A waterfall hike in Gran Canaria beats the bus-and-back routine. You’ll head into the tropical forest feel of Barranco De Los Cernicalos with local guides, and along the way you get stories about the island’s people and nature, not just views. Inés and Juanjo (a knowledgeable local couple) turn a straightforward walk into something you’ll remember.

What I like most is the balance: it’s easy–medium but not a total stroll, and the route keeps moving for about 4 hours with stops. I also love the small-group size (max 6), because you get real guide attention and you’re not swallowed by a big crowd.

One thing to consider: this needs good weather, and the trek is long enough that it’s not recommended for children. Bring good shoes and expect some uneven ground.

Key things to know before you go

• Local guides in a small group (max 6), led by Inés & Juanjo
• Barranco De Los Cernicalos sits about 40 minutes from Maspalomas, and the scenery changes fast
• 8–9 km walk with about 300 m of unevenness, about 4 hours of hiking time
• Brunch sandwiches and fruit included, plus hiking poles if you need them
• No bottled water included (plan on bringing at least 1.5 liters)
• Good-weather only—you’ll be rescheduled or refunded if conditions cancel the hike

Sky Rebels and Barranco de Los Cernicalos: what makes it special

If you’re based around Maspalomas, this hike is a quick way to trade resort shortcuts for a more primal, greener Gran Canaria mood. Barranco De Los Cernicalos is about 40 minutes away, and the area shifts from the tourist strip into a rainforest-like feeling where the plants, the sounds, and the shade all do their part.

The biggest advantage is the guide-led approach. Inés and Juanjo run the experience with real enthusiasm, and the vibe in the reviews lines up with what I’d look for: someone who can explain what you’re seeing while you’re walking. You don’t just “reach a waterfall.” You learn what makes this kind of ravine and forest ecosystem tick—plus you get entertaining stories about local life and local nature along the way.

One practical note: it’s not sold as a beginner “stamp-collecting” walk. This is for people who want to move for a few hours and don’t mind that the trail has ups and downs.

Your 5.5-hour plan: timing, transport, and small-group pace

The day runs about 5 hours 30 minutes total, starting at 8:30 am. You’ll return to the meeting point at the end, and transport is handled via an air-conditioned vehicle.

The group size is capped at 6 travelers, which matters more than it sounds. With fewer people, the guide can slow down when the terrain or the viewing needs it, and you’re less likely to feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up. That small-group pace also makes it easier to ask questions when something piques your interest—plants, animals, the ravine environment, or the island itself.

The hike portion is about 4 hours of walking time with stops. That “with stops” detail is important: it means you’re not just grinding uphill the entire time. Expect the guide to break the walk up with pauses for stories, photo moments, and regrouping.

The waterfall hike route: 8–9 km, 300 m of unevenness, and real trail feel

The walking distance is 8–9 km, with unevenness of about 300 m. In plain terms: you’ll feel the hike, even if the official label is easy–medium. Think of it as a moderate hike where good footing matters.

Reviews describe the trail as moving through a jungle-like area up to a waterfall. That’s the heart of the experience—your payoff is not just a distant viewpoint. You’re walking far enough to feel like you earned it, with enough shade and “in-the-woods” character to make the effort worthwhile.

What to mentally prepare for:

• You’ll be on a real trail, not a paved path.
• Shoes matter. People specifically call out that it’s not a Sunday stroll.
• The guide will pace you, but you’re still walking for hours.

If you choose this, you should be comfortable with an active morning and willing to keep your energy steady for roughly 4 hours of hiking time, not counting the extra time for transport and the brunch.

What’s included (and how it changes the value of the day)

This is one of those hikes where “included” actually reduces your hassle. You’re not juggling half the day’s logistics yourself.

Included highlights:

• Air-conditioned vehicle to and from the area
• Brunch sandwiches and fruits during the experience window
• Hiking poles (if required), which is a big help on uneven terrain
• Admission ticket included
• Walking distance 8–9 km and hiking time is built into the plan
• Fees and taxes are covered

Why this matters for your day: when transport and food are handled, you can focus on the hike instead of trying to find a café on the fly or managing snacks and water logistics. Brunch also means you’re less likely to “hit a wall” mid-walk.

And because the hike is guided, the included stops aren’t dead time. They’re part of why the experience feels more than a generic nature walk.

What you need to bring: water, shoes, sun protection, and clothes

Here’s what’s not included, and it’s where you can make or break comfort.

