Star walkers complete the GR130 route around La Palma

Our huge congratulations to Christine of Star Trex, Jen and Bill, who all completed the GR130 route right around La Palma on Saturday, 2nd October.

Jen, Bill, Christine and Dave

It is a fantastic and impressive achievement - approximately 155 km along forest trails and volcano fields, pretty country paths and coastal ways, cobbled streets and deserted wilderness, ridiculously steep country lanes and not forgetting the numerous deep and rugged ravines to be traversed - completed in just ten days, with two rest days included.  To add to the constantly changing conditions underfoot and the scenery surrounding them, they also had challenges from up above with rain on the first day, then hot sun virtually all of the rest of the route and some thankfully slightly cooler weather towards the end.
Back up was provided by Dave with whom they stayed in phone contact and if the team were not actually walking directly to or from their accommodation, Dave was there to drop them off or pick them up.  Bailey was the fifth member of the team who did nothing but wag his tail, run around looking happy, bark once and sleep.
Very well done team - you are all stars!
Really, it was a privilege to meet them all and be a small part of their great challenge. They stayed with us here in Franceses for four nights and I am glad they had time to enjoy some of the facilities including the 'party port.'  They certainly deserved a sit down!

If you think you would like to walk the GR130 route on La Palma, either self-guided or with Christine, just send me an email or if you would like to walk in Tenerife with Christine, do drop into her website.  Apart from being a qualified mountain leader plus having walked extensively in the UK and spent eight weeks trekking in the Himalayas, she is a great guide and an inspirational person.

Walking the GR 130

Map board in Franceses, Garafia

Welcome to all those interested in reading about walking the GR 130, the route which goes right around the island of La Palma, Canary Islands.

The aim of this blog is to

1) provide information about the GR130 route for those who plan to walk it
2) stop me boring readers of our www.fincafranceses.blogspot.com by going on about the GR130
3) provide a more chatty report about the route than is appropriate on our website www.holiday-lapalma.com

Please feel free to join in and comment with your own tips and advice as David and I take up our wanderings around the island.

So, to start with, an advice section:
I have noticed that many people are doing very nicely without my help or advice. However, if I were allowed to make three suggestions, they would be this:

In places, finding the signs to follow the trail can be like a treasure hunt. And then in places, where there is no possible deviation along the path, you will find a very clear sign. Don't let this annoy you - it's all part of the richness of life along the GR130.
Organise you accommodation so that you can walk without your great big rucksack. This is imperitive. The way you can do this is to book two nights and then catch the bus back to your start point. If you cannot do this or do not plan to do it, you must, MUST, travel light. It is not just the distance that will challenge you, it is the heat which can be debilitating, but the incredible and constant change of altitude.
And lastly, carry a bus timetable with and list of taxi phone numbers. That way, you have an exit plan.
And finally, book your accommodation in advance. We have had guests still looking for accommodation when it is nearly dark.
OK, so that was four suggestions, but the GR130 is like that!