The big mistake with the Canary Islands is to imagine they are all about beaches, blue seas and busy seaside resorts. While the islands have plenty of these - plus virtually guaranteed, year-round sunshine - they also have some terrific walking country. And many of the best hotels in the Canary Islands for walking holidays ensure not only easy access to walks and views but also a more authentic slice of Canarian life.

Flickr user Alexis Martin

As volcanic islands, their interiors offer dramatic scenery from ancient calderas, rugged peaks and stark rock formations to lush, pine-clad hills and acres of almond blossom. These landscapes are a walker’s paradise; the adventurous can even aim for Mount Teide, Spain’s highest mountain (3718 metres), on Tenerife. The perfect peak of Teide is surrounded by a moonscape of dusty-red, volcanic, rock formations in what is Spain’s largest national park.

There are equally dramatic landscapes on Lanzarote where the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya and the Parque Natural de Los Volcanes offer a series of volcanoes, calderas and lava fields. By contrast, La Palma - the greenest island - is often considered to be the prettiest with a lush natural beauty while Fuerteventura offers vast natural sand dunes and open plains dotted with cacti, scrub and goats.

Flickr user Jack Montgomery

For variety, take a look at Gran Canaria, often referred to as a ‘continent-in-miniature’ due to its varied landscapes from pine-clad hills to rugged and dramatic mountains. One lovely area for walking is in the Guayadeque Ravine with its lush vegetation.

Tiny La Gomera offers perhaps some of the Canary Islands’ finest walking, with its ravines, forests and high cliffs - and with fewer visitors you really can get away from it all. Or for a true escape, head to El Hierro, the smallest island of the group, with a stark volcanic interior, high cliffs and slow pace of life.

Use our guide to 10 of the Best hotels in the Canary Islands for walking holidays and start to plan your active break. If you already know which island you want to visit, simply click the link to get the full list of recommended hotels for walkers in that location.

10 of the Best Hotels in the Canary Islands for Walking Holidays

The Best Hotels for Walkers on Lanzarote

• Cool and stylish, with a Moroccan theme, the six villas of Casa Tomarén, right in the centre of the island, are a great choice for families or groups of friends - villas sleep up to eight - on a walking holiday. Breakfast-only but there’s a self-service bar by the outdoor pool.
• The owners of Finca Malvasia are happy to organise walking trips for guests. These four self-catering villas, set in a working vineyard, are a modern take on Canarian architecture and offer mountain views and a relaxed atmosphere.

The Best Hotels on Tenerife for Walking Holidays

• In a perfect location in the mountains near Teide National Park, the rooms - most with balconies - at Hotel Villalba enjoy stunning views. Rooms are unpretentious, plus there’s an indoor pool.

The Best Hotels for Walking Holidays on Gran Canaria

• With walks on the doorstep, Hotel el Mondalon, a traditional finca with rooms with exposed-stone walls and wooden floors, is a good family choice. Most rooms have a private terrace plus there’s a pool.
• High in the heart of the island Parador Cruz de Tejeda is surrounded by craggy, tree-cloaked mountains and enjoys spectacular views. The 86 rooms are crisp and contemporary plus there’s a pool and spa. An excellent choice if you want days of relaxation as well as walking.

The Best Hotels for Walkers on La Gomera

• With walks on the doorstep and gorgeous views over the Hermigua Valley, Hotel Rural Ibo Alfaro offers traditionally furnished rooms - some with exposed-stone walls - a terrace and gardens for relaxing after a day’s hiking. A great-value choice.
• Also overlooking the Hermigua Valley, and equally good value, Casa Los Herrera is a family-run guesthouse with charming, traditionally furnished rooms and a small pool.

The Best Hotels for Walking Holidays on Fuerteventura

• Far away from the seaside resorts, and close to the Malpais de la Arena for good walks, Mahoh is a traditional Canarian guesthouse with exposed-stone walls and tiled floors; simple and charming, and great value.

El Hierro's Best Hotels for Walking Holidays

• In a remote location at the foot of the cliffs and on a beach, Parador de El Hierro is well-placed for both coastal, clifftop walking and hikes in the interior. Rooms are comfortably traditional; the best have sea views.

If you haven't spotted your idea of the perfect place to stay on the Canary Islands on our Guru's list of 10 of the best hotels in the Canary Islands for walking holidays you could:

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay on the Canary Islands?
• Or refine your search by island and consider only the best places to stay on Gran Canaria? or the best places to stay on Tenerife? or the best places to stay on Lanzarote?
• Or you could refine your search by the kind of hotel you fancy and check out our Guru's recommendations for the 10 of the Best Beach hotels in the Canary Islands? or for 7 Great Guesthouses and B&Bs in the Canary Islands? or the 12 of the Best Rural Hotels in the Canary Islands?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

10 of the Best Hotels in the Canary Islands for Walking Holidays

 

Written by Helen Pickles

posted Sunday, 9th April 2023