GR 130: Camino Real around La Palma

An insight into the hike:

GR 130, Camino Real de la Costa y Medianías, circles La Palma on the historic links between its communities. Plaza de España in Santa Cruz de La Palma is the traditional starting point. From there, the long-distance route follows coastal slopes, middle elevations and old paved paths around the island before returning to the capital.

No other trail joins so many habitats and settlements: banana country east and west, dry volcanic slopes in the south, dragon trees and deep ravines in the north, plus hamlets, church squares, terraces and constantly changing Atlantic views. GR 130 tells a story of transport and settlement as much as nature.

The overall figures stored here—147.9 kilometres and 5,974 metres both up and down—describe the complete undertaking. One duration would be misleading: Sunhikes sensibly divides it into eight stages, whose demands depend on accommodation, transfers, weather and fitness. It is explicitly not a one-day circuit.

Each stage needs separate checking and booking; accommodation or return transport cannot be assumed at every finish. Luggage, water, heat protection and reserves for remote northern sections require genuine multi-day planning. This record presents the trail as a whole. Sunhikes supplies description, profile and practical details for every stage.