Day trip to Güi Güi beach
Trek to the most secluded beach in Gran Canaria
Charlie had been on a few outdoor adventures in Gran Canaria, but there was one place still on her bucket list and it wasn’t easy to get to: Güi Güi beach. This little beach is on the west coast of Gran Canaria surrounded by cliffs, mountains and the ocean. There are only two ways to access it: on a boat or trekking over a mountain.
How to get to Güi Güi beach
Whilst there is an option to book a taxi boat to the beach, most visitors come over the mountain. There is an official hiking trail from the village of Tasartico that leads up a mountain and down on the other side. At the bottom you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful sandy beach. The beginning of the trail is clearly signposted and there is enough space along the road to park your car. It is highly recommended to drive to Tasartico. Charlie had tried it by bus, but the nearest bus stop (called Cruce de Tasartico) is about 3 miles away from Tasartico. This is the distance you would add on to the already challenging hike. Luckily, there was a taxi coming when Charlie was on her way back after the hike to bring her back up to the bus stop.
Charlie stayed in a Guesthouse near the town of Mogán from where she could take the bus to Cruce de Tasartico in the early morning. It took around 30 minutes, and it was still dark when she left the house. The bus only comes a few times per day, so you better plan well ahead how to get there and when. Charlie did the trip in January, and it was cold in the morning. She was happy to have a good jacket.
The bus drove along narrow roads in between mountains. The sky was clear in the early morning hours and Charlie could see plenty of stars. As it got gradually lighter, Charlie noticed the silhouettes of the trees on the top of the mountains. In the village of Veneguera, the bus driver stopped for a short time, just to have a chat amongst locals and they continued the journey towards La Aldea de San Nicolás. Charlie got off at Cruce de Tasartico where you also find the view point Mirador San Nicolás. She enjoyed the view over the whole valley as the sun rose and slowly shed light on the peaks. She was ready to walk the 3 miles down to the village of Tasartico. The road leads along the Barranco de Tasartico and you can see a few houses and plantations. There’s no phone signal.
Sendero playa Güi Güi
There is an official hiking path to the beach playa Güi Güi and you will see the signs along the road where you can also park the car. The first part of the path is quite flat, but it gradually gets steeper. At some point, it will feel more like a rock scramble than a hike. You should wear some good hiking boots with ankle support. Charlie did the hike in trainers which was doable, but she would have preferred something sturdier. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to the top and the view almost comes a bit as a surprise. Charlie started from Tasartico at about 9.15 am and the air was still quite fresh. The sun had just come up behind the mountains.
Up one side, down the other side
Once you reach the top, you see the path leading further down. You can see the ocean, but you won’t see the beach until you’re almost at the bottom. The way down too is quite steep and uneven. Once again, proper trekking shoes would have been a good option. That side of the mountain was still in the shade when Charlie was there, and she enjoyed the fresh air. This side also seemed a lot greener, and she could see butterflies dancing and hear the crickets chirping. At that time, there was only one other couple on the trail. Charlie enjoyed the quiet morning.
There are a few points where the path splits. It doesn’t matter which way you go as they always lead back to the same path anyways. You will reach one crossing of paths that is signposted. One direction leads to the town of Aldea, and the other direction towards Güi Güi beach. From this point onwards, the landscape and the vegetation change a bit. It gets greener the closer you get to the beach. It almost seems as if you are walking into a green oasis.
From this point on, the path is a bit harder to see and there are some arrows painted on the rocks to guide you in the right direction. Depending on the amount of rain the previous days, there could be some water running through the valley. If you see any wet bits, be careful as they also might be slippery. At some point, you’re about 15 minutes away from the beach, is a little house where you can get a coffee, tea or a lemonade. You’re now on the final stretch of the path that leads along palm trees and through bushes to the beach.
Güi Güi beach
Charlie reached the beach just before 12 and there were only a few people that had been camping there overnight. It was about one hour after low tide and the water levels were still low enough to walk to the neighbouring beach Little Güi Güi. Charlie did that first before she changed into her bikini and went for a swim. The water was lovely and refreshing after the challenging hike. She also felt that she could safely leave her backpack on the beach.
When she came out of the water, there were suddenly a lot more people on the beach than before. They must have been behind her on the trail.
Charlie stayed about one hour on the beach before she had to make her way back. She didn’t want to risk missing the last bus from Cruce de Tasartico.
The way back to Tasartico
The sun had by then reached its highest point and there was no shade anymore on the way up the mountain. Charlie was happy to have a scarf to protect her head. She noticed how her legs were tired and she had to be even more careful to not trip on the uneven path. The sun and the heat made it even more challenging. She made it back to Tasartico where she had a little break on a bench in the centre of the village. She still had to walk the 3 miles up to the mountain to the bus stop. She considered taking a taxi, but there was no reception. A few minutes later, she saw a taxi coming and she waved to hop in. It felt like a sign from heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get to Güi Güi beach?
You can reach Güi Güi beach via a hiking trail from the village of Tasartico. There is a parking space for the car at the beginning of the trail.
How difficult is the hike to Güi Güi beach?
It is a challenging hike that feels more like a rock scramble. There are no access points for cars along the hike where you could end the hike early.
Is there a bus stop near the trail?
The closest bus stop is Cruce de Tasartico which is 3 miles away from Tasartico. You walk along the road to the village. Keep in mind that it goes down towards Tasartico, but up the mountain to get back to the bus stop after the hike. If you don’t have a car, it is better to arrange a taxi and you should check the bus times in advance.
What type of clothes to wear?
You should wear sturdy hiking boots and outdoor clothing. Depending on the time of day when you start your hike, you should also bring warm clothes because it can be cold in the mountains at night and in the early morning. Bring your swimsuit if you want to go for a dip on the beach.
Can you buy food and drinks along the path?
There is a little coffee bar close to the beach, but there are no official shops. You should bring 3-4 litres of water and food.
Is there phone reception?
If you’re lucky, you get some signal at the top of the mountain, but you’re mostly outside of any network. If you need to check bus times or call a taxi, better do this in advance.
Can you get to the smaller beach Little Güi Güi?
You can walk from one beach to the other at low tide only. At high tide, it is not recommended to swim to the next bay because of the strong currents.
