Stage 1: Santa Cruz de La Plama – San Juan de Puntallana

The first stage of the La Palma Nature Trail, specifically the GR-130, also known as the Camino Real de la Costa y Medianías, starts at the iconic Plaza de España in Santa Cruz de La Palma.

Before setting off on the 11 km stage, take a moment's pause in this historic square and admire the Church of El Salvador, its beautiful fountain and the majestic Town Hall building. The church, built after the Christian conquest, has been remodelled and enlarged over time, while the Fountain and the Town Hall are more recent. The latter were built after the attack of the French pirate Leclerq, destroying much of the city, including the old town hall. This made it necessary to build the current town hall in 1588, using stone brought from the neighbouring island of La Gomera.

The stage begins at the aforementioned Plaza de España, before following Calle O'Daly, one of the main shopping areas of Santa Cruz de La Palma. A few steps away, when crossing the Avenida del Puente, it is possible to see the city beach, decorated with a striking sculpture of a cetacean that embellishes the landscape. Following the route along Calle Anselmo Pérez de Brito, we come to the El Enano Monument, located next to the Museo Naval - Barco de la Virgen. This museum is located inside a replica of the Santa Maria, the famous ship that took Christopher Columbus to the Americas.

Afterwards, the route continues crossing the Avenida de las Nieves and the ravine that gives it its name, the Barranco de Las Nieves, still in the city centre. Further on, after crossing the LP-1 road, take Calle Abenguareme for the last stretch before leaving the city behind and immersing ourselves in the island’s natural environment.

The route continues to the left along a dirt track, clearly signposted, reaching the first banana plantations shortly afterwards. After a short zigzagging stretch, the ascent begins along the Barranco de Carmen ravine to the LP-1 road. At this point, continue along the pavement before crossing the road at the zebra crossing at the roundabout connecting the LP-1 and the LP-20 ring road, which is also served by a pedestrian crossing.

The road continues uphill on a tarmac road reaching La Palmita, a quiet hamlet with a tradition of livestock farming, especially goat rearing. Then continue parallel to the LP-1 road, leaving it after crossing the LP-4 road, taking a dirt track shortly afterwards.

A few metres further on, the route continues parallel to the LP-1 road, but this time along a narrow path that runs along the right-hand side of the road. A little further on, we reach the Los Gomeros sculpture, erected in honour of the neighbouring islanders.

After another stretch parallel to the LP-1 road, it is time to cross the road, taking extreme precautions to begin the demanding ascent along a dirt and stone path that starts at the lower part of the Barranco Seco ravine. The effort of the ascent is amply rewarded by the spectacular views of the ravine and the immense Atlantic Ocean stretching into the distance.

The route continues along an asphalted road, passing through the houses of La Verada, surrounded by small orchards with different plantations. You then reach Lomo del Pino, crossing the La Lomadita local road and continuing along a dirt track. Descend again to cross the LP-1 road, always taking extreme precautions. From here, the route continues parallel to the road along a path protected behind the bionda, until it reaches the southern mouth of the Barranco del Agua Tunnel. At this point, take the tarmac track on the right, which serves as an alternative to the tunnel for motor traffic.

In the middle of the Barranco del Agua ravine, itself a site of special importance declares as a Site of Scientific Interest, we cross the LP-1 again to begin a short but intense climb along a path. This ascent culminates at the chapel of Santa Lucía, a simple traditional Canary Island building that houses a Flemish carving from the early 16th century, one of the oldest across the islands.

It begins a descent along an asphalted road that crosses the quiet and scattered district of Santa Lucía, until it crosses the familiar LP-1 road once again. After the crossroads, the route continues along a tarmac road, which soon becomes a dirt track between scattered houses. After passing two crossroads, a short stretch of road leads the traveller to the Avenida de Atabara, next to the Puntallana Public School.

The last few metres of the stage run along the aforementioned avenue, leaving the town's town hall on the left, until reaching the Church of San Juan Bautista, where this first stage of the GR-130 comes to an end.