Description

8-Day GR131 Trek – Across Tenerife from La Esperanza to Arona

Embark on a breathtaking 8-day hiking adventure along the GR131 Camino Naturales trail across Tenerife. This long-distance route stretches from north to south, covering nearly 90 kilometers in 5 hiking days, and takes you through the island’s most spectacular and diverse landscapes.

The trek starts in La Esperanza, where you walk through ancient laurel and pine forests. The trail follows scenic mountain ridges as you ascend towards El Teide National Park. Once above the tree line, the views become truly spectacular, with Mount Teide (3,715 m) – Spain’s highest peak – always in sight.

One of the highlights is watching the sunrise near the Teide summit. You’ll experience landscapes you would never reach by car – from volcanic plains to lush forests and remote highlands. The route finishes in the southern village of Arona, after a descent through green valleys and quiet forest paths.

This guided trek is ideal for experienced hikers with a good fitness level. Expect substantial elevation gains – but unforgettable views in return.

✅ Highlights

Distance: Approx. 85–90 km in 5 hiking days
Start: La Esperanza
Finish: Arona
Top moment: Sunrise near Mount Teide
Difficulty: Challenging – suitable for experienced hikers
Terrain: Laurel and pine forests, volcanic plains, high-altitude ridges

Gr131 Tenerife wandelend door het bos naar de top.

Trekking along special views
Maximum 8 people
The most versatile GR131
Walk through the ancient forests
Spend the night on El Teide
180 degrees sunrise
Nice villages
Spend the night in typical Canarian small-scale accommodations

GR131 Tenerife, wandelen op de top van El Teide

1| Arrival Tenerife

Transfer from the airport to the first accommodation in La Esperanza on Tenerife, where we stay for two nights.

2| Forest walk
The first stage of the GR131 has a total distance of 16 km. This route is not too difficult. A gradually ascending road, with a vicious last bit. We slowly walk up through the forest, protected from the wind. The trip mostly goes through the woods, lots of shade and few views so far. We are taken back to the accommodation.

Distance: 16 km
Height difference: +956 up / -214 down

3| El Gaitero–La Caldera
The second stage of the GR131. Step by step you ascend towards the Teide area. The only sound is the sound of your shoes stepping through the stones! You will encounter jumping crickets, buzzing flies, bees and wasps in the grandly scented pine forest. There seems to be no end to it. Then suddenly you come into a Halloween-like forest with beard moss in every tree that looks like fluttering Halloween-like wisps. With fog it would be a perfect setting for a horror movie.

You conquer considerable altimeters and often the views are really spectacularly beautiful. At the end of the day you will arrive at La Caldera where you will be transferred to the accommodation.

Distance: 15 km
Height difference: +655 up / -1183 down

4| La Caldera – Las Canadas del Teide
Ready for a new day. You leave this fine accommodation. But don’t worry, it will be a very nice day. You walk further up to the Teide area.

From the starting point you can already see in the distance where you are going today. The number of kilometers is not that much, but it’s all in the altimeters. You climb up through the forest, until you reach the tree line and walk completely in the sun. With a satisfied feeling you arrive at a mountain restaurant on the Cañadas del Teide where you can drink a delicious pot of beer with a delicious tapa. you will be taken back to the accommodation.

Distance: 16.5 km
Height difference: +1135 up / -260 down

5| Village in the mountains (16km)

If we continue walking we enter one of the most beautiful varied nature areas of Tenerife where you can only reach on foot. Descending further and further to Vilaflor, we slowly come back below the tree line and walk to the accommodation. Vilaflor is the highest village in Spain at 1400 meters. We stay in the oldest hotel in Vilaflor.

Distance: 24.9 km
Height difference: +495 up / -1156 down

6| Downhill (19km)
The last day of this GR131 has already arrived. From Vilaflor we walk downhill towards Arona. We wind our way down between the pine trees. The journey is completed! We spend the night in El Medano.

Distance: 19 km
Elevation difference: +491 up / -1388 down

8| End of this beautiful walking tour
A transfer takes you to the airport.

Inclusive

Travel time: 8 days
Accommodations with breakfast
Welcome drink
Return transfer airport Tenerife
Transfers during the trek
Organized hike with guide and luggage transport
Buff and stainless steel drinking bottle, hiking pin
Travel guarantee STO Garant

Exclusive

Outward and return journey
All meals except breakfast
Booking costs
Single supplement
Travel and cancellation insurance
Mountain sports insurance recommended

Our special accommodations

The hiking pin of the GR131

Our unique hiking pin. Each island has its own color. You get this hiking pin when you complete the GR131 Camino Naturales on one of the seven islands. With a group tour you get this at the end of the trip. With an individual trip you take a stamp ticket with you that you have signed off at various locations. With this card you will receive your earned hiking pin. You are eligible for this if the trip is booked with Canary Hiking!

Colors

Each island has its own color. Did you walk the 630 km and save all the colors together? Then you will receive a unique pin from us!

Distance

89,5 km

Difficulty

Moderate

Up

3512 m.

Down

3775 m.

🥾 Conquer the Canary Islands, Collect Unique Pins! 🏅

Trek the GR131 Camino Naturales and collect a special Canary Hiking pin for each completed island – each in a unique color to symbolize your achievement!

