Maspalomas Sand Dunes Walk With Kids: Our Family Route From RIU to Playa del Inglés

If you’re visiting Gran Canaria with kids, walking across the Maspalomas sand dunes is an absolute must. It’s completely free, utterly spectacular, and the kids will talk about it for years. We walked from the RIU Maspalomas viewpoint all the way across to Playa del Inglés — about 2.5 kilometres of golden, rolling dunes with the Atlantic Ocean shimmering on the horizon.

The Maspalomas Dunes Special Nature Reserve covers around 400 hectares in the south of Gran Canaria. The dunes were formed thousands of years ago from crushed coral and shells carried by wind and ocean currents. They’re a protected ecosystem and one of the Canary Islands’ most iconic landscapes. Walking through them with your family is like stepping onto another planet.

Our Route: RIU Maspalomas to Playa del Inglés

We started our walk from the viewpoint near the RIU Palace Maspalomas hotel, on the western side of the dunes. From here you get an incredible panoramic view across the entire dune field before you even step onto the sand. The path drops down from the raised walkway and within minutes you’re completely surrounded by rolling dunes in every direction.

The route is roughly west to east. There’s no marked trail — you simply pick your way through the dunes heading towards the ocean and the buildings of Playa del Inglés visible in the distance. The walking takes around 45 minutes to an hour with kids, depending on how many times they stop to roll down the dunes (hint: many times).

What the Kids Loved

The absolute highlight for our children was the sheer scale of it. Standing on top of a high dune with nothing but sand in every direction makes you feel like you’re in the middle of the Sahara Desert. Our son spent most of the walk climbing to the highest point of every dune and posing on the ridge like a tiny explorer.

The younger children loved sliding and rolling down the steeper dune faces. The sand is fine and soft, so there’s no risk of scrapes. Just be prepared for sandy everything — hair, ears, pockets, shoes. We quickly learned that going barefoot was much easier than trying to keep shoes sand-free.

Practical Tips for Families

Best Time to Go

Early morning (before 10am) or late afternoon (after 4pm). The midday sun makes the sand scorching hot underfoot and there’s absolutely no shade anywhere on the dunes. We went around 5pm and the light was beautiful with long shadows — perfect for photos too.

What to Bring

Water is essential — bring at least 500ml per person. There’s nowhere to buy anything once you’re on the dunes. Sun cream and hats are non-negotiable even in winter. We also brought a small backpack for phones and wallets so our hands were free. Leave the buggy at the hotel — wheels don’t work on sand.

Footwear

Barefoot is best. Trainers fill with sand immediately and flip-flops are worse. If the sand is too hot, lightweight sandals with straps work OK, but honestly bare feet are the way to go. The sand is soft and clean.

How to Get There

If you’re staying in Maspalomas, you can walk to the dune entrance from most hotels. The main access points are near the Maspalomas Lighthouse (Faro de Maspalomas) at the western end, or from the Playa del Inglés side. We started near the RIU hotels where there’s a raised viewpoint walkway — this is the best starting point as you get the spectacular overview first.

Important: Respect the Nature Reserve

The Maspalomas dunes are a protected Special Nature Reserve. Please stick to the open sandy areas and avoid walking through any vegetation. The scrubby plants between some dunes are vital habitat for endemic species including the Gran Canaria giant lizard. Take all rubbish with you and don’t disturb any wildlife.

The Verdict

This was genuinely one of the highlights of our entire Gran Canaria holiday. It’s free, it’s unique, kids of all ages absolutely love it, and the photos you’ll get are incredible. Just remember: go early or late, bring water, and embrace the sand. You’ll be finding it in your luggage for weeks afterwards, and you won’t mind one bit.