Etapas_Senderismo_GR_131

The 9 Stages of the Fuerteventura Nature Trail

Fuerteventura is the oldest island in the archipelago, approximately 23 million years old. It has undergone numerous volcanic eruptions throughout its geological history, which is why it is characterized by sedimentary formations, submarine volcanic formations, and plutonic formations that make up the island block, which outcrops on the surface of the Betancuria Massif, where it reaches heights of more than 700 meters above sea level.

Fuerteventura has more than 255 kilometers of trails, with 21 different routes. All of them form the Fuerteventura Nature Trail Network.


The Gran Ruta 131 is part of an international trial. In Fuerteventura, it is divided into nine stages and crosses the island from north to south. A course that aims to connect all the Canary Islands, thus following the route of more than 5,000 kilometers in length, constitutes the European E7 trail. This great route starts in Hungary and reaches Portugal through Slovenia, Italy, France, and Spain, finally connecting with the Canary Islands via the GR 131.

Signposts on the Gr 131 route

The stages are marked by characteristic markings consisting of a white stripe on a red line. They are usually painted on tree trunks, stones, or specific supports.

Fuerteventura Ruta GR-131

Hiking along the volcanoes route
  • Path 1-Isla de Lobos
  • Path 2-Corralejo – La Oliva
  • Path 3- La Oliva – Tefía
  • Path 4-Betancuria
  • Path 5-Pájara
  • Path 6-La Pared
  • Path 7-Casas del Risco del Paso
  • Path 8-Morro Jable
  • Path 9- Punta de Jandía.

1st Path Isla de Lobos

We start on the island of Lobos, an islet located between the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. To access it, you have to take a boat from the Corralejo dock to the island, which takes about 15 minutes. A whole section full of fun if we dare to take the Watertaxi, with it we arrive in just 10 minutes, a route full of waves that guarantees a fun journey.

The route goes from the pier to the Martiño lighthouse. As soon as we arrived, we found a visitors’ center to find out everything we needed to know about the itinerary. We started the path towards Playa de la Concha, the main beach on the island.

On the way, we reach Salinas, a beautiful place full of charm. Leaving the Saladar to one side, we walk around ancient chimneys formed by mounds of volcanic rock. Until we reach the highest point of the island, La Montaña de La Caldera, 127 meters long, we can see a breathtaking landscape, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and the island of Lobos itself. After these impressive views, we continue our steps to the Faro de Martiño, inaugurated in 1865, and nowadays, it works automatically.

Hiking Route Isla de Lobos

Next stop, Las Lagunitas, where we find a different construction, a lime kiln built to construct the lighthouse in the middle of the 19th century. We finish our walk, seeing the fishermen’s huts and a rest area with room for interpreting the environment. In the same area is the only restaurant on the island.

2nd Path Corralejo – La Oliva.

From the old town of Corralejo, we start our route at the Plaza Patricio Calero up to Morro Francisco, which connects with the Ruta de Los Volcanes, a path full of beautiful scenery, including the volcanoes of Bayuyo and Calderón Hondo. The latter is not on the same route GR-131, but on the way, we can make a stop to see this marvelous nature.

This stage is 25 kilometers long; walking through the badlands, we can observe the traditional cultivation techniques of Fuerteventura, also called “Los arenas,” an ancient system of dry farming. After passing Caldera Encantada and Caldera Rebanada, we reach a crossroads where the local trail SL FV 2 starts, which leads to Calderón Hondo and continues towards Lajares, connecting again with the GR-131 in Lajares. We cross the village, heading south between different areas of cultivated “gavias” (for water use), which leads us to a rest area.

Hiking Route Corralejo - La Oliva

We continue our path along the track to the slopes of Tejate, skirting the mountain until we can see from above the windmills that end in the village of La Oliva. The section ends at the square of the church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, one of the most important churches on the island. La Oliva is of great cultural interest; behind the church, we find the La Cilla Grain Museum and, of course, the famous Casa de Los Coroneles.

3rd Path La Oliva – Tefía

A new path, starting from the Church of Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria, goes through the village to the petrol station, where at the back we continue along some dirt tracks towards the Montaña de Tindaya.

We continue along the Barranco de la Montaña de la Oliva ravine until we reach the foot of Montaña de Tindaya. Once we reach the village, we find the Ermita de Tindaya, in my opinion, the most petite and most beautiful hermitage I have ever seen.

Hiking Route La Oliva - Tefía

We continue southwards along the dirt tracks to the Montaña Quemada, where we find the great statue of Unamuno. The route in total is just over 16 kilometers, ending in Tefía, and it’s highly valued at Ermita de San Agustín.

4th Path Tefía – Betancuria

Heading towards Betancuria, we start from the Ermita of San Agustín de Tefía until we reach the Ecomuseum de la Acogida, where we discover the traditional agricultural life, a museum full of handicraft, livestock, and agricultural history. In total, this 4th path is approximately 17 kilometers long.

We continue our path until we reach the Molino de Tefía, whose architecture comprises six blades when usually there are 4. And from there we go in the direction of Montaña Bermeja, crossing the Llano del Leme, to reach the Llanos de la Concepción, and then we reach the village of Valle de Santa Inés.

