Exploring La Gomera - 11 Days

Arrive by ferry at the port of San Sebastian from Los Cristianos, Tenerife (roundtrip included). Your hotel is located approx 15 minutes by foot or a short taxi journey (± €10). Accommodation: Hotel Torre del Conde is our 3* hotel and is situated in the centre of San Sebastian on a bed & breakfast basis. Dinner can be taken in one of the many restaurants in town. There are two beaches within easy reach on foot. Or upgrade and stay in the Parador hotel.

Today you experience a first glimpse of the National Park. You will be collected at 9.00 - 9.30 am and taken to the start point of today’s walk. This is an exceptionally beautiful but strenuous walk through lush sub-tropical vegetation with spectacular views over the Hermigua valley. On the way up the ascents are steep in places but the path is well defined but the beauty of the area rewards the hard work. In roughly 3 hours you reach El Cedro (1000m) and the Bar La Vista for a well-deserved break. In unsettled weather we do not recommend the return route, as there is a very steep and slippery downhill stretch. Instead either return by the route you came up or spend some time exploring the forest and order a taxi from Bar La Vista to take you down to Hermigua. Ascent 755m / Descent 928m. Accommodation: Your accommodation tonight is one of 2 guesthouses in this small village. Hotel Ibo Al Faro or Hotel Villa Hermigua.

After breakfast you will be picked up and transferred to the exquisitely situated village of Agulo (250m), which looks out to sea cut off from the rest of the island by the shear basalt cliffs rising behind. The walk begins with a steep ascent to bring you after 2 hours to the Visitor’s Centre of Garajonay National Park, (800m) where you can learn about the park and the island in general. Then down to the lunchtime stop at Bar Amalahuigue in Las Rosas or at Roque Blanco. You then continue on to Vallehermoso, for the last two hours downhill with expansive and stunning views over the north west of the island. Ascent 580m / Descent 819m. Accommodation: Vallehermoso - Hotel Rural Triana is an old restored Canarian Villa and is surrounded by tradition and nature.

Panoramic views of the north coast and the cruel sea. A 4.5 hour strenuous circular walk, with a fairly steep, gravelly descent for which you need to be surefooted and have a head for heights. The alternative is to turn round at roughly the half-way point at the Ermita de Santa Clara viewpoint and retrace your steps back. This is one of the wildest parts of La Gomera where the sea is usually quite rough and there are some dramatic views of waves, rocks and windblown terrain as well as picturesque villages nestled in sheltered valleys below. A different and interesting corner of La Gomera. Ascent /Descent 958m.

Into the cloud forest. With plenty of water to drink and in winter long trousers and waterproof jackets, you head south from Vallehermoso (300m) up hill towards the centre of the island through lush, terraced farming country, past reservoirs, ever upwards until you enter the forest and the National Park. After lunch, an easy walk with occasional glimpses down to the magnificent Valle Gran Rey. From here you can take the path to El Cercado, home to Gomera’s tiny potteries and onto Chipude and Hotel Sonia at 1100m. Ascent: 796m / Descent 281m. Accommodation: You will be staying two nights at family run Bar/Pension Sonia.

Relax on the west coast. Optional walk via the small town of Gerian with some steep downhill parts to see the biggest and often considered the most beautiful valley in Gomera, Valle Gran Rey, for swimming and sunbathing on its black-sand beaches. Try lunch in a fish restaurant at the port of Vueltas. Bus or taxi back to Chipude. The super energetic can of course walk back! Ascent 111m / Descent 1175m

To the summit and down to the warm south. The steepish uphill walk to the summit of the island, El Alto de Garajonay (1486 m) is completed in 2 hours. Beautiful views on a clear day down into the cloud forest and across to see the islands of Tenerife, E1 Hierro and La Palma and occasionally Gran Canaria; then steeply down into the hidden valley of Imada (800m.) where there is a shop/bar normally open. It is then down into a garden of Eden of palms and canes until you reach Playa de Santiago and the south coast (3 hours from Imada). Ascent 680m / Descent 1733m Accommodation: You will be staying three nights in Apartamentos Bellavista situated on a pedestrian lane in Laguna de Santiago. It is a short walk to the beach, restaurants and shops in the main part of the village. Here you will have your own apartment equipped with food and drink essentials to greet you on arrival. Breakfast is taken in your apartment, ingredients supplied. Choose one of the many local fish restaurants at the beach for dinner in the evening. Don't forget to check out the Restaurante La Cuevita towards the harbour. It is built into a cave. We have chosen to have three nights here as it is the sunniest, warmest part of the island.

Lounge around Santiago and the beach or explore the hidden beaches to the east of the village. For the restless, take the bus past Alajero and walk to the only dragon tree on the island, El Drago. Then back down to Santiago via the villages of Alajero and Targa. There is plenty to do and see and our local representatives are on hand with suggestions to suit if you wish so.

After breakfast at your apartment, you will be taken to the start of this final days walk at Pastrana. Another wonderful day with a gentle start but becoming steep uphill until you reach the amazing Roque de Agando (1250m) - Gomera’s biggest basalt volcanic chimney. You arrive at the main road with wonderful panoramic views. Crossing over the road, the walk descends through pinewoods to La Laja and then on asphalt for the transfer to San Sebastian where you return for your last nights accommodation. Ascent 927mm / Descent 996m

Trip concludes after breakfast. Make your own way to the ferry port for Los Cristianos, Tenerife (included) and your onward journey.