Winter sunshine, fabulous hiking in remote hills and valleys, amazing variety of landscapes from rocky cliffs and barren barrancos to lush laurisilva forest and terraced vineyards and farmsteads. All wrapped up with great cafes and restaurants at the end of the day. What more could you want?
The island is often compared to a lemon squeezer – with steep narrow valleys radiating out from the higher ground in the centre and immense cliffs plunging down into the sea. From the summit of Garajonay – the highest point on the island at 1487m – you’ll be rewarded with views of Tenerife and Gran Canaria to the east, El Hierro to the south and La Palma out west.
La Gomera has 2 long-distance trails: GR131 across the central high ground and GR132 which circumnavigates the island, although not always near the coast. Signposting is excellent, but make sure your map is up to date as they have changed the route of GR132 in the last few years. The island offers a superb network of local paths too, which will take you on improbable paths to stunning locations – you can pick up a free leaflet from the Tourist Information Office in San Sebastian.
Some favourite day walks include:
Agulo to Mirador de Abrante – a constructed path zigzags up the cliff behind Agulo to reach the glass-bottomed “Skywalk” at Mirador de Abrante high above, descending back to the village via a gentler mule track.
Benchijigua and Guarimiar Gorge – starting from the village of Pastrana, north of Playa de Santiago, walk up the barranco to the tiny hamlet of Bechijigua, then follow a steep zigzag path towards Imada, before the stunning descent down the gorge.
Roque Sombrero – a stunning ridge from the deserted village of Magro, surrounded by ancient terraces, to the sea at El Cabrito. The path follows narrow ledges as it winds through old volcanic plugs, before descending steeply into the barranco to join the GR132.
Most accommodation is in the coastal towns, but some of the high villages have great little b&bs and they are constantly evolving as more hikers come to the island.
Getting there
There are lots of cheap flights to Tenerife Sur. It’s just 20 minutes from the airport to the harbour at Los Cristianos where there are up to 6 ferries a day to San Sebastian, the capital of La Gomera.
Getting around
All roads go up to the central area of the island before radiating out to all corners of the island. There are cheap reliable service buses serving all towns and villages on the island. However, they are focused on getting the locals into San Sebastian in the morning, and the first buses back out from the capital are at 10.30am, all at the same time. There is also a local ferry which connects the capital to Playa Santiago and Valle Gran Rey on the south of the island.
Random fact
There are lizards and skinks on La Gomera, but no snakes.
