Gran Canaria, The Canary Islands

Alex Greenwood, our European Product Manager, recently headed out with the latest GPS to set up an exciting new programme of walks in Gran Canaria.

“I chose Gran Canaria on purpose to trial out the new GPS system because, of all the amazing places I travelled last year, it was the place that I would most want to revisit. I’ve travelled all over the US but I wish I’d known at the time that Gran Canaria existed a short flight away, because it gives some of those great national parks a run for their money.

We’re based in the pretty little port town of Puerto de Mogán, about 10 minutes walk away from the sandy beach. NASA astronauts calculated that Puerto de Mogán has the most reliable sunny and dry climate in Europe. Just 20km away at the heart of the island, the scenery gets bigger, higher (the highest point is 1,950m) and just enthralling: huge panoramas, lush oases and majestic rock formations. It’s a combination that’s hard to beat: world-class walking at the top of the world, then back home for a swim and a beer in the sun.

I was introduced to Gran Canaria by Juan Carlos, a fantastic and passionate guide. I’m really pleased that in 2012, he’ll be walking with our groups on a couple of days each week to pass on all his amazing knowledge. I don’t think that there’s anything he doesn’t know about the island.

It’s really hard to sum up how fantastic the scenery is in Gran Canaria without retreating into so many superlatives it becomes meaningless. I will just mention what my colleague said to me after our first day’s walking: “Thank you so much for bringing me here. That might be the best walk I’ve ever done”.

For me the only question now is, when can I find an excuse to go back?”

Find out more information about our holidays on Gran Canaria here.