Trekking on La Palma

When it comes to trekking in the Canary Islands, La Palma is at the top of the list. Due to its extreme mountainous relief, trekking in La Palma is a real challenge. Moreover, it is on this island that very important trekking competitions are held. However, the neighbouring island of Tenerife is also ideally placed thanks to the Teide peak.

Trekking on La Palma

The expression trekking originates from the African trek. But the Germanic languages adopted it and turned it into an international expression. To go trekking or trekking is the same as hiking, walking or trekking.

Trekking in the Canary Islands

Certainly, with somewhat stronger connotations. When we talk about trekking in the Canary Islands, we think of climbing the Teide or the Roque de Los Muchachos, walking from sea level to the top.

The Roque de Los Muchachos

The highest point on the island of La Palma is called Roque de Los Muchachos. This promontory is situated at 2426 metres above sea level. We can go trekking, walking from any point of La Palma to the Roque de Los Muchachos. But the paths leading to it are very steep.

Royal Trails

These are former royal paths, today redesigned as GR 131. The radial paths that connect to the GR 131 are called local paths. These paths flow from any municipality of La Palma, until they reach the Roque.

The trekking trails on La Palma

The network of footpaths on La Palma was built and developed by its inhabitants after the conquest. This happened 500 years ago. At that time, the paths were used to connect the small villages and for the transit of livestock and goods. Nowadays, the paths have been recovered and have a recreational function.

Physical condition

Visitors also use them for trekking. Traversing the rougher trails requires experience and good physical condition. Walking the local trails allows you to enjoy the scenery in a more relaxed way.

Canary Islands

The westernmost islands are of relatively recent volcanic origin. As a result, their terrain is still rugged, with very steep terrain. Pico del Teide on Tenerife rises almost 4,000 metres above sea level. 2,426 metres is the height of Roque de Los Muchachos on La Palma. Further south, it is El Hierro which is almost 2,000 metres above sea level. And the oldest island of all, La Gomera, is over 1,400 metres above sea level. These are the four best islands for trekking.

Diversity

Due to their enormous altitudes, they enjoy a very varied biology, with diverse ecosystems. Enormous climatic variations in a very small space.

The trekking routes on La Palma

The island offers a great diversity of landscapes, which can be seen in the many trekking routes on La Palma. You can penetrate the interior of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park on foot; walk along the edge of the southern mountain range, with its many volcanoes; discover the waterfalls of Marcos and Cordero, in Los Tilos; skirt the cliffs of the north, walking from one village to the next.

Landscapes

All of them are magnificent options for trekking in La Palma and discovering the charm of its routes. Each landscape is extraordinary and diverse.