GR131 La Palma

The best paths in La Palma in a unique long trail, the volcanoes trail and the ridge of Caldera de Taburiente

The long route GR 131 in La Palma is an extreme route that follows the ridge of the highest volcanoes and mountains of the Isla Bonita, La Palma

Elevation Gain: 3900m   Distance: 72km
Time: 2-4days  Max altitude: 2426m

 

Elevation Gain

Km

Estimated time

Max. Altitude

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When to go

The GR-131 in La Palma can be hiked all year round except during the colder days when the snow and ice are presents on the trail. During summer, avoid the mid-day when hiking and carry with you enough water.

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Sun / Shade

Sun during the paths above the 1000m-1500m. Above this altitude there is almost no vegetation.

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Drinking Water

The path goes through the highest peaks so there are few places where you can fill your reservoir. During summer, some of the places are explained here are dry depending on the weather conditions. 
In Fuencaliente lighthouse, Fuencaliente, camping àrea of El Paso, the mountain Hut of Punta de los Roques there are drinking spots.
  • Difficulty 70% 70%
Depending on how many days is planed the trail, the difficulty changes. It has to be considered the elevation gained during the trail and the weather conditions can make the whole route very difficult.
  • Exposure 50% 50%

The route GR131 La Palma is not exposed itself, only heavy winds or heavy rain it can make the route more challenging and dangerous. During winter, when the snow falls in the summits, the paths can be very slippery.

Trekking in cumbre vieja and caldera taburiente 

 

The GR131 in La Palma is without any doubt the main attraction for hikers in the island. The Long Route GR-131 crosses the 7 Canary Islands and particularly in La Palma, it is considered as the most beautiful part to be hiked from the 7 parts is composed. 
In La Palma, the GR131 draws a line from the south to the west coast and surrounds the heights the National Park of Caldera de Taburiente. 
Due to its terrain and the elevation gain, the long route GR131 in La Palma is the hardest part of the route that crosses the 7 islands. Though is a long and hard route, it is very enjoyable thanks to the particular landscape of the southern part, the volcanoes trail, and the northern part that shows the magnitude of the National Park of Caldera de Taburiente. 
The hike is explained from the south to the north though can be possible to do it in reverse.
The route begins from the Fuencaliente Lighthouse and the trail is marked from the beginning to the end with a white and red mark.  It is very easy to follow the trail thanks to all the many trail signs all the way indicating the main hiking spots and the kms it takes to get there. 

 

The GR131 from Fuencaliente to El Paso – Volcanoes trail

The first part of the GR131 in La Palma is part of Volcanoes Trail, a very beautiful part of the island that is crossed by this gorgeous trail. It begins at Fuencaliente Lighthouse and crosses the road twice to get into the volcanoes trail that leads to Fuencaliente. In the top of the village of Fuencaliente, after passing the main road of the trail goes through a forest of Canarian Pines until it reaches 1000m high where the volcanoes appear again in the route with all its magnificent. At this point, the vegetation is spread around and the arid and volcanic landscape that becomes a magic scenery where is possible to see both sides of the island and contemplate the beauty of La Isla Bonita. 

 

El Paso and the Reventón Pass

The part from Fuencaliente to El Paso is one of the most hiked paths due to its beautiful nature but from El Paso to the summit of the island is as beautiful as the volcanoes trail. In El Paso is possible to overnight with a permission that can be taken online. From El Paso to the mountain hut the landscape changes again, being the vegetation the protagonist. In the first part From El Paso to el Reventón the trail is very flat and enjoyable. It will cross a small mountain hut with no equipment and quickly will go up to Punta de los Roques mountain hut. The views during this part of the trail are very beautiful because it’s often possible to see how the clouds pass from the east side of the island to the west and they evaporate
gr131 la palma fuencaliente cumbre vieja

The ridge of Caldera de Taburiente National Park

From Punta de Los Roques mountain hut, the trail follows the ridge of all the Caldera de Tabutiente surrounded by small bushes during all the trail to Roque de Los Muchachos. If the weather conditions are good, from the ridge can be seen the caldera during all the trail. In Roque de Los Muchachos is settled the best astronomical observatories of the world. Many countries have its team and facilities up there. Looking at the stars from any place of La Palma is exciting but from Roque de Los Muchachos is even more incredible. 

From the top of the island of La Palma, for going to Tazacorte, has to be followed a path that arrives at the road that reaches the top of the summit and at the first turn to the right you will find the path that leads to the west and keeps following the ridge of Caldera de Taburiente.

Recommendations

-Be careful with the weather conditions because it can change quickly and in an unexpected way, especially during winter. In case of bad weather conditions like winds up to 50km/h, fog, rain or other inclement weather do not hike around the area or be very careful if you decide to take this risk. Before going to hike check out the conditions of the paths in Senderos de La Palma website.

-In case of setting up a tent to avoid the camping areas and nearby without permission and notice that is illegal to set up a tent in Spain. If it is wanted to take the risk, set up the tent in a remote place at sunset and wake up early to avoid forest rangers. During summertime, there are more controls.

-Your safety is our concern but it is your responsibility. Hiking in nature requires a minimum of preparation and wearing warm clothes and proper boots always with us.

hiking map gr131 la palma
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Transportation

How to get to La Palma: Do you need to know how to get to La Isla Bonita? Check out our post about La Palma: Hiking in La Palma.

Public transportation: For arriving at the parking is needed to take the bus nº200 or 201 from Santa Cruz de La Palma or from Los Llanos, near Tazacorte and to take the 203 to El Faro from Fuencaliente.

Where the hike starts: 28.455338, -17.843462 
Where the hike ends: 28.651130, -17.946383 

weather in the gr 131 of La Palma

Weather

Check out the weather for the following days in El Paso.

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Accomodation

During the GR131 in La Palma there are few places where is possible to stay. Hostels, hotels and apartments are only found in Fuencaliente. There is a small building with no facilities in El Reventon where is possible to overnight and there is a mountain Hut in Punta de Los Roques. There is as well in El Paso a camping área where is possible to stay for a maximum of 7 days taking a permission in advance.  Get 25€ discount on your first Airbnb experience

gr131-hiking-map

Resources

 Online Topo map: La Palma

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