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WALK 2

Los Roques and La Laja

Start/finish	Degollada de Peraza
Distance	8.5km (5¼ miles)
Total ascent/descent	700m (2295ft)
Time	4hr
Terrain	Good paths and tracks, sometimes on very steep slopes. Fine valley and mountain views, although some parts are forested.
Refreshments	Bar at Degollada de Peraza
Transport	Buses reach Degollada de Peraza from San Sebastián, Playa de Santiago and Valle Gran Rey
Note	Route uses Ruta 29 and GR131

Motorists can start this walk at La Laja, climb to Los Roques, head for Degollada de Peraza and finish by descending to La Laja. Non-motorists can reach Degollada de Peraza by bus. The route follows fine stone-paved paths and includes remarkable scenery at Los Roques.

Buses stop at just over 900m (2950ft) at Degollada de Peraza, where there is a map-board and nearby bar restaurant. Follow Ruta 29 downhill for La Laja, soon keeping left at a junction to leave the GR131. The steep, winding, stone-paved path offers splendid views across the valley. Agaves, cistus and asphodel grow beside the path, with pines and tabaibal further down, and palms later.

Pass a ruined caseta and prickly pears. After turning round a side valley there is a good view of La Laja, with pines rising to the domes of Los Roques. Stone-paved zigzags drop into a valley. Climb up the other side, cross a slight gap and pass an almond tree. The path zigzags down past palms and reaches the first few houses in La Laja. Turn left as signposted for Los Roques. If starting from La Laja, find an electricity transformer tower on a road bend. Go down steps and turn right. Cross a concrete bridge over a stream. Zigzag up past houses and turn right as signposted for Los Roques.

Looking towards the domes of Los Roques from a high part of the walk

The path rises, with some level stretches and a water pipe alongside. Reach another junction and turn left up a stone-paved path beside pines. The path turns a corner and crosses a dip. Steps and tight zigzags climb through a forested side-valley, where stout eucalyptus trees have been felled or burnt. Leave the valley and start a climbing traverse across a slope of pines, crossing a couple more side-valleys on footbridges. There is a slight drop into another side-valley to cross another footbridge then the path climbs through the forested valley. A gap and a crumbling caseta are reached, with the mighty domes of Los Roques beyond.

Stone steps are climbed to join a main road near Roque de Agando

Turn left up a path and pass a ‘limite del parque’ notice. Heather trees appear as the path climbs the forested crest. The Roque de Agando comes into view and the broad path ends with flights of stone steps climbing to a main road. For a closer view of Roque de Agando turn right; otherwise turn left to return to Degollada de Peraza. The GR131 runs beside the GR131 beside the main road. See the middle of Walk 27 to follow the GR131 back to the start.