The Canary Islands’ paradisiacal and contrasting landscapes have enraptured visitors for centuries. In Greek mythology, they were known as the Fortunate Islands, a place inhabited by the resting heroes of the age. This Collection invites you to these magical islands, not to rest, but to hike, discover and explore.

In this Collection, we present four of the best routes on the archipelago’s largest islands, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, as well as two trails on La Graciosa, a small but beautiful island just 30 minutes by ferry from Lanzarote. Narrowing our selection down to these six was difficult, as there are so many glorious hikes. Yet each of them allows you to discover the sheer variety on offer in the Canaries. Along the way, you’ll discover beautiful beaches, imposing ravines, native pine forests and staggering, otherworldly rock formations – the result of the islands’ volcanic birth.

There’s something for everyone, from short, easy hikes to long expeditions that demand a good level of fitness. Wear comfortable hiking footwear and take spare layers to cope with the islands' famous microclimates. It’s important to bring a cap or hat, sunscreen, trekking poles, plenty of water and snacks to fuel your endeavours. Packing lots of food and drink is particularly important, since almost none of the routes visit places where you can stock up.

Most of these hikes can be done in any season, as the Canary Islands boast good weather all year round, with warm winters and cool summers. However, keep in mind that on Teide you may encounter snow in winter, which can cause difficulties.

The best way to access most of these routes is by car, though in some cases you can also reach the start points by bus (guagua), however, this can take a long time and involve multiple changes. We provide more information in the individual Tour descriptions. Handily, all the routes, aside from Teide, are loops, meaning you end where you started, which makes planning easier.

We wish you lots of fun on your adventures and we’re confident that these routes will have you falling in love with las Islas Afortunadas – the Fortunate Islands.

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Co-financed by the European Union