Nice walking trip on Tenerife

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