As part of my attempt to fastpack the GR131 across the seven Canary Islands, I completed the first verified GR131 trail across Tenerife island. This was just one segment of a bigger effort, and I carried a big pack with camping equipment, so I left a lot of time on the clock. I hope this effort inspires others to substantially trim my record.
See below for an excerpt from a blog post I wrote about this effort.
https://ecologyofappalachia.blogspot.com/2025_12_27_archive.html?m=1
“Tenerife, or “white mountain,” named by the indigenous Guanche referring to Mount Teide (the tallest peak in Spain), was a beautiful trek along the GR131 filled with volcanic remnants and old growth Canary Island Pine groves - some trees reaching 800 years in age. I had to push it in this one because both my battery banks failed, so I had to make it through on my phone battery for maps. The first day was non-stop rain. I camped at the base of Mt Teide and it snowed that night. The next day was a bluebird day. I hustled down the mountain and asked an officer to call a taxi to get me on the last ferry to La Gomera. The police here are nice! I barely got on. Only three more islands left until I complete the GR131 across all seven of the Canary Islands. I’m cutting it close but I’m determined. Stay tuned!
On this island, I was rewarded with dozens of rare or endemic plant and bird species including Ring ouzel, Tenerife blue chaffinch, Great spotted woodpecker, Towering red taginaste, White-flowered Teide broom, Teide daisy, Fixweed, and Tenerife strawberry tree.”