Vilaflor: Lunar loop

This lovely route offers a wide variety of landscapes found in the Teide National Park. The volcano, the Cañadas caldera, a lunar passage, a green forest are all highlights of this route. The departure is in the center of the village of Vilaflor at the center bus stop served by lines 342, 474 and 482.

The start of the route crosses the village before embarking on the GR 131 path. The route is carried out in two almost equal parts. A first portion consists of climbing to the foot of the Guajara before continuing with a magnificent and long downhill section.

During the ascent you climb into the heart of a remarkable pine forest typical of the island. Along the way, you pass among eroded rocks whose invigorating colors catch your eye. You then leave the yellow and white markings of the GR 131 to head towards the Ucanca valley. Raw and preserved, this space transports you to the top of the walls of the Cañadas caldera. A breathtaking view of Teide and the caldera is then revealed to you. On the other side, the view extends to the shores of the island.

A final portion including a relatively steep slope leads to the foot of the Guajara. If you feel like it, you can leave the route to conquer the highest point of the caldera at 2,718 meters. Then, you begin the long descent which leads back to Vilaflor. This begins on the GR 131 with a pleasant path which winds along the sides of the mountain. Overall, the slope is gentle and pleasant and allows you to fully enjoy the beauty of the landscapes.

Before returning to the forest, you cross a part that looks like a lunar setting. You leave the GR again for a secondary track. Shortly after entering the forest you pass near new surprising geological formations. The slope gradually softens as you reach the route at the start of the route. Definitively back on the GR 131, this guides you to the town center of Vilaflor