La Palma trail GR 131
Enjoy an unforgettable experience on the beautiful island. 3 high voltage hiking routes, walking in stages along the GR131 of La Palma. From elevation 0, ascending to the Roque de Los Muchachos, at 2426 metres, through the highest peaks.
Camino del Guanche 
La Palma trail GR 131
5 days and 3 hikes along La Palma trail
Includes 4 nights in strategic accommodation, breakfast included. 3 days on tour with 3 hikes along La Palma trail GR 131, in 3 stages, on your own. All necessary transfers for each route.
It is also possible to do this itinerary in 4 stages. And if your stay in La Palma is one week, you can optionally choose to add additional routes. We propose 3 stages along the GR130 in the north of the island.
3 STAGES
arrival to La Palma
1st: Faro Fuencaliente - Refugio El Pilar
2nd: Refugio El Pilar - Pico de La Cruz
3rd: Pico de La Cruz - Puerto de Tazacorte
departure day
4 STAGES
arrival to La Palma
1st: Pico de La Nieve - Roque de Los Muchachos
2nd: Roque de Los Muchachos - Pto Tazacorte
3rd: Pico de La Nieve - Ref. El Pilar
4th: Ref. El Pilar - Fuencaliente
departure day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
3 stages
4 stages 
This programme is for you if you are in excellent physical condition; if you can cover steep slopes and have no vertigo or health problems; if you regularly do long walks and consider yourself a good sportsman, love nature and are respectful of the environment.
See more details at:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you only want to do a few stages?
FLEXIBLE PACKAGE: you can rearrange the stages in order to fit days off in between them. We adapt to your prerogatives.
WARNING: The route in stages along the GR131 requires good physical condition and walking safety and is only suitable for regular walkers.
Well-signposted trails
transfers included (taxi and/or regular bus) to/from your accommodation
Order our telescopic poles for 2 € each.
taxi or bus transfers
transfers to each stage, by taxi or public bus
accommodations
small charming hotels, with breakfast (more information in Hotels tab)
stages
3 stages of approx. 20-22 km each or 4 stages of approx. 17 Km, to cross La Palma from north to south and from east to west along the Camino del Guanche.
What does this programme include?
Accommodations – 4 nights stay in different charming hotels, B&B
Videoconference information – personalised information by video-talk on your arrival day
Information material – maps to be picked up at the hotel reception, upon arrival
GPX Tracs – to follow your tourss with your mobile device
Taxi transfers – all necessary transfers for each route
Support 24h – we keep permanently in touch with you throughout your stay to solve any problem or doubt you may have
Choose your dates now and book your trip !
Booking: With a firts payment of 150 €, book now and guarantee your trip. We will confirm your reserve within 24 hours. But in the case of accommodations unavailability, we will refund the paid amount or propose alternative dates.
Any arrival date is possible – you decide the dates you want to do this programme. We just need to check first the availability in the different accommodations.
Combine it with other islands
Do you want to include other islands in your trip? We can help you with ferry transfers or domestic flights between the islands
ABOUT THE GUANCHES
The Guanches were the ancient inhabitants of the Canary Islands until the arrival of the Spaniards. The Guanche population is of Berber origin and it is assumed that they arrived on the islands around 1800 years ago. They developed differently on each island, so they have been given different names depending on the island: Benahoritas on La Palma; Bimbaches on El Hierro; Guanches on Tenerife and La Gomera…
But their way of life and customs were similar: they lived by herding, berry picking and local fishing. They lived in caves and did not know how to use metals. They did not sail, so there was no interaction between the tribes on the different islands.
In their journeys on foot with their herds, they used paths and trails previously marked by the animals. They used these trails to reach places suitable for grazing, crossed deep ravines and maintained relations with the various menceyatos of each island.
Today these trails are for the enjoyment of contemporary hikers and have technical designations such as GR 130 or GR 131. But we, in homage to those hardened hikers of the past, prefer to call them…
Camino del Guanche
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What does this trip include?
What is NOT included?
Cancellation Policy
Take out a Cancellation Insurance for your trip just for a few pounds and get a full refund of everything you would have paid, including your flights.
GR131 on La Palma
For a 5-day short trip, discover the most spectacular hiking route in three parts.
Along the GR131 you will walk the Volcanoes Route in the opposite direction, you will cross the central ridge of La Palma (misnamed Cumbre Nueva) and the ascend to Roque de Los Muchachos, before starting the steep descent towards Puerto de Tazacorte.
