After a breakfast we start our journey from the stone cross, or cruceiro, in the front of the Parador. Our stage goes from Cruz de Tejeda to Alto de Pavón. We get our blood moving with a short but steep climb out of town, where we will have an impressive view of the volcanic crater below. After a spectacular photo opportunity is time to begin our descent.
As we work our way down from the vista point we will walk on coarse volcanic gravel paths through shady pine forests. As the Camino makes it way off the mountain towards Gáldar, pilgrims are rewarded with long stretches of pine forest. This is the Pinar de Gáldar, one of the largest pine forests in the archipelago that holds significant ecological and scenic value. It covers a vast area, encompassing dense forests of Canarian pine trees, rugged mountains, deep valleys, and steep cliffs. The area is a protected natural park, recognized for its ecological importance and biodiversity.
After making our way down we will stop for another Fresco Tours picnic amidst a new landscape. After lunch, we will continue walking with views of the blue sea below! Today is full of natural beauty and postcard views. After a full day of walking we will head to our accommodations in Gáldar for dinner. At our evening meeting our knowledgeable Fresco Tours guides will prepare us for the terrain tomorrow, explaining the map, where we will stop, and what to look at for on the path. Then it is time to get ready to finish our Camino de Santiago tomorrow.
