La Palma’s GR131, known as El Bastón, is one of the most dramatic walking routes in the Canary Islands. The trail crosses the island’s mountainous backbone, connecting Puerto de Tazacorte on the west coast with Fuencaliente in the volcanic south. The northern section provides a spectacular start, rising dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean towards Roque de los Muchachos, the highest point on La Palma at 2,426 metres. From the summit, the route follows the crest around the enormous Caldera de Taburiente, passing through a landscape of high mountain vegetation, pine forest and exposed volcanic ridges. The final section becomes the famous Ruta de los Volcanes. The landscape transforms once again as the trail crosses the volcanic spine of Cumbre Vieja, passing craters, lava fields and volcanic cones before eventually reaching Fuencaliente and the Atlantic. This is a genuine mountain adventure and is significantly more demanding than the Lanzarote GR131. The official La Palma route classifies the Puerto de Tazacorte–Roque de los Muchachos section as extreme and the Refugio del Pilar–Fuencaliente section as high difficulty.
The route includes long, remote sections where food and reliable water supplies are limited. Walkers must carry sufficient water and food for each stage and be prepared for rapid changes in temperature and weather at altitude.
Important: the beginning of Stage 1 between Puerto de Tazacorte and El Time is currently subject to a temporary safety closure according to the Spanish Caminos Naturales authority. The final route supplied for your departure will therefore be dependent on the official status and any authorised alternative in operation at that time.
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Inclusions
- 6 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels, guesthouses and pilgrim-friendly accommodation with private facilities where available
- Daily luggage transfers between accommodations
- Necessary transfers to and from remote sections of the trail
- Comprehensive route notes and navigation resources
- Detailed pre-departure information pack
- Expert local knowledge and 24-hour emergency assistance during your trip
- Professional event organisation and itinerary planning
Exclusions:
- Travel to the start and finish points of the trip
- Lunches and evening meals
- Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects)
- Airport transfers
- Tourist taxes where applicable
- Guiding services (available on request)
Optional extras
- Single room supplement £100 per person per night (subject to availability)
- Solo traveller supplement £100 per person per night
- Odd group supplement £100 per group per night may apply if a single room is required.
- Extra night prior to start (single room) £200 per person
- Extra night prior to the start (twin room, needs 2 people) £100 per person
- Extra night at the end of the event (single room) £200 per person
- Extra night at the end of the event (twin room, needs 2 people) £100 per person
Please select from Optional Extras at checkout.
Getting there and back
Evening meals and lunches
You can purchase evening meals either at the accommodation or nearby. When our event planners send you the schedule with itinerary you could prearrange directly with the accommodation or during the walk.
For lunches we would suggest bringing some of your own favourite snack bars and then asking the accommodation for a packed lunch for the following day and also supplementing that at stops en-route.
Accommodation
Accommodation is generally in a mixture of family-run hotels, guesthouses, rural inns and carefully selected pilgrim-friendly accommodation. Private ensuite facilities will be provided wherever possible, although in some smaller villages facilities may occasionally be shared.
Once your booking is confirmed, your event planner will provide details of your accommodation and discuss any preferences or special requirements.
Dog friendly
Due to accommodation restrictions and the logistics, this trip is generally not recommended for travellers with dogs.
Need a guide?
If you would prefer to have a guide for your walk, even just for one day, then we are happy to help. We can provide a qualified leader (also first aid qualified) to lead your trek or on just one of the sections. Just ask us.
A guide can not only take the stress out of navigation, but you will also find them a great asset in terms of providing an insight into all things environment and nature.
Dates and prices
For available dates please see the ‘build your trip’ option on the left hand side on desktops or at the bottom on mobiles. You can reserve your space via this route.
After you book
After placing your booking with us, you will in the first instance receive an automated email from our system confirming receipt of your reservation. If you don’t receive it, it is worth checking your spam/clutter folder.
In the process of placing your booking, you will generally set up an access password to our online gateway where you can review the details of the booking.
Your personal event planner will then be in touch with you to start to confirm the details. This contact will usually be taken up in the working day after receipt of your booking, but may, in busy times, take a little longer. The event planner will then liaise with you regarding the details of the course. If you have any specific requirements, please do mention it at this stage.
At the end of your trip
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end at some point. Luckily you have one of several options. If you have not booked additional tour plans have a look at our other offerings and extend your holiday.
You can arrange this as an optional add on with your adventure travel planner.
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