GR 131: La Caldera to Vilaflor

The GR 131 through Teide is a one-way, 23.64-mile (38.1 km) crossing from La Caldera Recreation Area to Vilaflor de Chasna. It links three published sections: La Caldera–El Portillo, El Portillo–Degollada de Guajara, and Degollada de Guajara–Vilaflor. Their published time estimates add up to about 14 hours 40 minutes; allow at least 15 hours, plus breaks, and plan this as a staged trek with transport at the Vilaflor end. The route follows the old Camino Real de Chasna from the pine-covered north side of the island across Teide’s high volcanic landscape and down to Vilaflor.

The mapped line measures 38.1 km. The three stage descriptions total 37.5 km, a small difference between a mapped route and rounded stage figures. You may also see a 16.4 km figure for a “national park section,” but it comes without a distinct endpoint pair, while its map shows the full island route. This record follows the traceable La Caldera–Vilaflor itinerary; do not use 16.4 km as the length of this crossing.

Start by the car park at La Caldera Recreation Area. The footpath joins SL-TF 81 and climbs through dense pine forest toward Cruz del Dornajito. From there, track sections lead onto the old Royal Pathway of Chasna and keep climbing to the crossroads at El Portillo, where the visitor centre stands. This first section is listed at 13.1 km and about 5 hours 40 minutes, with a long ascent from the recreation area.

From El Portillo, the GR follows the old route across Las Siete Cañadas, the broad valley below Teide. The 13.1 km stage to Degollada de Guajara is listed at about four hours. Expect uneven ground, loose rocks and steep slopes. The branch signed GR 131.1 heads to the Parador; stay on the main GR if you are continuing south. Near Cañada de la Grieta, the distinctive Roque de la Grieta makes a good scale point in a photograph with the volcanic plain and trail in the foreground.

At Degollada de Guajara the route turns down from the high ridge. The final 11.3 km section takes about five hours. Volcanic tuff covers parts of the old Royal Pathway, then the GR enters pine forest and descends toward the Madre del Agua track and Las Mesas ravine before reaching Vilaflor. The route reaches roughly 2,425 m near Guajara and loses more than 1,100 m on this last section. The nearby Los Escurriales viewpoint is reached by the separate PR-TF 72 trail, so leave it out if you want to stay on the GR through-route.

Individual visitors do not need a reservation. Pets are prohibited in the national park; guide dogs for visitors with disabilities are excepted. La Caldera is the starting access, while Vilaflor is the far end, so arrange your own pickup or vehicle transfer before starting. No dependable drinking-water refill along this crossing was confirmed, and the visitor centre’s current services were not verified; carry a plan for the full distance rather than counting on an open facility. The route’s official stage estimates are long even before rest stops, and its high, rocky sections make this a serious undertaking.