Following my trip to Tenerife a few years ago, I knew that I had to come back to the Canary Islands. I love everything volcanic and everything Hispanic. Volcanoes, to me, represent the endless shaping power of nature and remind me how small we humans truly are. They teach humility while also revealing the Earth’s ancient stories. In just moments they can reshape an entire landscape or, as in the case of the Canary Islands, even create new islands in the middle of the ocean through volcanic activity along tectonic lines. The creative force of nature is incredible! 💫💥

Gran Canaria is a smaller island with several microclimates. In the south you find Maspalomas with its sand dunes. It’s really like a desert!

In the center of the island the highest peak rises: Pico de las Nieves at 1949 meters. My best day was without a doubt the day of my hike when I climbed to the summit. The trail starts among steep rock walls filled with aloe plants. Then after the barren rocky sections it leads through a forest all the way up to the peak. And needless to say, the view from the top is first‑class: I could even see Teide in the distance on the neighbouring island of Tenerife 😍

There are also some shorter treks and natural waterfalls coming down from the mountains, like at Los Azulejos. These are also excellent spots both for hiking and taking a dip. In a wonderful volcanic scenery!

The coastline holds also much beauty, especially around Agaete and Faro de Sardina. With the lava entering the ocean, many natural pools and formations are visible. The water here is crystal clear. The ocean has a refreshing temperature of ~18 degree’s but with the warm sunshine it just feels refreshing. These pools are truly nature’s wonder!

The only highlight I’ve missed was El Roque Nublo. A reason to come back one day 🙂 In any case, this island was for me the perfect place to start diving in more to the versatility of the Canary Islands’ group.