Hello folks. I am heading to Gran Canaria late Nov on a one way ticket for a couple of months or so. Where can i get a cheap late flight back to uk and what kind of price can I expect in mid Jan. Also I am a keen walker and am looking a good walking guide book that covers the whole Island. Are there any Goverment run hostels, cheap rural acomodation, camp sites etc. Lasty and most important, what is the availiblity of water,streams, lakes etc and is it safe to drink.

Cheers

There is a good list of airlines flying to and from Gran Canaria on this website:
http://www.grancanariainfo.co.uk/flights.asp
Have a look at the low cost airlines - prices go up as you get closer to the date - so it's best to book as far ahead as possible.

I can't recommend any specific books, however the trails are generally well signposted - the walk around Roque Nublo is especially rewarding, though you will probably want some warm winter clothes to do that one in January.

There is a Parador (Spanish Government-run hotel) in the hills:
http://www.parador.es/en/tratarFichaPar ... 29&LANG=en

There are lots of reservoirs in the interior of the island and you will probably find lots of small streams at that time of year - I don't think that I'd risk drinking from them though.