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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.
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| 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. |
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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.
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| 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
Canary Archery Federation:
C/ Méndez Nuñez, 67. Bajo. 38001 Santa Cruz
de Tenerife Tels: 922 27 06 31 922 28 83 25
Canary Archery Delegation:
C/ Canalejas, 23. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Tel: 928 38 01
64
Canary Rural Tourism Association:
Apartado de Correos 447. 38700 Santa Cruz de La Palma Tel:
922 43 06 25 Fax: 922 43 03 08 |
| WHERE TO PRACTICE
Garajonay National Park:
Information: C/ Real, 4. San Sebastián de La Gomera
Tel: 922 14 01 47
La Caldera de Taburiente
National Park: Visitors Centre: Ctra. General, s/n. 38750
El Paso. La Palma: Tel: 922 49 72 77
Las Cañadas del
Teide National Park: Information Office: Emilio Calzadilla,
5. 4ª planta. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tel: 922 29 0l 29
Timanfaya National Park
Montaña del Fuego: Tel: 928 84 00 57 |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION
Trekking Plan in Gran Canaria:
Cabildo Insular de Gran Canaria. C/ León y Castillo,
17 Tel: 928 36 22 22
Cycling Routes in Lanzarote:
Lanzarote Tourist Board Tel: 928 81 17 62
Servicio de Planes y Programas
de Educación Ambiental (Environment State Programs):
Ctra. de La Esperanza, s/n. La Laguna. Tenerife Tel: 922 63
04 88
De Faro a Faro. Trekking
Routes in Tenerife: For more information: Canary Climbing
Federation Tel: 922 22 57 17 |
| KEY EVENTS
Carrera de Campeones (International
rally) Place: Gran Canaria Date: December
Vuelta Cicloturística
a Gran Canaria (Cycle tour): For more information: Gran
Canaria Tourist Board Date: December |
Special thanks to The Consejería de
Turismo y Transportes del Gobierno de Canarias |
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