FAQ's
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I'm having trouble locating the latest Discovery Guides map - where can I purchase it from? +
You can contact me using the 'Contact Us' link above. Alternatively, browse to the 'Maps & Terrain' page and scroll down for a full updated list of where to purchase the latest Discovery Walking Guide map. -
How do I buy the guides ? +
To order my guides, please use either the contact form, which you can find at the end of the main menu above, or any of the 'BUY GUIDES' buttons which you can find on almost every page. I will then reply to you as soon as I am able. -
How can I pay ? +
I accept payment via Paypal and Bank transfer.. or if you are visiting Gran Canaria, I accept cash ! Once I have received your order, you will receive details of my PayPal account - or any other payment details that you require - (I check and reply to my emails approx 360 days of the year)! If you wish to pay by Debit/Credit card, then please note that it is quite easy to pay money into my PayPal account by credit or debit card, without actually having a PayPal account yourself. Please notify me if you want this option. I would then send you a PayPal invoice with my PayPal account details - this you can then pay using your Visa or MasterCard (or one or two others), without any expense to yourself. If you have any further questions re. payment, then please contact me directly -
Which guide is the correct one for me to buy ? +
The guides are written to complement each other, but not duplicate each other. Volume 1 has the shorter options (half day walks) with a great amount of local information for everyone. Volume 2 has the longer options, full day walks, but I have not duplicated the local information from Volume 1. All walks in both guides need all the correct equipment. I would recommend purchasing both PDF versions for most hikers. Both guides contain over 100 A4 pages of information about hiking in Gran Canaria. The printed guides are in full colour and are the same as the PDF versions, not bound books. If you only want to purchase a guide to explore Gran Canaria by foot and by car, then Volume 1 would be the guide for you. -
I purchased your guide(s) a few years ago, when will I need to purchase updated versions ? +
If your copy of my guide(s) is over three years old, I would recommend that now is a good time to update. All walks in both guides now have much better maps than a few years ago, all maps are now based on the Discovery Walking Guides Map. The information sections in both guides now include more walking possibilities. Several walks have been replaced by better or more accessible options. All of the latest signpost information is now included in each individual walk. Both guides were updated fully in December 2018, although it is not essential to purchase an updated guide, but it is recommended to obtain all of the latest information. -
Is it true that most walks on Gran Canaria are now signposted ? +
During the last few years, the Cabildo (Island council) has signposted many walking routes, especially in the centre and north of the island. These signposts are good, but the intermediary marking is often poor. The Cabildo has not yet produced any literature to go with these routes, although some good maps have been erected on a few routes. One client last year tried to navigate several routes with the new signposts and DWG map, but half way through their walking holiday they contacted me to purchase my guides, saying that they still needed some descriptive text to help with their navigation. -
Do I need a GPS to be able to do the walks in your guides ? +
No, you do not need a GPS, but I have included GPS waypoints for those clients who do use GPS technology. I strongly recommend taking a good map (such as the DWG map of Gran Canaria) a compass and a copy of my walking notes. All walks have downloadable GPX tracks and waypoints available for those clients who are more technically minded. -
When is the best time of year to hike in Gran Canaria ? +
Most of the year is good for walking in Gran Canaria. However if you want serious strong walks, the summer months are best avoided as from Mid June to Mid September it can get very hot, especially in the southern mountains with temperatures of over 30 degrees. October to Christmas can be good, but many parts of Gran Canaria will not be at their greenest as several months will have passed without any real rain. January to March is the most popular time. This is almond blossom time, followed by other fruit blossoms soon afterwards. April to June will see many wild flowers all over the island, and is my favourite time for walking here. -
Guided walks or self-guided walks ? What are the benefits of each ? +
If you want lots of chatting and socialising on your walks, then guided walks are for you. If you want to explore and investigate Gran Canaria at your own pace, then self-guided walking is for you. -
I suffer from Vertigo - will this be a problem for me ? +
You must choose your walks carefully. The terrain here in Gran Canaria is rocky and mountainous, especially in the south and centre, so if you have serious vertigo problems there would be certain walks I would not recommend. All walks in my guides do mention if a section is vertiginous. Some paths feel much more vertiginous depending if you are ascending or descending. I do suffer from vertigo myself, but have done all walks in my guides without any problems. -
I would like to stay in rural accomodation - do you have any good recommendations ? +
There are several very good rural hotels, I have a list of them which I would be happy to e-mail to you. There are also many good rural houses (Casas Rurales) for rent. Read More -
What is the weather like in the mountains - does it get cold ? +
The weather in the mountains can be very variable. In winter (December to February) on some days there will be frost in the high mountains, especially those that face north. There could be the odd storm during the winter months, and even some snow. I always advise dress like an onion as you cannot guarantee the weather, despite what the holiday company adverts say. -
What is the minimum equipment and clothing that I should take with me on a walk ? +
I will state the obvious, never go into the mountains expecting the weather to be the same as on the south coast. It could be single figures walking around Roque Nublo, but 25 degrees in Maspalomas. Always have good solid footwear, and extra layers of clothes to put on if necessary. I always advise hikers to dress like an onion as you cannot guarantee the weather.
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