This guidebook provides a comprehensive and detailed description of the GR131, an island-hopping trail across the seven Canary Islands. The 560km (348 mile) route begins on Lanzarote and finishes on El Hierro and is presented in 32 daily stages. The route is well waymarked but some navigational skills are required, and the remote and occasional rocky sections need to be treated with care. Also included is an optional ascent of El Teide, the highest peak on Spanish territory at 3718m.
The guide is split into seven parts, one for each island. Overview statistics, detailed navigational description and 1:50,000 mapping is provided for each stage and the guide also includes key information about transport to and between the Canary Islands and availability of accommodation and services. There is background information on the geology, history, plants and wildlife and notes on local points of interest. An appendix contains a helpful glossary.
As a geologically young area, the Canaries boast rare wildlife across their dramatic volcanic terrain. The islands contain a number of national parks, and the landscape varies from semi-desert to forests and barren mountainsides. This month-long route is a great opportunity for walkers to fully immerse themselves in the diverse culture and scenery of the Canary Islands.
Trekking in the Canary Islands : The GR131 island-hopping route
Description
Table of Contents
Map key
Overview map of the Canary Islands
Route summary table
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 orzola to Haria
Stage 2 Haria to Teguise
Stage 3 Teguise to Montana Blanca
Stage 4 Montana 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 Tefia
Stage 9 Tefia to Betancuria
Stage 10 Betancuria to Pajara
Stage 11 Pajara 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 Jandia
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 Sebastian 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 Llania
Stage 32 Fuente de La Llania to Embarcadero de Orchilla
Appendix A Language notes
Appendix B Useful contacts
Author Description
Paddy Dillon is a prolific walker and guidebook writer with over 90 guidebooks to his name, and contributions to 40 other titles. He has written extensively for several outdoor magazines and other publications and has appeared on radio and television. Paddy is an indefatigable long-distance walker who has walked all of Britain's National Trails and several European trails. He has also walked in Nepal, Tibet, Korea, Africa and the Rocky Mountains of Canada and the US. Paddy is a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild and President of the Backpackers Club.