Plan on bringing:

• At least 1.5 liters of water (bottled water isn’t provided)
• Proper hiking shoes
• Hiking clothes
• Sun protection

Even if you’ll be in a forest-like area, Gran Canaria sun still shows up. And since the tour requires good weather, you should assume you’ll be exposed to at least some bright conditions during your morning.

My practical advice: pack like you’re going for a real hike, not a casual walk. If you show up in flimsy shoes, you’ll feel the unevenness and your feet will pay for it. If you forget water, you’ll feel it fast—especially on a longer 8–9 km route.

Also bring a mindset for walking: the route includes uneven ground, and the day is longer than it looks on paper.

Inés and Juanjo’s guiding style: stories that make the hike click

The reviews consistently praise the guides, and the names matter: Inés and Juanjo. They’re described as friendly, entertaining, and informative, with a strong love for the island that comes through in how they explain what you’re seeing.

What you should expect from this style of guiding:

• Interesting stories tied to the places you’re passing
• Explanations about local nature and inhabitants (so the trail doesn’t feel like random greenery)
• A pace that works for an easy–medium hike without turning it into a race

This matters because waterfall hikes can go two ways. One version is “walk, arrive, photos, leave.” The better version is the one you get here: you learn while you move. When a guide can connect the ravine, the vegetation, and the island’s life to the trail in front of you, you experience the place more fully.

If you enjoy conversations while walking and you like understanding nature, this is a strong fit.

How hard is easy–medium, really, for most people?

Difficulty is listed as easy–medium, and the tour says travelers should have moderate physical fitness. It also specifically warns it’s not recommended for children due to the duration.

Here’s my direct translation of those details:

• If you can comfortably walk for a couple of hours on uneven ground, you’re probably fine.
• If your idea of hiking is mostly flat and short, you might find the 8–9 km and 300 m unevenness more demanding.
• Good shoes are non-negotiable.

The route is also described as “rather easy” by people who took it, but not a carefree stroll. So it’s “doable,” not “effortless.”

Who I’d recommend it to:

• Couples and small groups who want a guided morning hike
• Active travelers who like waterfalls but don’t want an all-day grind
• People staying near Maspalomas who don’t want to figure out local transport themselves

Price and value: is $98.52 a fair deal?

At $98.52 per person, this isn’t a bargain-basement walk. But when you break down what’s included, it starts to make sense.

You’re paying for:

• Guides (small group, max 6)
• Round-trip air-conditioned vehicle
• Brunch sandwiches and fruits
• Hiking poles if required
• Admission ticket included

That combination saves you from buying multiple things separately and reduces planning stress. Also, the guide time and small-group cap matter. A private-feeling experience is often where the real value is, even when the price looks a bit steep at first glance.

There’s also a practical cost-saving tip: you can save up to €12 on the Sky Rebels site. If that discount applies to your booking window, it’s worth checking before you finalize.

Weather and cancellations: the one variable you can’t ignore

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered either a different date or a full refund. The experience also depends on a minimum number of travelers, and if that minimum isn’t met, you’ll get a different date/experience or a full refund.

In other words: you have a safety net, but you shouldn’t book this last-minute with zero flexibility.

Should you book this waterfalls and rainforest hike?

Book it if you want:

• A guided hike with local storytelling led by Inés and Juanjo
• A morning plan that’s active but not extreme (8–9 km, easy–medium)
• A small-group experience where you don’t disappear into the crowd
• A day with food and transport included, so you can just show up ready to walk

Skip it (or choose something else) if:

• You can’t do uneven walking for a few hours
• You’re traveling with children and need something shorter and more flexible
• You don’t want to handle your own water and sun protection

My bottom-line take: this is a smart choice for people who like nature, short conversations with real locals, and a waterfall goal that’s earned by a proper hike.

FAQ

How long is the Sky Rebels hiking tour?

It’s about 5 hours 30 minutes in total.

Where is the hike located?

It’s in Gran Canaria, Spain, starting from Barranco De Los Cernicalos.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30 am.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

How far do you walk?

You’ll cover about 8–9 km total.

How difficult is it?

The difficulty is easy–medium, with about 300 m of unevenness. It’s suitable for travelers with moderate physical fitness.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, walking poles if required, brunch sandwiches and fruits, and an admission ticket.

Do I need to bring water?

Yes. Bottled water isn’t included. The recommendation is to bring at least 1.5 liters.

Is it suitable for children?

It’s not recommended for children due to the duration of the tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.