- 1st part: from Las Salinas to the Refugio del Pilar
- 2nd part: from the Refugio del Pilar to the Roque de Los Muchachos
- 3rd part: from Roque de Los Muchachos to Puerto de Tazacorte
Total hiking tour: 66,3 Km.
Don’t miss out on touring the spectacular GR131 on La Palma !! We wait for you.
Your accommodation is already booked?
then have a look to our transfers for self-guided WALKING TOURS
…or our guided WALKING TOURS, with daily departures from all hotel and well organised transfers
What is there to see or do on La Palma?
In addition to the GR 131 La Palma, you should not miss the following places on the Isla Bonita:
Caldera de Taburiente National Park: this is one of the most emblematic places on La Palma and is home to one of the largest craters in the world. Here you can go on numerous hiking trails and observe the local fauna and flora.
Roque de los Muchachos Observatory: this is one of the best places in the world for astronomical observation and has some of the most advanced telescopes on the planet. In addition to its scientific function, it is also a very popular place for stargazing.
Cascada de Los Colores: it is a beautiful waterfall located in the north of the island. Its name is due to the colours of the rock due to the oxidation of the minerals. It is a short and easy hike to reach the waterfall.
Cumbre Vieja Natural Park Visitor Centre: this is a place that offers detailed information on the geology and volcanic history of La Palma. Here you can learn about the geological characteristics of the island and its evolution over time.
The Volcanoes Route is a trail that runs along the volcanoes in the south of the island and offers impressive views of the volcanic landscape and the coast of La Palma.
La Palma Observatory Visitor Centre: is a visitor centre that offers an interesting introduction to astronomy and the technology used at the observatory. It also has a planetarium that immerses you in the universe.
REQUEST MORE INFORMATION
… if you already have your accommodation on La Palma and you only want to do some of the stages of Camino del Guanche
1.- Tell us which stages you prefer to do and where on the island you are staying.
2.- We take care of organising your transfers and providing you with all the necessary information.
3.- We will send you a proposal that meets your requirements as soon as possible.
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Destination
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Included
Bed & Breakfast accommodationin/out Airport transferLiability and accidents insuranceLuggage transferMaps and printed descriptionsTransfers by taxi and regular bus -
Not Included
4WD transferaccess permissionsAperitivoArrival transferBebidasbeveragesBicycle rentalBus transfersCable-carCar RentalCourtesy lunchfield telescopeGuideHalf board accommodationHAVEN hanging tentLocal flights + FerryLunchsnackTastingTransfer by shipTraslado en 4x4Two nights in a hotel
Our gallery
Pictures from the tours
TOUR LOCATION
La Palma, a little island in the Spanish Canary Islands archipelago, located northwestern side from the african atlantic ocean, is an island with wooded and rugged terrain, dotted with volcanoes such as Cumbre Vieja and Teneguía, currently active. The island capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma, is a beautiful port town with narrow cobbled streets and houses with wooden balconies.
GR 131 itinerary in 3 stages and 4 stages
FLEXIBLE PROGRAMME: you can rearrange the stages in order to fit days off in between them. We adapt to your prerogatives.
In 3 stages of 20 to 22 Km each stage
arrival to La Palma
1st: Faro de Fuencaliente - Ref. El Pilar
2nd: Ref. El Pilar - Pico de La Cruz
3rd: Pico de La Cruz - Pto. de Tazacorte
día de salida o extensión 3 días extra
We certify your stages on the
Camino del Guanche
Get the T-shirt with logo and inscriptions that certify your itinerary along LA PALMA's Camino del Guanche after completing the stages.
We will send it to you at the end of your trip (*) together with a named certificate, to be displayed wherever you want.
(*) Free shipping by regular mail. When you make your reservation you only have to tell us your size and shipping address.
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In 4 stages of 15 to 17 km each stage
arrival to La Palma
1st: Pico de La Nieve - Roque de Los Muchachos
2nd: Roque de Los Muchachos - Pto. de Tazacorte
3rd: Pico de La Nieve - Refugio del Pilar
4th: Refugio del Pilar - Fuencaliente
departure day or 2 extra days extension
3 STAGES
Day 1
Arrival to La Palma
Transfer to the hotel in Santa Cruz de La Palma.
