Fuenteventura means “strong winds” or “strong adventure” in Spanish. Having just traversed the 100-mile GR131 section from Corralejo to Punta de Jandia (end to end), I can confirm both are true. Both terminuses are surf towns; the north is built up and a popular destination for European vacationers. The south is very rural and picturesque with volcanic mountains and white sand beaches. Everything in between is a patchwork of tight knit farming communities. Every town has a square, a church, a good cafe and a Christmas tree.
This trail was chock full of diversity in landscapes, from massive calderas in the north, to malpais (“bad lands”) boulder fields, perched dune desert, and lots of beaches.
After staying at a hotel to charge everything up and do laundry, I got on trail and camped along the way in abandoned backyards, beaches and farmlands. Last night, near the end, having hiked 31 miles, I hung out with some local surfers in the south before making the final push. Lots of open land, barrel waves, and built out off-road camper vans that dot the landscape. They know how to live.
This effort is part of my attempt to record the @fastestknowntime across the GR131 trail on all seven of the Canary Islands. For this section, I established the fastest known time on Fuerteventura.
So many birds on this island. Some highlights include Buzzard, European stonechat, Canary Islands stonechat, black-bellied sand grouse, chiffchaff, stone curlew, grey heron, little egret, etc
Now to take a ferry to Gran Canaria to start that trail. Cheers
Fuerteventura 164k (102 miles) 13,550 gain
