HIKING IN LA GOMERA: 9 BEST TRAILS

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Located 100 Km off the coast of Morocco La Gomera is the hidden gem in the Canary islands. La Gomera is the second smallest of the Canary islands. Despite its small size La Gomera boasts a rich diversity of microclimates and landscapes. With its population of only 23 000 people some La Gomera villages are pretty deserted and walking on their streets and trails is an authentic off the beaten path experience. You can walk an almost entire village bumping into nobody on the streets.

I felt in love with the island and spent three months there and explored many of its beaches and hiking trails. In this guide I am sharing with you the best hiking trails and all you need to know to make the best of your visit to this amazing island.

The island features an almost circular shape of around 24 km in diameter and 370 square meters which its highest point ,“ alto de Garajonay”, at 1484 meters. From deep abrupt ravines to lush green forests, La Gomera is the best hiking destination in the Canary islands and one of the best hiking destinations in Spain. The Canary islands are also one of Europe top budget destinations.

La Gomera is called also “ the magical island”, a well deserved name, as there are several devotional places where the ancient aboriginal inhabitants of the island performed rituals to their Gods. Some of La Gomera trekking routes will bring you to these mysterious places, walking through breathtaking landscapes.

The top hiking area of the island is the “Garajonay national” park, in the center of the island, however there are many other trekking trails spread all around “La Gomera”

👉 I recommend this hiking in Garajonay national park tour

If you are looking for a walking holiday in a secluded island La Gomera will for sure not disappoint you. This La Gomera walking guide is aiming to help you get the best of your time in La Gomera island.

La Gomera highlights

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San Sebastian de La Gomera

San Sebastian de La Gomera is the capital of La Gomera island. It is where the main harbor is located and where the ferries from Tenerife arrive. Christopher Columbus stopped by the island on September 6^th 1942 and that is why La Gomera is also called “ The Colombian island”.

San Sebastian is a quiet coastal town with 7000 inhabitants and has a couple of nice beaches and several historical buildings.

Valle Gran Rey

Valle Gran Rey is the beach lovers village in La Gomera island and the most crowded area in high season.

It hosts five long beaches and the surrounding area is home to some of the best La Gomera walking trails.

Valle Gran Rey is also the best place to watch the sunset in La Gomera.

Vallehermoso

Vallerhermoso is located in the North West part of the island and it is home to the famous natural monument “Los Organos”. A deep ravine flows to the sea ending at “Vallehermoso Beach”. This is where the oldest rock formations on La Gomera island are located.

Agulo

Agulo is considered by many the most beautiful village in La Gomera and the most beautiful village in Spain.

The old centre historical buildings are the most interesting in La Gomera island and the views from “El Teide” on a clear day are truly spectacular.

Hermigua

This quaint and quiet village in “ La Gomera” island is home to the best climate in the world. The temperatures do not usually fall bellow 18 degrees or rise above 27 degrees. A group of German, Belgian and UK scientists and meteorologists acknowledged this fact at the beginning of the 20^th century.

🦋 I recommend this flower guided tour with butterfiles and bees in La Gomera

Alajero

Alajeró is located on the South part of “La Gomera” and it is home to the natural monument la Caldera, that is the best preserved volcanic cone in the island.

La Gomera is an inactive volcanic island. There has not been volcanic activity on the island for the last million years.

La Gomera beaches

The Canary islands are home to some of the best beaches in Spain. La Gomera, in particulat, boasts some very spectacular beaches, being the most popular and beautiful beach “Playa del Ingles” in Valle Gran Rey. “Playa de La Cueva” in San Sebastian is a great spot for snorkeling and presents stunning views of the “El Teide” in Tenerife.

“Playa de Santiago” is another very beautiful beach on the island and home to a rich selection of restaurants. Manta rays come often to the harbor.

If you are looking for a bit more of adventure, “Playa de Arguamul” is a great choice. You can hike down to the beach and have a view of the famous natural monument of “Los Organos”.

