Treking the GR130 Camino Real - the Walk of Kings

La Palma GR130 is a circular route of approx 145km which goes around the periphery of the island taking in hidden hamlets, rural paths, deep ravines, pine forests, cliff tops and a lava field! Good stamina is required and to walk the whole of the GR130 is a supreme challenge - it's The Palmathon!                    
With different accommodations along the way, the route is usually walked in eight to ten days although this can be adapted to suit.
* Your luggage can be transported between accommodations and along with suitable accommodation, we arrange this for you.
Please contact us for details.

Arrive at Santa Cruz de la Palma Airport (SPC) and travel to your accommodation. The rest of the day/evening is yours to explore the beautiful and historic capital city of Santa Cruz de La Palma, to spend time sauntering along the cobbled streets, admiring the mansions with wooden balconies and enjoying a drink at one of the plaza cafes. Or you might wish to swim and laze on the beach of Santa Cruz or at the nearby resort of Los Cancajos.

Your walk begins directly from your accommodation on what is one of the shorter sections and a good introduction to walking on La Palma.
Leaving Santa Cruz and passing by the outlying houses, the first ascent is made up a winding path which gives a great view over the sea, Santa Cruz and to the south of the island.  After passing the chapel of Santa Lucia, the village of Puntallana is reached.

Very much about diversity, the route passes through open countryside to banana plantations, a major ravine and even a short section of beach which is the only one on the route. The walk ends at the village San Andres with its cobbled streets, quaint houses and 15th century church - doubtless the prettiest village on the island, San Andres.

The route goes sharply up to Los Sauces town with a great view of its famous suspension bridge. After navigating a ravine, the elephant-eared ñame or yam on the path may remind you of Jurassic Park! Caves stacked like apartments over two floors follow with forest and donkey tracks gently bringing you into Barlovento.

Now on the north coast of La Palma, the hamlet of La Tosca with its large group of ancient dragon trees is quickly reached. With stunning views all the way, more caves are passed followed by the steep village of Gallegos. In a deep ravine, Mexican-style cactus grow and further on, wooden-roofed dwellings are to be seen on the slopes.

From spread out ridges of land which form Franceses and its little village, a deep ravine is crossed to the hidden hamlet of El Tablado followed by another ravine to tiny Don Pedro. Along the way there are caves and more wooden-roofed dwellings before opening onto flatter land but with the whole route providing dramatic views of the coast.

Leaving Santo Domingo village with its communal washing tubs and ancient windmill, undulating hills give way to pine forests and the terrain becomes gentler. Passing by the curious Las Tricias, a lesser ravine is traversed and an immense dragon tree is passed. The small town of Puntagorda is passed through before continuing to Tinizara.

The final section of the north passes through agricultural land with plantations of oranges, bananas and avocados after which the town of Tijarafe is passed through. The route continues to wend its way above the coastline until descending and crossing the spectacular Barranco de Angustias then heading up to the city of Los Llanos.

After the interesting outskirts and the old road of Los Llanos which is followed by country lanes and tiny hamlets, the route suddenly takes you across a truly volcanic landscape where you walk on fields of solidified lava. Then, ascending through a pine forest, the route leaves the GR130 and descends down to the town of Fuencaliente.

The final and longest section of the walk, although not the hardest, is finally reached. Emerging from the pine forests at the start of the walk, open countryside is reached followed by an abundance of decorated crosses and then a gradual descent down into Santa Cruz, emerging like Kings into the Plaza de España and this great historic city.

With a final night spent in Santa Cruz or the nearby resort of Los Cancajos, it's time to relax, maybe enjoy a swim and reflect back on what has been an amazing achievement.  Or maybe you'd like a second week on the island to enjoy even more great walks!