Hiking on the Camino del Guanche in Fuerteventura (GR131)

The first stage of the GR 131 in Fuerteventura is divided into two parts: Part 1 - A water taxi will take you to Lobos Island to hike around the island on the GR 131. This hike takes us back to the time when the first settlers used the island to obtain sealskins and make the shoes they wore on its trails. Part 2 - From the village of Lajares , located between El Cotillo and Corralejo , the GR 131 begins its descent southward, skirting the La Arena volcano , which, at 10,000 years old, is considered the youngest in Fuerteventura. The GR 131 of Fuerteventura, also known as the "Camino Natural" (natural path), soon reaches the first houses of La Oliva , a town with traditional Canarian architecture, with white houses with thick walls, which was the capital of the island between 1834 and 1860.

Today's stage takes you from La Oliva to Tefía, skirting the sacred mountain of Tindaya. This isolated mountain rises to 400 meters, and at its base, more than 300 ancient rock carvings depicting foot shapes have been discovered. After leaving the village of Tindaya, the GR 131 trail climbs ancient volcanic slopes, and along the way, the monument dedicated to Miguel de Unamuno , who was exiled to Fuerteventura during the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, suddenly appears. From the summit, you can see the ocean on both sides of the island, while a gentle descent leads you to the village of Tefía .

From Tefía, the trail is almost flat until the Santa Inés Valley . Then, the GR 131 begins its ascent towards one of the island's highest peaks, crowned by the Guise and Ayose viewpoint , featuring two enormous bronze statues over four meters tall representing the ancient Guanche kings of Fuerteventura. The viewpoint is a key spot for panoramic views of the entire island and one of the few inland sites in Fuerteventura that is very popular with tourists. Betancuria is already below, and all that remains is to descend into an idyllic town setting, whose architecture has remained unchanged.

The stage between Betancuria and Pájara, though short, is mountainous and involves constant ascents and descents. After the initial climb to the immediate peaks of Betancuria, the trail descends into the bed of a dry river: the Río Palma . Its underground waters nourish the crops of the Vega de Río Palma and lend the area lush fertility. Another climb now brings us closer to the Mirador de Las Peñas viewpoint . On a clear day, the island of Gran Canaria appears on the horizon from the summit of the Fuerteventura mountains. The trail then continues with a long descent towards Toto , and we finally reach the town of Pájara .

The taxi that will take your luggage to your next accommodation today will drop you off in El Cardón , a village near Mount Melindraga. From this strategic point, the GR 131 trail crosses a small mountain range towards the western side of Fuerteventura. This is one of the most sparsely populated and windiest areas on the island. The landscape is inhospitable, but the views are extraordinary. The trail descends gradually to the hermitage of San Benito Abad , near La Pared. At La Pared begins a vast stretch of sand that runs the entire length of the island from east to west. It is an area where two mountain ranges meet, forming the south and north of Fuerteventura.

Even today, the taxi carrying our luggage spares us from crossing the inhospitable sand desert that stretches across the island, a desolate expanse that adds little to the itinerary. Risco del Paso is a magnificent viewpoint overlooking the turquoise waters of Costa Calma and the starting point for a coastal hike. The trail sometimes follows the beach, sometimes the adjacent cliff, but remains in constant contact with the sea. This stop offers opportunities to refresh yourself in the sea along a path that ends at Morro Jable , a prime tourist destination.