Trek on the GR131 Canary Islands

GR131 Canary Islands: The Ultimate Trek Across 7 Islands

The complete GR131 across the Canary Islands is the ultimate challenge for hikers who want to discover the entire archipelago on foot. In approximately 6 weeks, you will hike across all seven Canary Islands: Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. In total, you will cover hundreds of kilometres and encounter volcanoes, mountains, forests, coastal paths and significant elevation changes. Each island has its own character and hiking experience. What begins on the volcanic trails of Lanzarote ends almost six weeks later on the peaceful and remote island of El Hierro. But this journey is not just about kilometres. You are completing the entire GR131 from the first island to the last. Canary-Hiking takes care of the practical arrangements along the way. Your luggage is transported, the necessary transfers are arranged and you travel between the islands by ferry. This allows you to focus on what this journey is really about: hiking, discovering and completing the next stage.
And then there is the finish.
After completing the entire GR131, you will receive all seven Canary-Hiking hiking pins. But that is not all. As proof that you have completed the full route, you will receive our large, heavy GR131 medal, presented in a stylish velvet box. A medal you do not simply receive. You have to hike for approximately six weeks to earn it.
Will you be one of the hikers who earns this unique medal?

Seven islands, one long-distance trek
The GR131 is a long-distance hiking route crossing the Canary Islands from north to south and from east to west. During this complete trek, you will hike the GR131 across all seven islands.

1. Lanzarote: Volcanoes and vineyards
Your adventure begins on Lanzarote, where the landscape immediately makes it clear that this is no ordinary hiking holiday. You will hike through volcanic landscapes, along the coast and through characteristic villages such as Haría and Teguise. The wine region of La Geria is also part of the route. The black volcanic soil and unique way in which wine is cultivated here give this part of Lanzarote its own distinctive character. Through the south, you reach Playa Blanca, where you take the ferry to Fuerteventura.

2. Fuerteventura: Long trails and open landscapes
On Fuerteventura, the landscape changes completely. The volcanic surroundings give way to vast open areas, sand dunes and long hiking trails. You start in the north near Corralejo and cross the island on foot. Along the way, you pass places such as La Oliva and Betancuria. The distances are often long, while the open landscape allows you to cover plenty of kilometres. In the south, you reach Morro Jable, where the Atlantic Ocean and long sandy beaches provide the backdrop.

3. Gran Canaria: Mountains, forests and valleys
From Fuerteventura, you continue to Gran Canaria. Here, the GR131 changes character once again. The island is known for its mountainous interior and great variety of landscapes. From Agaete, you hike towards the central mountain region. You cross the Tamadaba nature area, follow mountain trails and pass characteristic villages. Along the way, you will see landmarks such as Roque Nublo. The route then continues south, eventually descending towards Maspalomas.

4. Tenerife: Into the world of El Teide
On Tenerife, one of the highlights of the entire GR131 awaits: the high-altitude landscape around El Teide, at 3,715 metres the highest mountain in Spain. The route gradually climbs from the north. You hike through pine forests and across volcanic trails before reaching the open landscape of Teide National Park. The altitude makes this section particularly special. After crossing the volcanic highlands, you descend towards the south of Tenerife, finishing the route in Arona. Due to the forest fire on Tenerife, an alternative route is required for part of the original GR131.

5. La Gomera: Garajonay and green mountains
After Tenerife, you take the ferry to La Gomera. This small island immediately feels different. The mountains are steep, the landscape is green and at the heart of the island lies the remarkable Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You hike through laurel forests, across mountain ridges and past small villages. The route regularly takes you from the coast into the highlands and back again. Elevation changes are an important part of hiking on La Gomera. This creates a striking contrast between the sunny coast and the cool, green interior.

6. La Palma: Volcanoes and the Cumbre
On La Palma, also known as La Isla Bonita, the GR131 continues along the island’s central mountain ridge. You hike through extensive pine forests, volcanic landscapes and the volcanic areas in the south. At several points, the route follows the high Cumbre, with wide views across the island and the Atlantic Ocean. La Palma is one of the most impressive sections of the entire GR131. The combination of altitude, forests and volcanic terrain creates long hiking days with constantly changing views.

7. El Hierro: The final stages
And then comes the final island: El Hierro. The smallest and westernmost of the Canary Islands is the final destination of your GR131 adventure. Here, the landscape becomes quieter and you encounter very few other hikers. You hike across volcanic slopes, through forests and across open landscapes. The route includes sections of the historic Camino de la Virgen de los Reyes and takes you towards the western part of the island. When you have completed the final kilometres, the entire GR131 is complete.

What makes the complete GR131 so special?

✅ All 7 Canary Islands: hike the complete GR131 across Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.
✅ Approximately 6 weeks of hiking: a long-distance trek where hiking is truly the main purpose of the journey.
✅ Hundreds of kilometres: step by step, you complete the entire GR131.
✅ Seven completely different islands: from the volcanoes of Lanzarote to the forests of La Gomera and the tranquillity of El Hierro.
✅ Island hopping: travel between the islands is arranged, including the necessary ferry crossings.
✅ Luggage transfers: your luggage is transported between accommodations, so you hike each stage with only a light daypack.
✅ Canary-Hiking support: we arrange the logistics and transfers, allowing you to focus on the hiking.
✅ Seven Canary-Hiking pins: after completing each island, you receive another official pin.
✅ The ultimate reward: after completing the entire GR131, you receive the exclusive Canary-Hiking GR131 medal in a velvet box.

Hiking level
The complete GR131 is a very challenging long-distance trek designed for experienced hikers with an excellent level of fitness. You will be travelling for approximately six weeks and hiking several consecutive days at a time. The difficulty varies from island to island. Some stages are long and relatively moderate, while other days involve significant ascents and descents. On Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma, you will also regularly hike at higher altitudes. Good preparation is therefore essential. You should be comfortable with consecutive hiking days, longer distances and mountain terrain. This journey is not about ticking off a route as quickly as possible. It is about completing the entire adventure: every stage, every island and eventually those final kilometres.
Because you only receive the medal when you have completed all seven islands.

Included in this hiking holiday

✓ Complete GR131 trek across all 7 Canary Islands
✓ Approximately 6-week travel duration
✓ Overnight stays in carefully selected accommodations
✓ Luggage transfers between accommodations
✓ Ferry crossings between the islands
✓ All necessary passenger transfers during the trek
✓ Detailed Canary-Hiking travel guide with practical information
✓ Access to the Canary-Hiking travel app with daily programmes, routes, GPX files and accommodation details
✓ 1 month of free use of the Canary-Hiking Komoot app from the start of your trip
✓ 7 official Canary-Hiking hiking pins, one for each island
✓ Exclusive Canary-Hiking GR131 medal in a velvet box after completing the entire route