Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 10 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The Cabildo de Tenerife is set to enhance a section of the GR-131 Great Trail from Taganana to the Mota table, linking various population centres within the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve.
The Ministry of Natural Environment, Sustainability and Safety and Emergencies has recently awarded the contract for the project drafting to GMI SLP engineering firm for a sum of 14,980 euros, with an execution timeline of three months.
Blanca Pérez, the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Safety and Emergencies, states in a communiqué that the objective of this initiative “is to establish a pedestrian trail marked with the GR emblem, facilitating exploration of the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve on foot while ensuring safety, showcasing its natural, historical, cultural, and heritage values.”
Additionally, Pedro Millán, the island director of Natural Environment, elaborates that “the project aims to extend the GR-131 Great Path by connecting it to Anaga, which involves improving and marking the existing routes.”
In this regard, the project must detail the technical solutions and specific intervention actions necessary for the effective execution of the path, as stipulated in Decree 11/2005, dated February 15, which establishes the Canarian network of trails and regulates the management, homologation, and conservation of the paths within the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands.
GR-131 Path
This route traversing forested areas and peaks is the sole long-distance path on the island, spanning 85.5 kilometres.
The trail features a total ascent of 5,289.59 metres and a total descent of 5,565.58 metres, with a maximum altitude of 2,417.57 metres and a minimum of 626.99 metres.
Due to its considerable length, the path is generally divided into five stages, which can be undertaken separately: from the hope to the boiler, the boiler to El Portillo, from the gate to the swallow of Guajara; from the Swing of Guajara to Vilaflor, and from Vilaflor to Arona.
Last year, the Cabildo de Tenerife initiated a participatory process to develop new trails and pathways within the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve.
To this end, several meetings have been conducted with the municipalities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Laguna, and Tegueste, aiming to identify and integrate them into the existing network.
A primary objective of this strategy is to promote active mobility, connecting different population centres of the biosphere reserve on foot, while linking these areas with various natural, heritage, tourism resources, or existing recreational facilities such as leisure areas, shelters, and visitor centres.
Enhancing connectivity within the network is considered one of the foundational pillars to promote the values of the biosphere reserve, alongside environmental education, which is essential for its necessary conservation.
