GR131 Ruta de los Volcanes, El Bastón, Ruta de la Crestería de los Volcanes, Puerto de Tazacorte - Faro de Fuencaliente, 66km, 3 (long) days

La Palma counts two GR trails, of which the GR131 is the most spectacular one. Whereas the GR130 encircles the island, the GR131 turns inland to climb the crest of Caldera de Taburiente, the wild and eroded caldera in the middle of the island.Once on an altitude of 2000-plus meter, the trail follows the ridge, turns south, and after many ups and downs descends to sea level.

The first day is a steady 11 hour climb to Roque de los Muchachos, 2.425 m high. You will only find water at the start, at the restaurant Del Time (1,5 hours from the start) and at the visitors centre at Roque de los Muchachos. The second day is another 11 hours walk, following the ridge of the main Caldera. You will find water at the unguarded refuges of Punta de los Roques and Refugio del Pilar, end point of this day. The third day will take you up to almost 2.000 meters and then down to the lighthouse at the coast. Water can be found in the village of Fuencaliente / Los Canarios and at the lighthouse.

The height up to 2.500 meters necessitates some precautions: carry enough water and warm clothes. Apart from restaurant Del Time and the village of Fuencaliente, you cannot buy food anywhere. You will need a tent to camp near Roque de los Muchachos; the observatory here does not lodge tourists. Three days for this walk is a very ambitious scheme anyway. Summer is best, with least risk of fog. In winter the weather is most changeable with hard winds and lots of rain and even snow.

This challenging walk is part of the European long distance path E7.

Check the complete list of Canary Islands.