GR 131.1 Ramal Vallehermoso – Playa de Vallehermoso

This short branch of the GR 131 links the town centre of Vallehermoso with its coastal front, offering a gradual descent from the mid-altitude agricultural landscape to the island’s northern shoreline. At just over three and a half kilometres in length, it forms a natural extension of the main route toward the sea. The trail begins in the urban centre and, after passing through its first streets in the direction of the coast, turns toward the ravine bed. A small footbridge allows hikers to cross and enter a setting where relief and traditional agriculture shape a landscape of strong character. For much of the route, the path runs parallel to the ravine, at the foot of the imposing Roque Cano, one of the municipality’s most recognisable geological landmarks. The terraced slopes, supported by dry-stone walls, testify to centuries of agricultural use. Canary Island palms, banana plantations, and small orchards dot the valley floor, forming a fertile mosaic that contrasts with the verticality of the surrounding mountains. This section helps visitors understand the close relationship between the local population and the land, shaped by adaptation to a rugged terrain and the careful management of water resources. In its final stretch, the path crosses the ravine once again and approaches the coastline until reaching Vallehermoso Beach. This coastal enclave, inhabited since ancient times, played a significant role in the island’s economic history. Beneath the cliffs remain the ruins of an old loading crane, once used to facilitate the shipment and export of agricultural products at a time when maritime connections were essential to the island’s economy. Reaching the sea marks the natural conclusion of this GR 131 branch and offers the possibility of linking with other coastal itineraries. This section combines rural scenery, ethnographic heritage, and historical memory in a short yet meaningful walk.