The harbor beach in Valle Gran Rey is home to squadrons on Manta rays and you can swim with them from beach.

There is an old fisherman that feeds the manta with fish everyday as a tradition. This practice is not done by touristic purposes but just as a tradition. The activity is not even promoted as a tourist activity in the island.

🐳 I recommend this La Gomera whale watching tour

Garajonay national Park

Garajonay national park is a millenary laurisilva forest in “La Gomera” that was declared world UNESCO heritage site in 1981.

Garajonay national park forests evoke mythological scenes and they are home to several ritual ancient monuments, where the ancient witches used to perform their magic.

🧙‍♀️ I recommend this La Gomera myths, legends and witches hike

Hiking in La Gomera best trails

As you drive through the roads of La Gomera, you will spot hiking trails signs all along the roads. There are so many hiking trails in the island that making a choice might seem difficult at first, mostly when your time in the island is limited.

My best advice is to pass by the “Centro de visitantes del parque nacional Garajonay”. It is completely free and you will get a nice list of the best hiking trails inside the national park and some personalized advice. Some of the hiking trails have stops with QR codes that you can scan with your phone to get some information about the trek. You can find La Gomera hiking guide you will get in the visitors center on this link.

Unfortunately there many other hiking places in La Gomera island and the visitors centre can only give you information about the main trails inside the park. I have put together here, in this walking guide, a list of the best hiking trails in “Garajonay national park” and some of the best hiking trails in La Gomera island, in my opinion. I have personally done all the hikes on this post.

If you would like to make some research you can find more trails in this hiking map of La Gomera island.

You also get in touch with one of the hiking companies in La Gomera island if you would like someone to guide you through this beautiful island.

The Fortress in Chipude

Distance: 2,3 km

Elevation: 155 m

Difficulty: Moderate

The Fortress is a mountain in La Gomera with a mesmerizing shape and flat surface at 1243 meters altitude. The Fortress is a natural monument with astonishing views of the surrounding areas. It also played a very important role in the ancient religion of the aboriginal people of the islands. It was a sacred mountain.

At the summit, there are remains of ritual altars made of stones and animal carcasses.

The hike starts in the village of Chipude and it goes through some green fields to a stone staircase to climb the mountain to the top.

👉 I recommend this hiking in La Gomera tour

The views of Chipude during the ascension are impressive and once you reach the top there is a passage through the rocks to reach the plateau. This part is the most challenging of the hike as there are not stairs or clear indication where to go. There are abysses on both sides but it is perfectly doable as long as there are not strong winds.

Arure Ravine waterfall

Distance: 1.6 km

Elevation: 139 m

Difficulty: Easy

This was one of my favourite hikes in La Gomera island. A bit adventurous and off the beaten path as not many people know about it. I know people who have lived their whole life in the island and do not even know this place exists.

The hike starts in “Casa de La Seda”, a small village near “Valle Gran Rey”. You can park your car here and walk to red sign painted on the rock that indicates the start of the hike.

The volcanic rocks and palm trees landscape flows into a forest of sugar cane plantations through which you hike towards the first tiny waterfalls.

Some places are a bit challenging and you need a rope to help you continue. There is a lot of mud so bring close shoes instead of hiking sandals.

The hike is not very well indicated but if you follow the water you will not get lost. There are three small waterfalls until you get to the end of the hike. A volcanic cave like formation and a 12 meters waterfall.

👉 I recommend this hamlets of the North hiking tour in La Gomera

Raso the la Bruma

Distance: 1,3 Km

Elevation: 67 m.

Difficulty: low

“This is the most beautiful hike in The Garajonay national park”, the guide at the visitors centre told me.

It is not a very difficult hike and it does not take very long time to complete. The trek goes through a magical looking laurisilva forest where the mist comes very often, making the place look like taken out of a mystery movie.

👉 I recommend this hiking La Gomera tour

Alto de Garajonay from Pajarito

Distance: 4,5 km

Elevation: 177 m.

