{"id":29368,"date":"2024-04-21T15:54:55","date_gmt":"2024-04-21T13:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leo-reuter.de\/siebeninseln\/?p=29368"},"modified":"2024-10-20T10:46:31","modified_gmt":"2024-10-20T08:46:31","slug":"gr-132-stage-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leo-reuter.de\/siebeninseln\/en\/la-gomera-en\/gr-132-stage-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Long-distance hiking trail GR-132 Stage 5 – Valle Gran Rey to Playa Rajita"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Long-distance hiking trail GR-132 Stage 5 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this article, I’ll describe the 5th stage of the long-distance hiking trail GR-132 from Valle Gran Rey to Playa Rajita. On the small Canary Island of La Gomera, there are the long-distance hiking trails GR-131 and GR-132. While the GR-131 runs through the heights of the island, the GR-132 trail meanders up and down along the coast, more or less parallel to the numerous ravines. I’ve described my hike on the GR-131 from San Sebastian over the heights of La Gomera to Valle Gran Rey here<\/a>. On my first attempt to circumnavigate the island, I walked around the island’s left side and already described Stage 8, San Sebastian – Playa Santiago,<\/a> on SiebenInseln.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Track<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I’ve described the first stage from San Sebastian to Hermigua here<\/a>. You can find the 2nd stage from Hermigua to Vallehermoso here<\/a>. Stages 3 and 4 from Vallehermoso to Valle Gran Rey can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And now, as a „reminder,“ here are all the stages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The long-distance hiking trail GR-132 is divided into the following officially signposted stages:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1.0 San Sebastian – Hermigua – approximately 26 kilometers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.0 Hermigua – Vallehermoso – approximately 19 kilometers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.0 Vallehermoso – Alojera <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.0 Alojera – Valle Gran Rey – approximately 22 kilometers (3 and 4)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.0 Valle Gran Rey – La Dama – approximately 18 kilometers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.0 La Dama – Alajer\u00f3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.0 Alajer\u00f3 – Playa de Santiago – approximately 23 kilometers (6 and 7)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8.0 Playa de Santiago – San Sebastian – approximately 23 kilometers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Track<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

General information about the GR-132 Stage 5 hike – Valle Gran Rey to Playa Rajita<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Starting Point and Access<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You start your hike in Valle Gran Rey. My track starts in the V\u00faeltas district because we found accommodation there for the night. But wherever you are in Valle Gran Rey, the actual hike starts on the GM-1, the Carretera General Valle Gran Rey near the Calera district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Starting<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Access by car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can reach Valle Gran Rey via the main island road GM-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access by bus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bus line 1 operates between San Sebastian and Valle Gran Rey. For more information, visit the website here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I’m hesitant to give time estimates since hiking is quite individual. For this section, we needed 9 hours with several long breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elevation<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Elevation Change and Distance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The route is a little over 22 kilometers long, with just over 1100 meters of elevation gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elevation<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You’ll be hiking on a well-maintained long-distance trail, where only a few spots require a head for heights and good surefootedness. However, due to the distance and elevation gain, good physical condition is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This section is the most remote part of the entire circumnavigation of La Gomera. You’ll arrive at La Dama shortly before Playa Rajita at the end of the stage. If you can’t find accommodation there, be prepared to sleep outdoors. (See also under the section Refreshment). Therefore, items such as a sleeping bag, mat, lamp, and suitable clothing are essential to carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This naturally includes water and sufficient provisions for 1.5-2 days (Valle Gran Rey to Alojer\u00f3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refreshment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are bars and restaurants only at the starting point in Valle Gran Rey. Along the way, you’ll ultimately only find a bar in La Dama, which may also be closed from time to time. When we arrived there on Christmas Day, the restaurant was closed, so we could only request water from helpful residents in La Dama. Therefore, take as much water as possible with you on this section. Otherwise, in La Dama, you have the option to ask residents for water for a small fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also have sufficient provisions with you. This was the only stage where we couldn’t find accommodation and slept in sleeping bags on the beach of Rajita. There is apparently accommodation in La Dama, but it’s often booked well in advance. If you’ve found accommodation, that’s great. Otherwise, be prepared to sleep on the beach on this section if you don’t want to. If you don’t want that, you should avoid this remote stage.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Track<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Variants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a variant, I can only offer you the reverse direction for this lonely section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But at the beginning of GR-132 Stage 5, the trail is identical to the Great Valle Gran Rey Hike<\/a> as well as the island crossing on the GR-131<\/a>, which you can find both on SiebenInseln.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"View<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Circular hike GR-132 Stage 5 from Valle Gran Rey to Playa Rajita<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Route Section Valle Gran Rey to Degollada de Cerillal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You start your hike on GR-132 Stage 5 at the GM-1, Carretera General Valle Gran Rey (roundabout in the Calera district). From here, you walk along the road for a while on the signposted hiking trail upstream towards the El Guro district. After about 10-15 minutes, a small path, Camino los Reyes, branches off to the right into a palm grove. Follow this path, cross a path, and continue uphill to the rock wall. Along the rock wall, the path leads you left to a small chapel, the idyllic Ermita de los Reyes. The path continues along the rock wall even after Ermita de los Reyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"View<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Then the red and white marked hiking trail GR-132 branches off to the right. This path leads you steeply uphill in numerous small switchbacks, first on the right and then on the left side of the slope. After some time, the path forks again. Continue to follow the GR-132 to the right up the mountain. Initially, the path runs along a barranco groove, then it goes uphill on rocky narrow paths along the ridge for a while. Your good condition is needed here. At 660 meters altitude, you reach the ridge, Degollada del Cerillal. The hard climb is rewarded with a wonderful view in all directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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