Maspalomas: Hiking in the Waterfalls with Sky Rebels

Barranco de los Cernícalos gives you a very different side of Gran Canaria. Instead of sun loungers and resort streets, you follow a watercourse into a green ravine, passing waterfalls, unusual plants, and quiet corners that feel far removed from Maspalomas. Inés and Juanjo, the native guides behind Sky Rebels, add family stories and local knowledge to the walk.

I like the small six-person limit, especially with two guides. I also like the food arrangement: sandwiches, local fruit, snacks, and chocolate turn a long morning on foot into a relaxed outing rather than a bare-bones hike. The main consideration is the route itself. It covers 8 to 9 km with about 300 metres of uneven ground, so easy to medium means manageable for active walkers, not effortless for everyone.

Key points at a glance

• Two native guides: Inés and Juanjo lead the walk in English or Spanish and connect the ravine to their own family history.
• A waterfall route near Maspalomas: You spend about four hours walking through Barranco de los Cernícalos, with scenic views and wildlife along the way.
• A true small-group outing: Six passengers maximum means plenty of room for questions and help on trickier sections.
• Local food included: Expect sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and chocolate, but bring your own water.
• More than a nature walk: The guides explain endemic plants and animals, traditional uses of local resources, and how people adapted to life in the ravine.
• Plan for proper hiking: Sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing, sun protection, and a reasonable level of fitness are essential.

Why Barranco de los Cernícalos feels so different

Gran Canaria is often sold through its beaches, dunes, and resort weather. This outing takes you inland, where the scenery changes quickly. The Barranco de los Cernícalos route follows water through a ravine, with rock, vegetation, and waterfalls replacing the dry, open views common in the south.

The setting is one of the strongest reasons to book. You get a closer look at the island’s plant and animal life, including endemic species found in Gran Canaria. The guides aim to introduce more than 300 species, so the walk is not just about reaching a waterfall and taking a picture.

I particularly like the way the tour links nature to daily life. Inés and Juanjo explain how local people used water, plants, and materials from the area. That can include more than medicinal plant use. You also learn how resources helped people make tools and adapt to the ravine.

This local angle gives the walk a human story. The guides’ relatives lived in the area, and they describe the ravine as part of their own lives. You are not simply being led from one viewpoint to the next. You are being shown a place that matters to the people guiding you.

The early pickup from Maspalomas

The day begins with pickup between 8:05 and 8:30, depending on your chosen meeting point. The options cover several useful parts of the south coast:

• Cruce Faro
• Faro de Maspalomas bus station
• Avenida Touroperador Neckermann
• Servatur Don Miguel
• Parque Tropical bus station
• Avenida de la Unión Europea in San Agustín

The exact order and timing matter, so you should choose the stop that matches your accommodation or transport plans. If you are coming from Puerto Rico or Puerto de Mogán by public bus, Cruce Faro is the suggested point. If you are driving, Avenida Touroperador Neckermann has free parking in the area. If you are coming from Las Palmas by public transport, Parque Tropical is the suggested pickup.

The van ride takes about 40 minutes each way. That is long enough to add useful travel time, but short enough that most of the day remains outdoors. The limited pickup area is a plus because the van is not spending hours crossing the island to collect people.

A practical tip: arrive early at your selected stop. There are several pickup points and narrow time windows, so this is not the morning to rely on a last-minute dash from your hotel room.

Four hours beside water and waterfalls

Once you reach Barranco de los Cernícalos, the main walk lasts about four hours, including stops. The full route covers roughly 8 to 9 km, with around 300 metres of unevenness. The pace is described as easy to medium, with enough time to stop for scenery, explanations, food, and wildlife.

The route’s appeal comes from variety. You follow the water uphill, pass through sections of natural scenery, and reach waterfalls that give the walk a clear goal. The path is not presented as a technical mountain route, but some sections can feel awkward underfoot.

That distinction matters. You do not need to be an expert hiker, yet you should be comfortable walking for several hours on uneven ground. One account describes a few tricky parts, including sections that can bother people who are nervous around heights. The guides provide clear instructions and help people through these spots.

You should bring proper hiking shoes, not smooth-soled trainers. Comfortable clothing, sun protection, and enough water are also required. The tour provides walking sticks, which can help with balance on uneven sections, but they do not replace sensible footwear.

The waterfall is the natural high point of the walk. Depending on recent conditions, water levels and the feel of the route can vary, but the outing is built around reaching the falls and enjoying the setting rather than racing through it. Give yourself permission to slow down. The point is to notice the plants, birds, rock formations, and small details along the way.

Inés and Juanjo make the walk personal

The biggest difference between this outing and a basic guided hike is the presence of two guides. Inés and Juanjo founded Sky Rebels in 2013, and their connection to the area shapes the day.

They explain the island in practical terms. You hear about endemic flora and fauna, but also about how people lived in the ravine and used what was available. Their family links make those stories more personal than a list of facts delivered from a printed script.

The tone is also intentionally light. You can expect jokes, creative storytelling, and playful moments alongside the nature information. One particularly memorable detail from the outing is a gecko encounter, and the guides are known for adding music and humor to the walk, including an Indiana Jones song.

