A nice three weeks exploring the GR131 trail across the Canary Islands to celebrate another good year and to ring in 2026.
5 islands, 300 miles on foot, and 53,000ft of climbing.
I intended to complete all seven islands but left the last two (La Palma and El Hiero) for later to spend a few days at a resort relaxing. This trail stretches across a volcanic archipelago where every island is very different. Lanzarote is the oldest island with low topographic relief. Fuerteventura is a popular surfing destination with white sand beaches, perched dunes, and mountains. Gran Canaria is lush in the north and dry in the south, with Sedona and Grand Canyon-like scenes and has jagged volcanic remnants and many indigenous caves. Tenerife is filled with old growth Canary Islands pine groves and Mt Tiede which is the highest point in Spain. And La Gomera has a labyrinth of tropical forest, farm and field.
All islands have a patchwork of tight-knit communities with at least one soccer field, town square, church, and cafe. A beautiful place in the globe for me to travel abroad for the first time (aside from a small trip to Montreal).
It was nice to spend some time with new and old friends, soak in the sun, and get some good movement in. A couple more days of reflection and relaxation before heading back to Maine. I feel so grateful I have the ability and desire to travel this way. Cheers!
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