6-Days selfguided trek including luggage transferDescription
GR131 Trekking on El Hierro – Hike the Camino de la Virgen de los Reyes
After Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, and La Palma, El Hierro is the final island in the series of iconic GR131 long-distance hiking routes. This trek takes you across the most remote and least visited island in the Canary Archipelago – a hidden gem for true hikers. Here, everything is about tranquility, nature, and rugged beauty.
You’ll follow the GR131 path from the east side of the island to the farthest western point. Along the way, you’ll experience landscapes entirely different from those of the other Canary Islands.
A special highlight of this journey is that you’ll partially follow the Camino de la Virgen de los Reyes – the sacred pilgrimage route, which is walked every four years to carry the statue of the Virgin Mary from her chapel in the west to the capital, Valverde. This route crosses the island, connecting the history of the island’s inhabitants. On your hike, you’ll literally walk in the footsteps of this ancient tradition.
✨ Why Hiking on El Hierro is So Special:
🌋 Volcanic Landscapes – from black lava fields to jagged rock formations, shaped by ancient eruptions.
🌲 El Sabinar – a magical area with wind-bent juniper trees, the symbol of El Hierro.
🌫️ La Llanía – a mystical mist forest that feels like stepping into another world.
🙏 Camino de la Virgen – walk the historic pilgrimage route that is sacred to the island’s residents.
🗺️ Punta de Orchilla – the ‘end of the world’, once the zero meridian of world maps.
🏘️ Small-Scale Accommodations – authentic, charming, and free from mass tourism.
🎒 Includes Luggage Transport – no heavy lifting, just pure walking enjoyment.
🌅 Endless Vistas – with clear days offering views stretching all the way to La Palma and even Africa.
This fully organized hiking trip on El Hierro is perfect for those who love to venture far off the beaten path. The route is only about 45 km long, but every day offers something new, whether it’s a spiritual experience on the Camino de la Virgen or simply soaking in the serenity of this tiny island!
If you’re looking for an authentic, small-scale, and surprising corner of the Canary Islands, then El Hierro is your destination.
- Trek along special views
- Malpaso
- Walking through different climate zones
- Among the volcanoes
- Special overnight stays
- Peace and authenticity
- Pilgrim’s path
- Highlands
Do you have specific wishes? We would be happy to discuss the possibilities and tailor this trip to your needs.
1 | Arrival on El Hierro El Hierro is one of the most undiscovered Canary Islands, perfect for hiking enthusiasts. With its rugged landscapes, high cliffs, and rich biodiversity, El Hierro offers a unique hiking experience.
Upon arrival at El Hierro, you will be transferred by taxi to your accommodation in Valverde, the island’s capital. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Valverde is the perfect starting point. After an orientation walk through the quaint streets, you can enjoy a meal at a restaurant offering local specialties.
2 | Valverde to La Llanía Parking The Camino de la Virgen, a historic pilgrimage route on El Hierro, begins in Valverde and heads towards the parking lot at La Llanía in the first stage.
The hike starts at the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church in Valverde, the traditional starting point of the pilgrimage. From here, you follow the well-marked path that gradually ascends through a landscape of green meadows, terraced farmland, and small villages. The first few kilometers are a bit steeper, perfect for getting into the rhythm of the Camino.
As you continue climbing, the landscape transforms, and you enter the laurel forests typical of El Hierro. This part of the route offers shaded paths.
The endpoint of this stage, La Llanía, is a popular resting spot, with a small parking area and picnic tables.
Distance: 15 km
Elevation gain: +871 meters / Elevation loss: -247 meters
3 | La Llanía Parking via Nuestra Señora de los Reyes to Faro de Orchilla The stage from La Llanía to Faro de Orchilla is one of the most impressive segments of the Camino de la Virgen on El Hierro. This route takes you through a diverse and changing landscape, from the mystical mist forests to the rugged, dry plains on the island’s western side.
Starting at the La Llanía parking lot, you continue along the path that ascends through the laurel forest, an area often shrouded in mist, creating a magical atmosphere. You reach the top of Malpaso at 1506 meters in elevation.
As time passes, the landscape changes. The route descends to the western part of El Hierro, where the terrain becomes drier and more rugged. You’ll pass lava fields, strange rock formations, and expansive plains that showcase the island’s volcanic origins.
The endpoint of this stage, Faro de Orchilla, lies on the west coast and was once the westernmost point of the world. The lighthouse marks this historical site, which served as the prime meridian for years.
Distance: 21 km
Elevation gain: +200 meters / Elevation loss: -1530 meters
4 | El Sabinar The day begins at the shrine of Nuestra Señora de los Reyes, the island’s patron saint, and takes you to El Sabinar, famous for its wind-sculpted juniper trees. This route through La Dehesa, an expansive nature reserve, offers a beautiful experience. The famous “twisted tree” of El Hierro is located along this route.
Distance: 11.6 km
Elevation gain: +420 meters / Elevation loss: -430 meters
5 | An Extra Day in the Capital Valverde or at the Luxury Hotel on the North Coast The GR131 hike has been completed. You have the option to enjoy one more hiking day on the island. Since you can’t miss out on El Sabinar, we provide a walking route to see the island’s iconic “twisted trees.”
Distance: 16 km
Elevation gain: +1130 meters / Elevation loss: -1130 meters
6 | Your Journey on El Hierro is Coming to an End – What’s Next? In the afternoon, you’ll take the ferry back to Tenerife. But what’s next for your adventure? Will you stay a little longer to unwind on this versatile island, or is it time to head home?
Whether you want to relax for a few more days on El Hierro or Tenerife or head directly to the airport, we’re happy to assist you in making the right choice. Let us know your plans, and we will arrange the perfect connection – with transfers, extra nights, or helpful tips.
Your trip, your pace. We’ll take care of the rest. ✨
Inclusive
- Price is based on 2 persons
- Travel duration: 6 days
- Ferry Los Cristianos El Hierro
- Luggage transport
- GR131 Camino de la Virgin
- 1 extra walking day
- Accommodation with breakfast
- STO travel guarantee
- WhatsApp support
Exclusive
- Flights
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- All meals and drinks outside the program
- Booking costs €25.00
- Possible single room supplement
- Transfers outside the program
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 different 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
48 km
Difficulty
Easy/Medium
Up
1495 m.
Down
2207 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!
Can we help you further?
Non-binding and personal. We would like to help you further, via e-mail, telephone or whatsapp button on the site. We are available 7 days a week. During the weekend it can take a few hours before you can get a response from me.
Also you may request for a video-call.