Hiking Route Tefía - Betancuria

Once we are in the Santa Inés Valley, we head for the Guise and Ayose viewpoint, where we can see impressive views of the island and two enormous figures of the “Mahos” kings (ancient kings of Jandía and Maxorata). We start from the top, the descent to the Franciscan Convent of San Buenaventura, and finally to the square of the Church of Santa Maria de Betancuria, where our tour ends.

5th Betancuria – Pájara

It is the turn to start from the Plaza de la Iglesia de San María de Betancuria, to the Casa de los Beneficiados. We continue through a traditional farming area to reach the Degollada del Marrubio, with a maximum altitude of 588 metres.

Further on, we continue until we reach one of the most beautiful enclaves, the rest area called “Castillo Lara,” which leads us to the Casa de los Padrones, a hostel managed by the Cabildo of Fuerteventura whose purpose is to provide accommodation and serve as a framework for activities related to the natural environment.

We descend until we reach the Aula de la Naturaleza de Parra Medina, a natural facility with the material, didactic, and human resources necessary to support the development of environmental education programs. All the way, we will have Vega de Río Palma insight as we head towards it.

Passing through a small tunnel, we enter the Barranco del Río Palmas ravine. We leave the canyon, handing over a bridge, to continue to the Peñitas Dam. Once we reach the Valle de los Granadillos we climb up to the Degollada de Terequey.

Hiking Route Betancuria - Pájara

From here, we descend through the Barranco de Teguerey ravine until we reach the village of Toto. We pass the Hermitage of San Antonio de Padua until we reach Pájara, where we arrive at our goal, the Plaza de la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Regla.

6th Path Pájara – La Pared

A 24-kilometer trail that starts from the Church of Nuestra Señora de Regla square in Pájara follows a dirt track to a rest area with images representative of the nature trail.

We ascend several hills, passing through the Degollada Honda, reaching a mountain road that presents some difficulty until we get the Filo de Tejeda; in this part, we must pay special attention to the red and white trail signs painted on the rocks. We continue along the crest of Filo de Tejeda and descend a little until we reach a metal gate that we must go round until we return to the path.

Hiking Route Pájara - La Pared

We ascend to Morro del Morralito, where we find another rest area, and then descend to the village of El Cardón. Cross the town and continue down the mountain’s slopes, passing a cheese factory, until you finally reach La Pared

7th Path La Pared – Risco del Paso

We set off from La Pared on a new path that stretches for about 18 kilometers. We cross the village towards the coast, following a jable track (in this section, we can see the most extensive fossilized dune formation on Fuerteventura), in the direction of Piedras Negras. Once here, we can see the windmills of the wind farm.

The whole of this part of the Jable track runs along the Camino de los Presos (the Prisoners’ Path) (it was built by political prisoners and went all the way to Cofete). Along the way, you can see the cobbled limestone sections of the old path, although many of them are hidden under the sand due to the dunes.

We continue for 10 kilometers along the sandy Jable path towards the slopes of Lomo Cuchillete, where the landscape gradually becomes more vegetation along the bed of the Barranco Vachuelo de Cuevas Labradas ravine.

Hiking Route La Pared - Risco del Paso

We arrive at the Casas de Pecenescal; descending along the ravine, we follow the coastal path, reaching the Casas del Risco del Paso until we go to the Playa de Sotavento. Our goal on this is the seventh trail.

8th Path Risco del Paso -Morro Jable

We are less than 15 kilometers away from the end of our Gr 131 route on Fuerteventura. This particular stage is just over 15 kilometers long and starts from the beach of Risco del Paso, which is part of the Natural Park of Jandía.

The nature trail runs along an undulating terrain parallel to the long beaches. In its first section, the terrain is perfectly delimited by stones, so it was elementary for us to reach the marvelous beach of Mal Nombre. Once there, we go around the beach bar until we get the dirt track that takes us to our goal.

Hiking Route Risco del Paso - Morrojable

We continue walking along the beach of El Matorral, overlooking the Saladar de Jandía, from where we can take another path that goes up to the Pico de La Zarza (PR FV 54). Finally, we reach the lighthouse of Morro Jable, where our 8th stage ends.


9th Path Morro Jable – Punta de Jandía

Our last day has arrived! The route starts at the beaches of Morro Jable, until we reach a wonderful viewpoint, where we can see the village and its beautiful lighthouse.

Crossing the village, we head towards the cemetery of Morro Jable, which is the starting point of the dirt track. On the way through the extensive plains of the Tableros de Peñas Blancas and Casa de la Señora until we reach a rest area, from where we can see the Jorós Valley (there are large tomato plantations).

We approach the coast again to the Valle de Los Mosquitos, from where we walk approximately 10 kilometers, passing by small cliffs, the mouths of the ravines, and various beaches until we reach the hamlet of “El Puertito”.

Hiking Route Morrojable - Punta de Jandía

The trail ends at the small village of “Puerto de la Cruz”, which is the settlement with the largest number of inhabitants in the Jandía Natural Park. We continue for the last kilometer until we reach our destination, the lighthouse of Punta de Jandía.

Surprise yourself and experience the interior of Fuerteventura! Every moment a memory, and every memory a new sensation to feel.

Fuerteventura Times

 

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