This guide, the fourth in a series of five to the Canary Islands, offers 45 walks including a five-day coast-to-coast route on the long-distance GR 131 - an island-hopping trail that stretches across all seven of the Canaries. All routes span a wide range of habitats and climatic types, and some are traditional island routes linking several villages. Shorter walks can be linked to create your own longer itineraries. Gran Canaria is one of the world's most popular holiday destinations but despite this it offers many peaceful and charming rural locations for walkers. Its central area is protected as a huge Parque Natural, and the island is criss-crossed by a network of new signposted trails. Its rugged uplands are dominated by prominent towers of rock, while it also features impressive, deep barrancos, extensive pine forests and amazing cliff coastlines. Suitable for a variety of abilities, the guide's walks vary from short and easy to long and arduous. Each walk gives information on access (predominantly using the island's good bus services), details of places offering food and drink and notes on the interesting features passed along the way.