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Trekking in the Canary Islands

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
ISBN
9781852847654
Availability
Published
Published
7 Jan 2020
Edition
First
Pages
272
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.55cm
Weight
300g
Overview

A guidebook to trekking the 560km (348 mile) GR131 across the Canary Islands. The island-hopping long-distance trail crosses Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro and can be hiked in around a month, or split into shorter sections. Most of the route uses quiet roads, tracks and old mule paths, but there are some remote stretches, as well as occasional steep and rocky mountain paths.

The route is presented in 32 stages of between 7 and 30km (4–18 miles). Also included is an optional ascent of Spain’s highest peak, El Teide on Tenerife.

  • Clear route description illustrated with 1:50,000 mapping
  • GPX files available to download
  • Notes on accommodation, refreshments and local transport
  • Information on ferry transfers between the islands
  • Sized to easily fit in a jacket pocket

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Paddy Dillon Cicerone author DILLON

By Paddy Dillon

Paddy Dillon is a prolific walker and guidebook writer, with over 100 guidebooks to his name and contributions to 40 other titles. He has written for several outdoor magazines and other publications and has appeared on radio and television.Paddy uses a tablet computer to write as he walks. His descriptions are therefore precise, having been written at the very point at which the reader uses them.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 and the Rocky Mountains of Canada and the US.

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