GR131 Canary Islands, Day 2 – Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026
No rain was forecasted after yesterday afternoon, but as we lay in the tent last night, we could hear rain showers throughout the entire night. The last one hit right as we were eating breakfast, which meant we had to pack down a soaking wet tent.
We started the hike in our rain gear, but fortunately, there were only a few brief showers during the day, so I was eventually able to switch to shorts. Even so, the temperature never climbed above 66°F (19°C).
The GR131 was easy trekking today with no significant climbs. We could see over half a dozen volcanic peaks rising above the relatively flat landscape.
Along the way, we passed several cultivated areas where the ground was pitch black from ash and lava. Interestingly, the ash actually helps retain moisture in the otherwise dry soil.
Wild camping is prohibited in the Canary Islands, so for our next two nights on Lanzarote, we’ve booked apartments. To make the logistics work, we’ve planned some comfortably short daily stages.
Since we hiked further than planned yesterday, today’s trek was quite short, and it didn’t take long before we reached Teguise. Even though we’d recently finished breakfast, we couldn’t resist the temptation when we passed a bakery smelling of fresh, warm pastries. You’re allowed to indulge a little when you’re on a trek!
Today’s journey ended in the small town of San Bartolomé. We arrived around 1:00 PM and spent a good hour at a bakery before strolling over to our apartment. Check-in wasn’t until 3:30 PM, but we had hoped to get in by 3:00.
No luck. We had to wait patiently in the wind for half an hour.
Once inside, we were met by a rude and grumpy host.
The apartment didn’t live up to expectations either; the description claimed it was 80 m² (approx. 860 sq. ft.), but I measured it to be only 26 m² (280 sq. ft.). That’s quite a discrepancy! The terrace, which was still wet from the rain, was large, so the host likely included that in the total square footage.
Reading the reviews now, we see that many guests have been dissatisfied here before us. Luckily, it’s only for one night.
Today’s stats: 15 km (9.3 miles) and 150 meters (490 ft) of elevation gain.