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GR131 El Hierro — Camino de la Virgen

GR131 El Hierro — Camino de la Virgen — the trail guide

The GR131 El Hierro — Camino de la Virgen is a 38.5 km trek in Spain, typically walked in 1-2 days, with 1674 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric (43 m of gain per km, topping out at 1494 m).

The GR131 on El Hierro follows the Camino de la Virgen, the route walked every four years when the island carries its patron saint from the remote Dehesa across to Valverde. It climbs off the western lava fields into the misty laurel and juniper of the high ridge, runs the length of the island's volcanic spine with the Atlantic on both sides, and drops to the capital in the east. El Hierro is a UNESCO Geopark and the least-visited Canary island, so the trail is quiet even in season.

Quick facts

Distance38.5 km
Total ascent1674 m
Typical duration1-2 days
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
Steepness43 m gain per km
High point1494 m
CountrySpain
RegionSpain

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Moderate" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 5 m · high point 1494 m · 1674 m total ascent over 38.5 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 538 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan18°13°14 mm
Feb18°13°19 mm
Mar18°13°21 mm
Apr19°14°14 mm
May20°15°5 mm
Jun22°16°10 mm
Jul23°18°0 mm
Aug25°19°4 mm
Sep24°19°17 mm
Oct23°18°13 mm
Nov21°16°18 mm
Dec19°14°16 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the GR131 El Hierro — Camino de la Virgen?

The GR131 El Hierro — Camino de la Virgen is 38.5 km, and most hikers complete it in 1-2 days. Total elevation gain is 1674 m.

How difficult is the GR131 El Hierro — Camino de la Virgen?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 43 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 1494 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the GR131 El Hierro — Camino de la Virgen is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the GR131 El Hierro — Camino de la Virgen?

In Spain. The route starts near 27.727, -18.137 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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