The climate and the terrain are an enormous advantage
for outdoor activities.
The four national parks of the Canary Islands,
their gorges and an extensive network of restored trails and paths
are just the setting for combining a bit of physical exercise with
contemplation.
The range of alternatives for going out into the
countryside is as wide as the natural treasures to be discovered
there. Volcanic caving, for example, attracts large numbers of fans
to the Islands due to the number of volcanic grottoes to be explored.
Traversing one of these, despite all the difficulties involved,
is rewarded with a view of the beautiful colour contrasts of the
lava walls.
Although most of the canyons in the Canary Islands
are dry, canyoneering will guarantee you a mixture of adventure,
an excursion, walks through water and mud, and rock climbing. This
sport, whose origins can be found in the damp caves of France and
Spain, has found a unique setting here in the Canaries. The best
sites are in the gorges of the Caldera de Taburiente in La Palma,
those of Masca and El Barranco del Infierno in Tenerife, plus the
Cedro Natural Park and its surprising mountain slopes covered with
laurel forests.
For the more daring, there is plenty of adrenaline
to be had while climbing, which is becoming more and more popular.
There are many different climbing clubs scattered around the provinces
of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
The type of rock formations to be found in the
Islands makes it possible to practice both classical and sports
climbing, and fans flock to the walls of Ayacata, in XX, Arico and
Tejina in Tenerife, and Roque Nublo, in Gran Canaria.
With a firm step.The extensive network of
walking trails in the main nature areas of the Canary Islands gives
visitors the chance to enjoy landscape and vegetation that are unique
in the world. Thanks to the fact that these tracks have been restored,
walking has become very popular with Central and Northern Europeans.
Whilst walking, you can enjoy yourself by observing
the lunar landscape rock formations of Tenerife, the Montaña
del Fuego in Lanzarote, or the botanical wealth of the laurel and
Canary Island pine forests.
Another way to cross the Canary countryside is
by walking non-stop, with well-defined goals, and that is what trekking
fans pursue. This is a different way to travel that consists of
exploring places that can only be reached on foot.
The bridges that cross the numerous gorges on the
Islands open up a whole range of possibilities for bungee jumpers.
This sport, whose origins date back to the 80's in France and Great
Britain, consists of jumping off a bridge with an elastic rope tied
to your waist and legs.
On wheels.The abundance of trails is also
an open invitation to try mountain biking or an excursion in a 4x4.
Pedalling in silence through unknown country, or following the forest
tracks that have been specially prepared for vehicles is another
way of bonding with nature. That is why all the Islands' visitors
can rent bicycles or other vehicles, as well as hiring the services
of a specialist guide.
And for those who love speed and strong emotions,
car races in the countryside are very popular in the Canaries where
many rally championships are held. In fact, Gran Canaria hosts the
prestigious Race of Champions every year, which attracts the top
professionals in the world.
You can also enjoy the scenery from horseback by
going to one of the increasingly popular riding schools in the Islands.
Archery, an ancestral art that is twenty thousand
years old, is another activity to be enjoyed in the countryside,
or in specially equipped centres. Although there are no areas dedicated
especially to archery, areas have been cordoned off and fitted out
for practising.
Ecological jewel.The four National Parks
are proof of the extraordinary natural wealth of the Canary Islands.
Las Cañadas National Park in Tenerife, contains the highest
peak in Spain, El Teide; Garajonay National Park in La Gomera, declared
a Mankind Heritage Site by UNESCO, has spectacular laurel forests;
the Caldera de Taburiente in La Palma is an extensive tapestry of
pines and tree heath; while the Island of Lanzarote, World Biosphere
Reserve as a whole, has the Timanfaya National Park.
Apart from these jewels, unique species of flora
and an amazing native fauna live together in a prodigious patchwork,
a factor that has made an undoubted contribution to the development
of rural tourism in all of the Islands.
Nowadays, the Canary Islands have a growing supply
of accommodation in traditional houses, the perfect complement for
lovers of outdoor activities.
GUIDE PRACTICE
Temperatures: Minimum 18ºC in January. Maximum
24,5ºC in July
Canary Speleology Federation: C/ San Sebastián,
76-1º piso Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tel: 922 22 72 55
Canary Climbing Federation: C/ Hero, 53.
Barrio de La Salud. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tel-fax: 922 22 57 17
Canary Climbing Delegation: Mary Sánchez,
18 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Tel: 928 29 06 52 Fax: 928 46 00 45
Canary Cycling Federation: C/ Pío
XII, s/n. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Tel-Fax: 928 23 10 66
Active Tourism Association of Canary Islands
(TUACAN) Tel: 922 30 14 75