Hotel & breakfast: Hotel Holiday Time
Day 2 - 1st Stage
Salinas to Refugio el Pilar
Early in the morning our driver will take you to the very south of La Palma. Next to the lighthouse of Fuencaliente the GR131 begin in a permanent ascent. Shortly after, you will cross the Teneguía Volcano (erupted in 1971) and the San Antonio Volcano, before reaching the village of Fuencaliente, 650 metres above sea level. The GR131 trail folows in a relentless ascent to the Martín Volcano, 1500 metres above the sea. A little further on are the twin craters of Las Deseadas, at the top of the Volcanoes Route (1949 metres above sea level). After enjoying some superb panoramic views, we start a gentle descent towards the Refugio del Pilar (1450 metres above sea level), where today's stage ends. Our driver will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel in Santa Cruz de La Palma.
23,1 km | +2140 m / -684 m
Hotel & breakfast: Hotel Holiday Time
Day 3 - 2nd Stage
Refugio el Pilar to Pico de la Cruz
Today our driver will take you back to the Refugio del Pilar to start the second stage of the GR131. The path continues gently along the Cumbre Nueva in the direction to Roque de Los Muchachos.
But from El Reventón begins a vertiginous ascent along the edge of the enormous crater of La Caldera. After passing Pico de Las Ovejas, the path starts to progress westwards, cresting the crater and leaving behind Refugio Punta de Los Roques, Pico de La Nieve and Pico de La Cruz. Return to the hotel from Pico de La Cruz.
21 km | +1583 m / -765 m
Hotel & breakfast: Hotel Holiday Time
Day 4 - 3rd Stage
Pico de la Cruz to Puerto de Tazacorte
Return to Pico de la Cruz. Shortly before reaching Roque de Los Muchachos, located 2,426 metres above sea level, you will cross the various astrophysical observatories that bear its name at the highest point of the island and continue on a permanent descent to the sea. From the top, spectacular views of La Caldera and other islands of the archipelago follow one after the other.
After plunging into the pine forests of the west, you will reach the Torre del Time, 1160 metres above the sea, from where you can enjoy an amazing view of the entire Aridane Valley and the gorge that makes up the Barranco de Las Angustias ravine. The GR131 continues its relentless descent through the Mirador del Time until reaching Puerto de Tazacorte. A refreshing swim in the sea awaits you there, before returning with our driver to Santa Cruz de La Palma.
22,2 km | +666 m / -2975 m
Hotel & breakfast: Hotel Holiday Time
Day 5 - Departure or 3 days extension
Airport transfer for departure or extension up to 1 week with 3 optional routes on GR 130
4 STAGES
Day 1
Arrival to La Palma
Transfer to the hotel in Santa Cruz de La Palma.
Hotel & breakfast: Hotel Holiday Time
Day 2 - 1st Stage
Pico de La Nieve - Roque de Los Muchachos
In this first stage of the GR 131, you will begin the route by first ascending Pico La Nieve, crossing the pine forest until you reach the GR 131. From there, the path continues along the summit to the west.
The scrub vegetation is of the subalpine type and alow to enjoy great views into the Caldera de Taburiente crater. Along the way there are several viewpoints, from which you can easily see the neighbouring islands, as well as both sides of La Palma. A little further on is the Pico de La Cruz, the los Andenes viewpoint and the Fuente Nueva fountain.
And before reaching the final point, we will cross several observatories located around the Roque de los Muchachos. We are now at the highest point of the island, at 2426 metres above sea level. It is also the second highest point of the Canary archipelago. The taxi transfer back to the hotel picks us up here.
11,6 km | + 852 m / -330 m
Hotel & breakfast: Hotel Holiday Time
Day 3 - 2nd Stage
Roque de Los Muchachos - Pto. de Tazacorte
We resume today's walk at the point where we left off yesterday: the Roque de Los Muchachos. From here the path goes along the edge of the National Park in a long descent towards Puerto de Tazacorte.
The view over the Aridane Valley, formed some 700 000 years ago by a great landslide, remains all along the trail. In the distance appears the smoky silhouette of the youngest volcano in the Canary Islands, the Tajogaite volcano, which for three endless months kept the islanders in check (eruption, September 2021).
After the Roque Palmero, the path begins a vertiginous descent towards the sea, crossing the Torre del Time, situated next to steep walls that drop vertically towards the Barranco de Las Angustias ravine. After leaving the El Time viewpoint behind, the view of Puerto de Tazacorte, located at the mouth of the ravine, appears. After a zigzagging descent along the final stretch of the trail, Puerto de Tazacorte offers an excellent opportunity for a refreshing swim or a good meal in one of the local restaurants. Return to the hotel by taxi.
