Gran Canaria is a beautiful island with a diverse landscape and offers many opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking. Hiking is a great way to spend time with your family, enjoy nature and get some exercise. However, hiking with young children can be a bit challenging, but with the right preparation and mindset, it can be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone. In this article we give you some tips for hiking with young children and at the end of the article you’ll find recommendations from community members on where to go hiking.
Preparation
Before heading out on a hike, it’s important to make sure that you and your children are properly prepared. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Dress appropriately: make sure that everyone is dressed in comfortable clothes and shoes that are suitable for hiking. It’s also a good idea to bring extra layers in case the weather changes.
- Pack essentials: bring enough water and snacks for everyone, as well as a first aid kit and a map or GPS device. It’s also a good idea to bring a small backpack to carry everything in.
- Plan ahead: choose a hike that is appropriate for your children’s age and ability level. It’s also a good idea to check the weather forecast and trail conditions before you go.
On the trail
Once you’re on the trail, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the hike as enjoyable as possible for everyone:
- Take it slow: young children may not have the same stamina as adults, so be prepared to take frequent breaks and go at a slower pace.
- Make it fun: encourage your children to explore and discover new things along the way. You can also play games or make up stories to keep them engaged.
- Be flexible: be open to changing your plans if the hike becomes too difficult or if the children are getting tired. It’s better to have a shorter, more enjoyable hike than a longer one that becomes a struggle.
Hiking with young children in Gran Canaria
Hiking with young children in Gran Canaria can be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone. With the right preparation and mindset, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and spend quality time with your family. Remember to take it slow, make it fun and be flexible. Happy hiking! If you’re looking for hikes that you can easily reach by public transport from Las Palmas, check this article.
Please note that these are answers and recommendations from community members and their personal experiences. Answers can be slightly edited for clarity.
Any hiking routes in Gran Canaria for young children?
We would usually walk north from Playa del Confital, which is perfect but we’ve been there so many times that we’d like to see some other places.
You can border Caldera de Bandama in approximately 1 hour or 1.5 hours. Also going up Montaña de Gáldar (you can see it from Las Canteras) is short, not steep, and you can see views of the north coast.
Barranco de Guiniguada is great if you have a baby carrier, otherwise it could be a little bit of challenge for a two years old since the path is quite uneven. In my experience, when kids are at this age it is better to pick a spot and make it a base. Then let kids explore around it. Here is a nice one near by, Barranco De Santa Brigida La Angostura Y Las Meleguinas. Make sure you drive from the direction of GC-321, it is complicated to get down from GC-320.
Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo is also nice and then there is also Finca de Osorio.
You can hike from Barranco de Guiniguada (Triana) to Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo. Check the trail on Wikiloc.
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