Difficulty: Average

There are several hiking trails in the Garajonay national park to “El Alto de Garajonay”. “Alto de Garajonay” is not only the highest point in the island but it was also a place of worship for the aboriginal inhabitants of the canary islands.

There is a sacrificial altar replica at the summit (the original lies beneath) where the guanches used to perform animal sacrifices to their Gods.

There is a parking at “El Pajarito” and a bus stop. It is one of the few hiking trails in “The Garajonay national park” that you can reach by public transport.

You cannot get lost as there are lots of signs to the summit and some natural stairs. It is usually windy on the summit and if you are lucky to do the trek on a sunny day the views are stunning.

🧙 I recommend this legend, myths and witches hike tour in La Gomera

Agulo – El mirador de Abrante

Distance: 8,7 km

Elevation: 746 m

Difficulty: High

“El mirador de Abrante” is an iconic landmark in La Gomera island. This glass floored view point boasts breathtaking views of “Agulo”, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain and “El Teide”, the highest point in the island.

You can get to the “Abrante viewpoint” by car. Once you pass “Agulo”, driving to Vallehermoso, you take the road leading to the “Parque de Garajonay” visitors centre and the viewpoint is only 1,4 Km from there.

However the most adventurous and best way is hiking up the mountain from “Agulo”. It is a steep walk up the mountain that will take between 2 or 4 hours depending on your level of fitness.

The hike is really worth it. If you have time during your visit to La Gomera, I recommend you reach the viewpoint by walking the trail.

👉 I recommend this hiking in La Gomera tour

La Laguna grande I

Distance: 0.7 Km

Elevation: 32 m

Difficulty: Easy

La Laguna grande is a high-energy location in La Gomera island as it is said that ancient witches conducted traditional night rituals here.

Nowadays there is a kids playground and a nice restaurant that is usually very busy as touring buses visiting the national park stop there.

This trek is not physically demanding at all and it is very short. However the laurisilva forest is perhaps the most well preserved and most beautiful of the whole Gomera island.

👉 I recommend this Laurisilva of Garajonay national park tour

La Laguna Grande II

Distance: 4,2 Km

Elevation: 116

Difficulty: Moderate

This trek starting also in Laguna Grande is quite easy and I recommend combining it on the same day with the La Laguna Grande II trek.

The trek is around 4 km and can be easily done in one hour and a half.

👉 I recommend this hiking in La Gomera tour

Las Creces las Hayas

Distance: 4,5 Km

Elevation: 90 m

Difficulty: Easy

This circular easy trek with an incline of only approximately 150 meters and 7 km runs along a beautiful laurisilva path. There is a church at the end of the trek and a nice restaurant where you can enjoy a nice traditional Gomera lunch while enjoying a breathtaking landscape. Ideal to do on a lazy Sunday after the Saturday night fun as it does not demand a high level of fitness.

👉 I recommend this hiking in La Gomera tour

Hermigua- El Cedro

Distance: 7,2 Km

Elevation: 571 m

Difficulty: High

This hike from Hermigua to El Cedro has a incline of 1000 meters in approximately 7 km. The difficulty is moderate and the changing landscape makes it one of the best hiking trekking trails in La Gomera.

The landcape is very varied, from agricultural terraces dotted with palm trees and faya heath to laurisilva forests above 650 meters altitude.

You can see a very impressive view from Hermigua village from los Roques de San Pedro and the high waterfall “El Chorro” at el Cedro ravine.

👉 I recommend this hiking in La Gomera tour

La Gomera weather

The Canary islands have mild temperatures all year round and are known to have the best climate in the world. The weather is quite pleasant all year round. There is no rain in Summer and a moderate amount of rain in Winter.

Hermigua, a village in La Gomera was chosen by a group of scientists to be the place with the best climate in the world, a well deserved name. Hermigua has pleasant mild temperatures all year round and the climate is usually a bit milder when it gets extremely hot in the rest of the island.