17,2 km | + 148 m / - 2558 m
Hotel & breakfast: Hotel Holiday Time
Day 4 - 3rd Stage
Pico La Nieve - Refugio El Pilar
Today we return to the Pico de La Nieve to resume the route to the south. After an ascent along the PR LP 4 to Pico La Nieve we now follow the route of the GR 131, heading south, walking to Refugio del Pilar.
The first part of the trail offers a view of the Caldera de Taburiente from a different perspective. The path descends gently and crosses an area of rock engravings: Las Eras. A little further on a high mountain refuge appears: Punta de los Roques refuge. To the right of the path is the view of Pico Bejenado, closing off La Caldera on its southern flank. On the left you can see the entire eastern slope of the island, with Santa Cruz de La Palma in the distance.
Now begins a steep descent that ends at the Reventón, a crossing point between two old paths. From there, the path becomes a wide track that flattens out on the badly named Cumbre Nueva until it reaches the Refugio El Pilar. Here again, the taxi awaits us to take us back to the hotel.
17 km | + 409 m / - 1175 m
Hotel & breakfast: Hotel Holiday Time
Day 5 - 4th Stage
Refugio El Pilar - Fuencaliente - Faro de Fuencaliente
The last stage is an open-air museum of volcanology. The route over the fire mountains of Cumbre Vieja is extraordinarily beautiful. Rare lava formations and rocks of different colours. Lava bombs and a magnificent pine forest.
The route starts at Refugio el Pilar, walking south along the GR 131. At the start, a dense pine forest opens up along an ascending path that skirts the Birigoyo crater. After leaving behind some spectacular viewpoints, the line of trees gradually dissipates until we reach the Hoyo Negro crater (eruption of 1949). Next we will find the crater of Nambroque and the lava field of Duraznero, belonging to the same eruption of the previous volcano. Las Deseadas, two twin craters at an altitude of almost 2000 m, mark the high point of this route. From this point on, it is all downhill until you reach Fuencaliente, the southern municipality of the island.
However, the trail still has some surprises in store: the imposing crater of the Martín volcano, or the Montaña del Cabrito offer incredible volcanic views with the perspective of the sea and the neighbouring islands as a backdrop. After leaving the Fuente de Los Roques behind, we will once again plunge into the southern pine forest until we reach Los Canarios de Fuencaliente, the final point of the 17.4 km route.
17,4 km | + 617 m / - 1917 m
But for those who still have some strength left, you can tackle the last 6 km of the GR 131 down the slopes of the San Antonio volcano, along the Teneguía volcano (eruption in 1971), and reach the lighthouse and the salt flats by the sea. Return by bus to Santa Cruz de La Palma.
23,4 km | + 617 m / - 2567 m
Hotel & breakfast: Hotel Holiday Time
Day 6 - Departure or 2 days extension
Transfer to the airport for departure or extension with optional routes
PRICES / SERVICES
Price from: 465 € per person (3 stages)
included:
- 4 nights accommodation with breakfast
- 3 Hiking days through the GR 131
- Taxi transfers and regular bus transfers
- Luggage transfer, maps and printed descriptions
- Meeting on arrival day
The price does NOT include:
- Flight to/from La Palma
- Transfer on arrival and departure, airport-hotel-airport
Single supplement: +370 €
ACCOMMODATION
According to availability:
Additional overnights
It is also possible to book some additional days, before or after the hiking week, or an additional week to relax.
Difficulty
To successfully achieve the 3 stages from GR 131 it is necessary a good physical condition, steady walk and lack of vertigo. According to the year season, temperatures can be extreme (hot and/or cold). Therefore, it is necessary to have suitable warm clothes permanently, to be removed as layers if necessary. Some parts of this trail include passages with slippery loose stone. Although most of this trail is roomy enough, certain sections are quite aerial and require caution. Using hiking poles is highly recommended.
Trails
La Palma has a well signposted network of trails. All sections where from our tours are perfectly marked. In addition to the detailed map of La Palma, you will get from us precise indications of each route and assistance from the hotline on your walks.
We recommend
Appropriate hiking clothing and sturdy footwear. During the tours, it is necessary to have food and drink enough, as well as sun protection, a cap, wind jacket and, in the winter months, warm clothing.
Singles
The program is suitable for single travelers, although it is subject to an additional charge.
Luggage transfer
We move your luggage from one accommodation to next, so on your hikes you should only carry a backpack with the essentials of the day. For the whole trip, it is recommendable to use a single suitcase, not bigger than 20 kg.
You can book at any date!
Price do not include flights, dinners, and picnics. You can book at any date!
Miguel
Do you have any questions? I am happy to help you. I will answer any questions you may have!