Contramapas is making significant strides across the stunning Canary Islands, recently arriving in Fuerteventura after successfully completing its initial stages in La Graciosa and Lanzarote. This exciting transfer between the islands took place on Tuesday, facilitated by Fred. Olsen Express, a key sponsor of this third edition of the project initiated by the Atlas Cultural and Environmental Association. The journey will cover nearly 600 kilometers of the GR131 trail, culminating at the Orchilla Lighthouse in El Hierro on May 30th.
Support from Fred. Olsen Express
Fred. Olsen Express continues its unwavering support for Contramapas for a second consecutive year, enabling all necessary maritime transfers between the islands. This initiative transforms the GR131 Long Trail into an open-air classroom, reinforcing the role of the territory as a space for learning, coexistence, and community connection. The company will provide all planned inter-island connections this month, including:
- 6th May: Lanzarote to Fuerteventura
- 12th May: Fuerteventura to Gran Canaria
- 16th May: Gran Canaria to Tenerife
- 19th May: Tenerife to La Gomera
- 24th May: La Gomera to La Palma
- 28th May: La Palma to El Hierro
Education at the Forefront
This year, the project places education at the heart of the experience through ‘Aula GR131: Connecting Trails,’ a pedagogical initiative developed in collaboration with the General Directorate for Teaching Order, Inclusion, and Educational Innovation of the Government of the Canary Islands. This initiative integrates eight public educational centers from each island into an experiential learning project aimed at fostering direct knowledge of the environment.
Having already completed stages in La Graciosa and Lanzarote, the team has surpassed 100 kilometers of the nearly 600 that make up the GR131, a vital route that will connect the entire archipelago on foot for a month. The transfer from Playa Blanca to Corralejo aboard the Bocayna Express marks the beginning of the route on this island, where Contramapas will continue to develop new educational walks with participating students from Aula GR131 before moving on to Gran Canaria.
A Multidisciplinary Voyage
The initiative is led by Manuel Cabezudo and a multidisciplinary team that includes Elena Carbó, Pedro Padilla, Laura Purroy, Judith Flores, and student Lucas Ramírez, who has been invited to undertake the full journey. Contramapas uses hiking as a tool to promote environmental, cultural, social, and educational values, establishing a format that has evolved with each edition: first through culture, then through social inclusion, and now through education.
“Often we speak of the GR131 as a trail that connects the Canary Islands by foot, but it is equally a route that involves sailing. The maritime journeys are a natural part of the route, and that’s why Fred. Olsen Express’s partnership makes so much sense in Contramapas. Having a Canary Islands-based company with us in this island connection allows us to see the archipelago as a continuous territory and to continue developing the project coherently and safely,” explains Manuel Cabezudo.
Institutional Support
Contramapas, which can be followed 24 hours a day, enjoys the backing of public and private institutions that make this project possible. These include the Government of the Canary Islands, the Ministry of Social Welfare of the Lanzarote Cabildo, the Natural Environment, Sustainability, Safety, and Emergencies Area of the Tenerife Cabildo, the Ministry of Social Welfare of the La Palma Cabildo, the Ministry of Social Welfare of the El Hierro Cabildo, the El Pinar de El Hierro Town Hall, Casa África, LPGC 2031, the UD Las Palmas Foundation, Fred. Olsen Express, Xtravans, Bull Timing, and the Líneas Romero Foundation, alongside collaborative entities such as Meraki, Transpirenaica Social and Solidaria, and Urmuga.