If you are lucky to be there when it rains it is very likely you will see rainbows, as the local people confirmed you can see lots of rainbows during Winter and Fall in La Gomera. I was lucky to see a rainbow in September that lasted for more than 40 minutes. See photo below:

Where to stay in La Gomera

“Casas rurales” (countryside houses) are the most popular form of accommodation in rural areas in Spain. They are rustic self-catered homes or hotels located in quiet, scenic locations. Here are a few of the best casa rurales and hotels on La Gomera:

The “Histórica Casa de la Oje” in Agulo, the most beautiful village in Spain is close to the “Abrante viewpoint” and the “Garajonay national park.

“Finca Piñero” is located in Hermigua, the village with the best climate in the world and close to several very good quality restaurants that sometimes offer live music.

“El parador de la Gomera” in San Sebastian de la Gomera is situated overlooking the “Cueva beach” and features stunning views from El Teide.

“Apartamentos Laurisilva” in the heart of Valle Gran Rey are self catered apartments with a swimming pool, walking distance to some of the best beaches in La Gomera.

👉 I recommend this hiking in La Gomera tour

Where to eat in La Gomera

Walking in La Gomera is without a doubt a top experience that makes a visit to the island worth it. But the La Gomera island has many other things to offer, such as its excellent local dishes.

In Hermigua, Casa Telemaco, has some wonderful local food and a nice selection of wines. The meat menu is really delicious here. In Hermigua also Los Telares offers the typical “ Sopa de Berros” in its menu and have a live music program to accompany your dinner some days of the week.

“La Casa creativa” offers some tapas served on a beautiful terrace overlooking the mountains. There are some time live music bands playing on their terrace.

“La Tasca” in San Sebastian is the most popular restaurant among the local people in the island and has a fresh selection of the best dishes in the island.

“Bar camping restaurant La vista”, in El Cedro, has the best “ potaje de berros” in the island and eating here is a must do during your Hermigua, el Cedro hike.

🍷 I recommend this winery visit and tasting tour in La Gomera

A very nice option while you are visiting the region of Alajero is “El Meson de Clemente” with its nice wooden decoration and its terrace overlooking the sea.

Ferries from Tenerife to La Gomera

Traveling from Tenerife to La Gomera takes one hour and there are two companies operating the ferries between Tenerife and La Gomera.

Fred Olsen ferries run several times per day, depending on the season, between Los Cristianos in Tenerife and San Sebastian de la Gomera (€43/person + €20/car).

Naviera Armas also makes the same trip on a slightly different schedule and for about €1 less.

Get your La Gomera internal return ticket here

Flights to La Gomera

The international La Gomera Airport (GMZ) is located close to Playa de Santiago on the south side of the island. Many different airlines fly to Tenerife, where you will change to Binter Canarias airline for the short flight to La Gomera.

Getting around in La Gomera

The best way to move around La Gomera is by car. In order to get to the starting point of most the La Gomera hiking trails you need a car and there is not other way to do it. I did my car reservation walking around the many offices in the harbor and I found the cheapest option was PlusCar. The people working at PlusCar are super nice and very helpful. You can also do your reservation in advance with them, before getting to the island, making sure you will book your spot. Please take into account that car rentals are more expensive during the Summer months.

If you are traveling on a very strict budget and you can only afford public transport, you can use, the “guagua” (that is how the local people call buses on the Canary islands). In this case the best is to base yourself and stay at San Sebastian de La Gomera, as it is the best connected place of the island.

Residents of the Canary islands get very cheap price for transport but the good news is tourists get also a discount of 50 % if they pass by the bus office in the main bus station of San Sebastian. You need to buy a card that will costs you 3 euros and the you can charge with money and you will pay 50% for all your trips around there island. There are not many guaguas running per day but if you organize with care where you go you can still see a few places of the island using this method of transport. You can check the schedule here.