Las Palmas guide to adventure holidays
A friendly, green island, of mountains and beaches, volcanoes and forest, the island of Las Palmas is packed with adventurous things to do. With villas in Las Palmas both on the coast and away from it all, a holiday in Las Palmas is ideal in both summer and winter with some great activities to try both on land and water.
With Las Palmas often regarded as the prettiest of the Canary Islands, the climate here is suitable for a range of outdoor and water-based sports and leisure pursuits, not too cold in the winter and not too hot in the summer. Located in the Atlantic Ocean 200 kilometres west of Morocco, Las Palmas is the least developed and unspoilt of the five main holiday islands.
With tourism development strictly controlled, the natural environment here is well worth exploring, with a range of flora and fauna to be discovered. This is one of the reasons why Las Palmas is very popular for walkers. With routes for a range of abilities there is a choice of treks available. Thousands of walkers each year are drawn to Las Palmas stunning coast and spectacular rural scenery. There are a large choice of walks around the island, and while experienced walkers often plan their own routes and go off wherever they choose, the less experienced can join a range of walking groups to explore Las Palmas.
Local companies on the island specialise in organising walking treks, which can vary in length and style. One of the most popular walking routes on Las Palmas is the Volcano Route. It covers two volcanoes and includes some stunning views of the island and sea. Trails are well marked and include plenty of information points and different sections of the route are suitable for all abilities.
When hiking in the high mountain ranges on Las Palmas it is important to be aware of the weather. There can sometimes be strong winds, and summits can be covered in clouds. It could be sunny on one side of a mountain, but completely clouded over on the other. In all the summits, ridges, valleys and coast of Las Palmas are simply stunning, and exploring the vast range of wildlife and flora on foot is truly the best way around this magical island.
Being a volcanic island, much of the coast of Las Palmas has a diverse and visually impressive geology. There are a variety of places to explore via a kayak excursion, as guided coastal tours by canoe can be incredibly enjoyable and exciting at times. With a coastline of 155 kilometres, there are plenty of volcanic canyons, caves and arcs to explore.
With good clean winds from the Atlantic, flights to Las Palmas are popular for a range of water and wind sports. Sailing around Las Palmas offers visitors the chance to discover the great variety of exotic sea life around the Canary Islands. Sailing tours can combine fast paced adventure and also fun and relaxation. For surfing, the Playa Nueva beach near Puerto Naos offers good swells, while the Playa los Nogales is regarded as a top summer beach for surfing.
For the thrills of the deep sea, head to Tazacorte harbour. From here boats will take visitors on some fascinating deep sea fishing trips. If you just want to watch nature and not catch it, then there are also plenty of boat trips that feature dolphin watching, often with meals on board, giving you the chance to witness some spectacular sunsets and hidden coves.
