GR 130: Santo Domingo to El Tablado

An insight into the hike:

From Santo Domingo, this GR 130 stage enters the wild heart of Garafía's coastal landscape. Beyond Mirador El Chorro, the old Camino Real crosses a succession of ravines and tiny hamlets: Barranco de la Luz, El Palmar, El Mudo, Montaña La Centinela and Valle Rey reveal ever-changing views of the sparsely settled northwest.

Around Don Pedro the vegetation grows denser and more humid. Barranco de la Magdalena impresses with a striking basalt wall, while Mirador de la Calzada later opens the coast. The final major incision is Barranco de Fagundo before El Tablado is reached between Fagundo and Barranco de los Hombres.

Across 12.8 kilometres, the route accumulates 1,063 metres up and 1,071 down. Constant climbing and descending on old steps, ravine flanks and occasionally damp paths makes the stage hard. A steady pace and enough strength for the last counter-climbs are crucial.

Northern bus links are limited, so transfer, taxi or a firm pick-up in El Tablado should be arranged beforehand. For original villages and dramatic barrancos, this is one of the finest coastal stages. Sunhikes supplies the precise line and every passage through the settlements.