SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 21st October (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Department of Ecological Transition of the Cabildo of the Canary Islands is allocating an investment of 985,000 euros from Next Generation funds for the preservation and restoration of the Network of Summit Trails in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, located in La Palma.
This initiative specifically aims at enhancing and modernising the GR-131 Long-Distance Trail along with the short-distance paths that interlink with it, particularly targeting sections severely impacted by erosion, such as Roque de Los Muchachos and Pico de la Nieve.
The planned works aim to alleviate the detrimental effects of harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, as well as the sustained use of the terrain by walkers or the hosting of sporting events, whilst also supporting the preservation of the National Park itself.
Mariano H. Zapata, the Minister of Ecological Transition, highlighted the significance of this initiative. “The Caldera de Taburiente is a distinctive and iconic area of La Palma, boasting immense ecological and scenic importance. With an average of over 600,000 visitors annually and celebrating its 70th anniversary this year in 2024, it stands as one of the most frequented natural sites in the archipelago. The maintenance of its infrastructure is critical for its sustainability,” he remarked.
In this context, he pointed out that the current deterioration of the trails, exacerbated by erosion and the rising number of visitors, obstructs safe passage. This is why, as Zapata clarified, “an urgent intervention was essential to allow for the secure enjoyment of this natural setting; hence these works are already underway to enhance the condition of the surface in five segments of the pathway that experience issues from hydrological erosion in the form of gullies, debris on the surface or risks of uneven falls.”
Consequently, the primary goals of this project include restoring areas damaged by erosion, ensuring a stable surface, improving steeper sections to avert future erosion, and employing dry paving techniques to stabilise the pathways with retaining structures to prevent landslides. All these efforts also aim to reduce the visual impact by utilising local materials, thereby integrating the works into the surrounding natural environment. The Park is presently home to 12 marked trails, and these enhancements will encompass a total length of 1,274 metres.
The execution of the works will unfold in several stages, commencing with land preparation, followed by earthworks, paving, and ultimately the compaction of the sections. The affected segments will amount to 1,274 metres, spread across five critical areas of the trail. Specifically, the segments included in this project are: Somada Alta-Roque de Los Muchachos, Roque de Los Muchachos-Pico de La Nieve, and Pico de La Nieve-Pico de Las Ovejas.