That style will suit you if you enjoy an active day with conversation and personality. It may be less appealing if you want silent walking or a formal botany lesson. The tour clearly aims for a social, entertaining outing, not a quiet solo trek.

Two guides for no more than six passengers is a good setup. You get a small-group feel without being left alone at the back of a large line. It also gives the guides a better chance to adjust the pace, explain tricky sections, and answer questions.

What the food adds to the day

The price includes sandwiches, local fruit, snacks, and chocolate. That is useful on a four-hour walk, especially since the route has enough distance and uneven ground to make a midday bite welcome.

The food is not described as a full restaurant-style meal. Think of it as a light lunch and trail snacks. One vegetarian participant received a suitable option, but you should communicate dietary needs when booking rather than assume every preference is covered automatically.

Water is not included. This is the most important packing point. Bring enough for the entire hike, since the tour specifically requires you to provide your own supply. Sun protection also matters, even though parts of the ravine may feel cooler or more sheltered than the coast.

Food is not allowed in the vehicle, and alcohol and drugs are prohibited. You can eat the provided items during the appropriate stop, but keep your extra snacks for the walking portion rather than bringing them into the van.

Is $100 good value?

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a waterfall. You are paying for more than transport to a trailhead, though. The price covers a 330-minute outing, return van transfers from Maspalomas or San Agustín, two guides, a maximum group of six, walking sticks, sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and chocolate.

The small group is important to the value. A cheaper large-group walk may offer transport and a guide, but it is less likely to provide the same personal attention on uneven sections. With two guides and six passengers, the effective guide-to-passenger ratio is strong.

The local storytelling also adds something you cannot easily reproduce with a map. You could potentially reach parts of the ravine independently, but you would miss the explanations about endemic species, traditional resource use, and the guides’ family connection to the area.

I would consider the price fair for someone who wants a guided half-day in nature and does not want to arrange transport. It is less compelling if you already have a car, prefer to hike alone, or mainly want a short waterfall stop with little commentary.

The flexible booking terms help too. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those policies do not change the quality of the hike, but they make the booking easier to fit into a changeable holiday plan.

Who should book this hike?

This outing suits active adults, couples, friends, and solo participants who enjoy small groups. It is a good choice if you have already seen the resort side of Gran Canaria and want a greener, quieter setting with more local context.

You should be comfortable walking for around four hours. The route is rated easy to medium, but the 8 to 9 km distance and uneven ground still require effort. If you have a fear of heights, you may find a few sections challenging, although the guides provide help and instructions.

The activity is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people over 70. Those limits are worth taking seriously rather than treating them as casual suggestions. The route’s length, footing, and occasional tricky sections are the reason.

It is also a good match for people who care about plants and wildlife but do not want a dry lecture. You learn through stories, stops, and direct observation. The focus on more than 300 endemic species gives the day real substance, even if you are not a serious nature enthusiast.

Practical details to sort out before you go

The total duration is 330 minutes, or five and a half hours. About 80 minutes of that is transport, leaving around four hours for the hike and stops.

Bring:

• Proper hiking shoes
• Comfortable walking clothes
• Sun protection
• Enough drinking water

The guides provide walking sticks, sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and chocolate. The tour runs in English and Spanish.

Do not bring drones, alcohol, or drugs. Food is not permitted in the vehicle. Also check your pickup location carefully, since the six meeting points are spread across Maspalomas and San Agustín.

The small group size means places may be limited. If you want a particular date, booking ahead makes sense, especially because the activity has been receiving consistently strong feedback and uses only six passenger places.

Should you book Sky Rebels?

I would book this hike if you want a personal nature outing rather than a standard sightseeing transfer. The strongest reasons are the two native guides, the tiny group, the waterfall route, and the way the walk connects plants and wildlife with local life.

I would skip it if you want a very easy stroll, dislike uneven paths, need full accessibility, or would rather spend the day at sea level. Also remember that you must carry your own water and wear proper hiking shoes.

For most reasonably active adults staying in the south of Gran Canaria, this is a smart way to see a side of the island that the resort area cannot provide. You get scenery, local stories, food, transport, and a manageable dose of adventure in one morning and afternoon.

FAQ

How long does the Maspalomas waterfall hike last?

The full activity lasts 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours. The walking portion takes approximately four hours, with stops.

How far do you walk?

The route covers about 8 to 9 km.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike is rated easy to medium. It includes about 300 metres of unevenness and a few potentially tricky sections, so proper hiking shoes are required.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available at six points: Cruce Faro, Faro de Maspalomas bus station, Avenida Touroperador Neckermann, Servatur Don Miguel, Parque Tropical bus station, and Avenida de la Unión Europea in San Agustín.

Is transport included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from the listed locations are included, with a van ride of about 40 minutes each way.

Are food and drinks included?

Sandwiches, local fruit, snacks, and chocolate are included. Water is not included, so you must bring enough for the hike.

Who leads the hike?

The hike is led by Inés and Juanjo, native Gran Canaria guides and the founders of Sky Rebels. Tours are available in English and Spanish.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to a maximum of six passengers.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.