2.5-Hour Morning Off-Road Buggy Tour Gran Canaria

The hills above Maspalomas, where the buggy tour begins

Most visitors know Maspalomas for its dunes and long beaches, but just behind the resort the land rises quickly into dry volcanic hills cut by ravines. This is where your Gran Canaria buggy tour starts: after hotel pickup our team drives you to the buggy base in Sonnenland, on the edge of Maspalomas, for a safety briefing and a short practice before the convoy sets off.

The first stretch follows dirt tracks above the resort, so within minutes the hotels give way to cardón cactus, tabaiba shrubs and wide views back to the Atlantic. The tracks are bumpy and dusty rather than technical, which makes them a good fit for drivers with no off-road experience. Your instructor sets the pace at the front and stops the group whenever there is a view worth a photo.

Fataga ravine, the valley of a thousand palms

The Barranco de Fataga is one of the most dramatic ravines in the south of Gran Canaria. Millions of years of erosion have cut deep into layers of volcanic rock, leaving steep ochre and brown walls, and at the bottom lies a ribbon of palm groves and small farms. The village of Fataga, with its whitewashed houses and church, sits in the middle of the valley and is often called the valley of a thousand palms.

On this off-road buggy tour the route heads in the direction of Fataga and stops at a viewpoint over the ravine, the best place for photos of the cliffs and palm groves. If you have been looking for a Fataga tour from Maspalomas that feels like an adventure rather than a coach trip, this is it: you arrive under your own power, covered in a little dust, with the whole ravine spread out below you.

Ayagaures, a quiet valley of reservoirs and peaks

North of Maspalomas the tracks drop into the valley of Ayagaures, a small rural settlement surrounded by rugged volcanic mountains. Two reservoirs collect the rare winter rain here, and after a wet spell the valley floor turns surprisingly green, with palms, reeds and scattered farmhouses below the bare peaks.

The convoy takes its break in this area, so you can step out of the buggy, take photos and enjoy the silence of the inland south, far from the beaches. Ayagaures is not on most sightseeing routes, which is part of its charm: a short buggy ride from the resorts brings you into a landscape that feels remote. From here the route turns back over the hills towards Maspalomas.

Driving the buggy: what to expect

Each buggy has two seats, a roll cage and seat belts and simple controls. The driver must hold a valid driving licence with at least one year of experience, and the passenger can be an adult or a child from about one metre tall, roughly five years old. You can switch drivers during the tour at no extra cost, so couples and friends both get time at the wheel.

The tracks are 100% off-road, so expect dust, bumps and plenty of fun. Goggles are provided; a scarf or buff for the dust is a good idea because dust masks are not included. Wear closed shoes and comfortable clothes you do not mind getting dirty, and bring your driving licence: without it you can ride only as a passenger.

Pickup areas and how the morning works

Pickup is included from the main south coast resorts: Bahía Feliz, San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Arguineguín, Puerto Rico, Taurito and Puerto de Mogán. The exact pickup point and time are confirmed the day before. Bookings made less than 24 hours in advance may be given the nearest meeting point instead of a hotel pickup.

After the tour, the standard drop-off returns guests directly to Bahía Feliz, San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Sonnenland and Meloneras; guests staying further west are dropped at a nearby taxi stop or public transport point. With transfers, the whole experience takes about three hours, so you are back at the beach by lunchtime.