Autor de las rutas y fotos: Álvaro Monzón Santana
Description of the levels of difficulty for the walks:
It’s very important to read the technical details for each walk before heading off. Being aware of the level of difficulty for each walk is also useful, so you have some guidelines that you should take into account depending on your particular circumstances.
Easy-Family
Walk suitable for all ages, including young children. Some are easier circular routes. In any case, you should be in the habit of doing regular physical exercise.
Easy
Walk suitable for all ages, including older children. Some are easier circular routes. In any case, you should be in the habit of doing regular physical exercise. Unlike the Easy-Family level, these walks include the occasional difficult section.
Medium
Walk for hikers with some experience and a good level of fitness. Some sections could cause vertigo or be in poor condition and may include steep ascents or descents, longer times, etc.
Difficult
The indications for the Medium level walks apply, but these walks are more complicated, over many kilometres and eroded pathways. Recommended only for those with extensive experience in hilly terrain.
Guidelines for enjoying the countryside:
At times, ignorance of danger is even more of a risk than the danger itself. If you’re aware of the danger, you’re better equipped to protect yourself. Up in the mountains, we should follow the old saying “it’s better to be safe than sorry”. So although it might seem a minor consideration, it’s worth heading off to the outdoors well prepared, knowing that sometimes it’s better to head home early than keep going if you’re not sure.
It’s always an enjoyable experience to see the sharp ravines, mountains, ridges and slopes, rocky crags and natural areas, as well as the cultural attractions. But you should be aware that if you don’t take the necessary precautions, the experience can be far from pleasant.
It’s very important to always bear in mind some safety guidelines to protect us from potential risk, such as:
– Never go out alone. Always try to go with someone.
– Take a mobile phone, a whistle and a bright scarf that could be of use in case of accident.
– Caution and intelligence are the necessary ingredients to enjoy the mountains safely. Haste, stubbornness, confusion and exhaustion are not good companions. It’s important to know when to head home.
– When you’re caught out in bad weather, even the easiest things become difficult and the risks are greater: falling rocks or trees, lightning, disorientation, physical and mental fatigue… Keep calm, use your strength sparingly and always check the weather before you go out.
– It’s essential to have the right footwear, preferably hiking boots. Always take sun cream, a hat or cap and light, loose clothing. A stick can be useful for descents. You should also carry food to last five or six hours (particularly small items with high energy content) and at least a litre of water per person.
– Don’t litter or bury your rubbish: carry it with you until you find a bin. Leave only footprints.
– Don’t camp anywhere you choose – use camp sites, read the signs and follow the instructions of rangers, who watch out for the natural environment and the safety of the people using the area.
– Picking flowers and twigs is prohibited: leave them for others to enjoy. Don’t disturb the wildlife. If you take a pet, always keep it on a lead.
– Respect private property, including crops. Go silently through villages, without disturbing the peace and quiet of the people who live there. Don’t upset the harmony of the environment and don’t annoy others who want to enjoy the tranquillity nature has to offer.
– Remember to say hello to the people you meet. When you come across the locals, remember that people normally say hello to each other in the countryside. Keep up this friendly custom.
– Treat any springs, water courses or streams with care. Never pour remains of soap, detergents or contaminants in them and don’t throw rubbish in them.
– Be very careful with fire. Never light a fire, but if you do, always put the embers out and cover them with stones if necessary. Never throw cigarette ends on walkways.
– Close all gates you go through to stop stock or other animals going in or out.
– Treat cultivated land with care. Never walk on crops and avoid damaging stone walls.
– Try not to go off the marked path. Keep to the path and don’t take shortcuts, as they spoil the original track, damage the soil by increasing erosion and are more dangerous and tiring because of the slope.
– Protect the natural environment by setting a good example. Try not to leave any traces where the centuries have left none.
– In many Protected Natural Areas the regulations are continually updated. It’s a good idea to keep up to date and add the Canary Islands Government web page to your favourites, as it includes all the laws and planning considerations that affect each location.
The hiker’s 10 commandments:
I. Carry your rubbish with you or put it in the bin.
II. Whenever possible, leave your car at home.
III. Get it on, use it, but don’t leave it lying around.
IV. Home is where the hearth is – light your fire there.
V. If you want to make your mark, get a tattoo.
VI. Take nothing but photos.
VII. Keep your hands off the flowers.
VIII. The pub’s a better place for rowdy drinking.
IX. Get permission first if you want to sleep out.
X. Love the forest as you love yourself.
Legal notice:
The information contained in these walks is a guideline and its sole purpose is to promote sport in contact with the natural environment and educational country walks. Both Global and the author of these texts provide this information for the convenience of the users of these web pages, without offering any interpretation as to the current state of the walks or the facilities, quality, ownership etc of the areas they pass through.
Similarly, neither party is liable for any errors, omissions or, where applicable, any misdirection that could result in any incident to the users of these texts. You are reminded that hikers freely access these mountain areas through informed consent; that is, each individual must be responsible for their acts.
More info:
You can contact the photographer and author of these walking guides – Álvaro Monzón Santana – at: alvaromonzon@gmail.com
