Trekking in the Canary Islands - Kanári-szigetek túrakönyv

The GR131 island-hopping route

Guidebook to the GR131, an island-hopping trail that runs coast to coast across each of the 7 Canary Islands, a sub-tropical Spanish archipelago. Described over 32 stages, the route begins on Lanzarote, finishes on El Hierro, measures 560km (348 miles) and would take an average trekker about 1 month to complete.

Seasons

Can be walked any time, but summers are very hot and there might be snow in winter on the highest parts of the route on Tenerife and La Palma. Spring is ideal.

Centres

Lanzarote: Órzola, Teguise, San Bartolomé, Yaiza, Playa Blanca; Fuerteventure: Corralejo, Lajares, La Oliva, Tindaya, La Pared, Morro Jable; Gran Canaria: Maspalomas, Tunte, Agaete; Tenerife: La Esperanza, Vilaflor, Arona; La Gomera: San Sebastián, Chipude, Vallehermosa; La Palma: Fuencaliente, Puerto de Tazacorte; El Hierro: Tamaduste, Valverde

Difficulty

Most of the route uses quiet roads, tracks and old mule paths from village to village, but there are some remote stretches, as well as occasional steep and rocky mountain paths that need care. The route is well marked, but some navigational skills are required. Accommodation is unevenly spread.

Must See

National parks, volcanic landscapes, coastal views and Spain's highest mountain, El Teide

Contents

Introduction

Location

Geology

Brief history of the Canary Islands

Plants and animals

Travel to the Canary Islands

Travel around the Canary Islands

When to go

Accommodation

Language

Money

Food and drink

Trekking the GR131

Using this guide

Emergencies

Lanzarote

Stage 1 Órzola to Haría

Stage 2 Haría to Teguise

Stage 3 Teguise to Montaña Blanca

Stage 4 Montaña Blanca to Yaiza

Stage 5 Yaiza to Playa Blanca

Fuerteventura

Stage 6 Islote de Lobos

Stage 7 Corralejo to La Oliva

Stage 8 La Oliva to Tefía

Stage 9 Tefía to Betancuria

Stage 10 Betancuria to Pájara

Stage 11 Pájara to La Pared

Stage 12 La Pared to Barranco de Pecenescal

Stage 13 Barranco de Pecenescal to Morro Jable

Stage 14 Morro Jable to Faro de Jandía

Gran Canaria

Stage 15 Faro de Maspalomas to Ayagaures

Stage 16 Ayagaures to Tunte

Stage 17 Tunte to Cruz de Tejeda

Stage 18 Cruz de Tejeda to Tamadaba

Stage 19 Tamadaba to Puerto de las Nieves

Tenerife

Stage 20 La Esperanza to La Caldera

Stage 21 La Caldera to El Portillo

Optional route Ascent of El Teide

Stage 22 El Portillo to Parador

Stage 23 Parador to Vilaflor

Stage 24 Vilaflor to Arona

La Gomera

Stage 25 San Sebastián to Chipude

Stage 26 Chipude to Playa de Vallehermoso

La Palma

Stage 27 Faro de Fuencaliente to Fuencaliente

Stage 28 Fuencaliente to Refugio El Pilar

Stage 29 Refugio El Pilar to Roque de los Muchachos

Stage 30 Roque de los Muchachos to Puerto de Tazacorte

El Hierro

Stage 31 Puerto de la Estaca or Tamaduste to Fuente de La Llanía

Stage 32 Fuente de La Llanía to Embarcadero de Orchilla

Appendix A Language notes

Appendix B Useful contacts