Getting off the usual tourist routes is another attractive alternative that the Canary Islands offer. Although the Islands are a great place to relax, the enormous potential of the landscape and the climate has also made them ideal for sports that combine action, excitement, calculated risk and contact with nature.

Complementary nature-related activities have found a new outlet in the Canaries, where warm temperatures and gentle rainfall encourage you to discover unspoilt areas that are ideal for alternative sports.

To get a different view of the Canary Islands, you can try trekking, volcanic caving, canyoneering, mountain biking, climbing, bungee jumping, archery or excursions in 4x4's.

If what you are looking for is to sail the skies on the bountiful trade winds, then you have a choice of parachuting, paragliding, hang gliding, flying in light aircraft or ultra-lights. The Canary Island coasts are also perfect for divers, surfing, windsurfing or sailing enthusiasts; the wealth of the volcanic sea bottom and the quality of the waves are unbeatable.

To discover this world of possibilities, there is a broad range of accommodation available: apartments in the main holiday resorts, top class hotels and traditional houses that have been converted into rural hostels and inns.

The beauty of the volcanic caves, the unique gullies and streams, or the wealth of the native flora are just some of the attractions to be discovered by those who love trekking, caving or mountain biking. These are just some of the activities that enable you to come into direct contact with nature and discover the most inaccessible spots, hidden in the folds of the mountain slopes and woods of the Islands. A genuine treasure trove within your reach.

The unique terrain of the Canary Island coastline and the amazing volcanic sea beds, which are home to more than three hundred species of fish, make this a paradise for divers and other water sports lovers. The great expanse of the Islands' beaches attracts large numbers of sportsmen, who flock to take part in the international surfing and windsurfing events that are held every year in Fuerteventura, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

The constant winds that prevail in the south of the Islands, along with the special characteristics of the skies, are some of the other factors that make it possible to enjoy many forms of aerial activities. Paragliding especially has lots of fans here, although there are also parachuting, ultra-lights and hang gliding. All these sports guarantee you a bird's eye view of the fascinating landscape, with its myriad contrasts.

Special thanks to The Consejería de Turismo y Transportes del Gobierno de Canarias