Group trip? Receive your colorful pin at the end of the tour.
Solo adventurer? Collect stamps on your card at each milestone and we will send your pin!

Additional information

Program	1, Arrival Tenerife Transfer from the airport to the first accommodation Refugio Maria in Tenerife. Lovely restaurant available. 2, La Esperanza to Torre de la Caitero (16km) After a hearty breakfast we start our walking week by leaving the Refugio for La Esperanza, the start of the GR131 in the north of Tenerife. We go to the start with a transfer. Total distance is 16 km. This route is not too difficult. A gradually ascending road, where the tail is on the last stretch. We walk slowly up through the forest, protected by the wind. The tour is mostly through the woods, lots of shade but no views so far. Then there is the tension because we are crossing El Teide! Everyone who goes to Tenerife does this by car or coach. We do it on foot! When we have arrived at your end point of this first day, we will go back to our Refugio. 3, Departure Torre de la Caitero to El Portillo (20km) We leave the Refugio to go to the end point of the previous day. The second stage of the GR131. Step by step we are reaching the highest point. The only sound is the sound of your shoes stepping through the stones! We encounter jumping crickets, buzzing flies, bees and wasps in the large pine forest. There seems to be no end to it. Then suddenly we come into a Halloween-like forest, beard moss in every tree, waving wisps that make it a little creepy. We walk this tour with the necessary altimeters and often the views are really spectacularly beautiful. In one word “great”. Fortunately, after this trip we have the Refugio where we are pampered. The restaurant really deserves a Michelin star! What a good cook, and what a nice accommodation. And I won't say more about this. A surprise if you want to walk this tour!! 4, El Portillo (15km) Ready for a new day, and the last day in the Refugio. But don't worry, something else nice will take its place. Today the trek comes to the top. A category that falls under heavy. We will go to our starting spot where you will see the height to be conquered. The number of kilometers is not that much, but it is in the altimeters. This trip is 15 km, which will take you quite a bit. Again through the woods, until we reach the tree line and walk completely in the sun. With a satisfied feeling we arrive at Papillon where we can drink a delicious pot of beer and possibly eat a Tapa. In any case, make sure you have a good meal. In the evening we are taken to a magical place where there is no food or drink. We almost sleep on top of El Teide. An experience you don't get often! Tomorrow we have a rest day. (During the Covid this Refugio is closed. If it is not open during the GR131, we will look for another solution). 5, Day of rest rest day. This will be your rest day you will never forget. You sleep on almost the highest point of Tenerife where you can watch the sun rise and set. You can look at the starry sky, and you can sleep 3 km above sea level in an inn. There are no separate rooms to book here and you sleep in a bunk bed. In the morning we go even further up. Take the cable car to the highest peak where you can look around 360 degrees. You see where we are going to walk the next day. But first we go to the next accommodation in Vilaflor. A Spa-Hotel with a swimming pool where you can give your muscles some rest. You will be completely pampered by the owner. Enjoy this nice day off to walk the king's stage tomorrow. Meals: Option dinner at the Spa Hotel 6, El Teide to Villaflor (16km) The crowning glory of this week is this walking tour. The top of Tenerife with a crater 16 km wide. Every kilometer you walk you get a different view of El Teide. The first part is fairly flat and you can enjoy everything. We are not quite at the top yet, there will be another climb where we will have the best view of El Teide. This point is no longer accessible by car. When we have arrived at the top you will also see the huge crater with an explanation of how everything came into being. And then we will leave this area to descend at the back of this volcano to Vilaflor. One of the most beautiful nature reserves in Tenerife, which you can only reach on foot. Descending further and further to Vilaflor we slowly come back below the tree line and we walk to the accommodation. 6, El Teide to Villaflor (16km) The crowning glory of this week is this walking tour. The top of Tenerife with a crater 16 km wide. Every kilometer you walk you get a different view of El Teide. The first part is fairly flat and you can enjoy everything. We are not quite at the top yet, there will be another climb where we will have the best view of El Teide. This point is no longer accessible by car. When we have arrived at the top you will also see the huge crater with an explanation of how everything came into being. And then we will leave this area to descend at the back of this volcano to Vilaflor. One of the most beautiful nature reserves in Tenerife, which you can only reach on foot. Descending further and further to Vilaflor we slowly come back below the tree line and we walk to the accommodation. 7, Vilaflor to Arona (19km) The last day of this GR131 has already arrived. From Vilaflor we walk downhill towards Arona. We wind our way down between the pine trees. We drive from Arona to our last overnight place. 8, End of this beautiful hiking trip
Transfers	Airport, Luggage, to accommodations when necessary
Inclusive	Organized Hikingtrip over 89,5 km Accommodations with Breakfast Lugagetransfer and service for supermarket Buff and Bottle STO Guaranty
Exclusive	Flights Travel and cancellation insurance All meals except breakfast € 20,00 booking fee Possible single room supplement (€195.00)
Avantages	Challenging Active Intensive experience Lots of freedom small scale Authentic Away from the crowd We support the local people
Overview	If you don't like to travel with a group, it is of course possible to walk on your own. If you want to walk this trip individually, take a look at the package tours GR131 Individual.

8 Days hikingtrip Camino Naturales GR131 Tenerife

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