The
Canaries - How to choose one! by Ros Brawn .
The
Canaries - How to choose one! by Ros Brawn
The typical television image that springs to mind is one of beaches, bars and nightlife. The Canary Islands have all this, if you want it, but they offer a wealth of different experiences, particularly for walkers, ramblers and trekkers.
There are seven islands, each with a distinct personality. If you are interested in a walking holiday on one of the islands (or even a holiday with a little walking) these brief factfiles should help you reach the right choice for you.
TENERIFE for
the holidaymaker: - a wide choice of package holidays, flights,
resorts, trips, accommodation, beaches, entertainment, nightlife,
shopping, culture, restaurants. The island with everything from
its 'tabloid' image up to top hotels and stunning landscapes.
Mount Teide is the highest mountain in Spain and a must to visit.
For the walker - a vast
choice of walking from strolls to challenging hikes on coasts,
hinterland and in the mountains.
Wild volcanic scenery and desert landscapes, ancient forests,
lush subtropical flowers.
Good access by bus/taxi/hire car.
Good guide books available.
LA GOMERA for
the holidaymaker: - beginning to wake up to tourism, but still
unspoilt; see it now.
Choice of packages. Accommodation in the few coastal resorts,
where bars/restaurants, modest shops but little nightlife is
found. Short ferry hop from Tenerife. Limited public transport.
For the walker - offers everything from easy strolls
to real challenges for experts. Unbeatable wild natural
landscapes, mountains and ravines, old forests and unique plant
life.
Highly recommended, our favourite island.
LA PALMA for
the holidaymaker: - quiet, mostly uncommercialised, relaxing, but
limited choice of packages/flights and accommodation. Good for
the more independent traveller.
For the walker - all
types of walker will be well rewarded; unspoilt, varied strolls,
walks and long hikes. Excellent dramatic mountainous scenery, unspoilt flora and
fauna.
Choice of guide books. Access to some walks by hire car or taxi,
some areas served by buses.
GRAN CANARIA for
the holidaymaker: - good choice of package holidays, good public
transport; several main resort areas offering large choice of
hotels, bars, restaurants, shops, entertainment, etc.
For the walker - plenty
of choice of walks from beginner to expert. Many routes
accessible by public bus. Ancient volcanic formations on a giant
scale form the breathtaking central area, sliced by ravines and
dotted with old hamlets.
Various guide books available.
LANZAROTE for
the holidaymaker: - plenty of packages and flights, several main
resorts with hotels, apartments, bars, restaurants,
entertainment, etc.
For the walker - a
surprising range of walks for such an arid island.
Has a distinct personality of neat white and green villages set
in stark black volcanic rock, with a softer, damper tip to the
north of the island.
FUERTEVENTURA for the holidaymaker: - watersports, watersports, beaches, beaches. Most people choose this island for these reasons only. Plenty of packages/flights/accommodation/nightlife. Considered by many to be a young, singles destination.
For the walker - limited appeal, though some guidebooks cover it. A harsh desert landscape without much variety to ease the eye.
EL HIERRO
for
the holidaymaker: - a few organised packages exist. Takes a
little effort to get there (no direct flights to the UK, transfer
from Tenerife) but efforts will be rewarded. Quiet, quaint,
quirky, uncommercialised (although excellent cheeses and wines).
Good for independent, inquisitive travellers. Hire car/taxi
recommended.
For the walker - an
unforgettable experience. Lusher than the other islands (most
westerly), has rolling landscape of gentle beauty punctuated with
some dramatic cliffs and long views. Very few guide books
available.
WALKING THE CANARIES A
few tips which apply to all the islands: - Go between late
September and mid-June; it is very hot in summer. - All the
islands are largely undeveloped and unspoilt away from the
tourist resorts. - In most cases they represent good value.
Get your guide books/maps before you go so that you arrive with
some idea of what to expect and what you want to do and see.
FACTFILE Ros Brawn of Discovery Walking Guides is co-author and co-researcher of most of the "Warm Island" Walking Guide titles, along with David Brawn. We guarantee that if we include a walk in a guide, we’ve actually done it, usually several times, including false trails, getting lost and a few blisters to prove it. When not visiting England or researching on a warm island somewhere, we are resident in the Canaries, and have good local knowledge of the islands. In addition to our Walking Guides see our "Tour & Trail" 1:40,000 scale map series and "Bus & Touring" Maps. See details of all our publications on http://www.walking.demon.co.uk/index.htm or send C5 SAE for our current Newsletter/Catalogue to:
Discovery Walking Guides Ltd. 10 Tennyson Close Northampton NN5 7HJ