Hiking in La Gomera

One of the greatest pleasures of traveling is discovering the different landscapes of the planet. Countless travelers head for La Gomera attracted, among other things, by its incredible biodiversity and the beauty of its almost untouched, wild and authentic nature.

Many choose to go hiking to get to know it, as it allows them to explore the island step by step, to be surprised by its rich landscape and to enjoy the pure air of La Gomera. There is an extensive network of trails of different lengths and levels of difficulty so that all hikers, from beginners to the most experienced, can enjoy the island. What do you need to know to go hiking in La Gomera?

When to go hiking in La Gomera?

All year round is good for hiking in La Gomera. The average temperature on the island is 22ºC all year round with a mild and pleasant tropical climate with few oscillations, so any time of the year is good to go on vacation there.

Do you know the microclimates of La Gomera?

Something that will surprise you when hiking in La Gomera is that the landscapes and the temperature of the island vary a lot depending on where you are.

This is because there are several microclimates that produce many natural contrasts in its geography: from black sand beaches and cliffs, to forests, jungle-covered valleys and palm groves.

Knowing what microclimates exist on the island and the weather in La Gomera will help you not only to pack your suitcase but also to plan the routes and activities you will do during your stay in La Gomera. We can summarize the microclimates according to the division of the territory:

Is there a lot of tourism for hiking in La Gomera?

Hiking is a very popular activity in La Gomera and many travelers have the island in their sights to enjoy a few days of rest. The highest levels of tourism to the Canary Islands occur in summer and winter, coinciding with the arrival of domestic and foreign tourists, respectively.

However, unlike other corners of Spain, La Gomera is an island that stays away from mass tourism, so you won't feel the crowds here for hiking. It's really a place to relax and connect with yourself and nature.

What is the experience of hiking in La Gomera like?

The island has more than 600 kilometers of trails of all types (circular, linear, bicycle...) and for all levels, which are very well preserved and generally well marked.

In the tourist offices of La Gomera you can get the map of trails of the island or get it on the Internet. Take it with you on your cell phone, although I also recommend you to take it on paper in case your battery runs out.

Along with whale watching, visiting its charming villages and beautiful beaches, hiking is one of the best things to do in La Gomera. In fact, it is the main reason why tourists travel here attracted by its beautiful landscapes.

Being a low difficulty trail, it is ideal for beginner hikers or families with children.

Route number 12 of the Garajonay National Park starts at the Raso de la Bruma parking lot. During the hike you will see laurel forests and mossy soils shrouded in mist, which gives the landscape a magical aspect, as if it were an enchanted place!

Then the trail goes to Risquillos de Corgo, where you will find a viewpoint with spectacular panoramic views of the Vallehermoso Basin. You will be able to take beautiful pictures of the sea, the valley and the town of Vallehermoso.

Route 18 of the Garajonay National Park, known as Gran Circular, is one of the longest and most famous routes in La Gomera.

Given its high difficulty, it is not recommended for families with children or beginner hikers as it can be a bit heavy but if you are an expert hiker, do not hesitate! To complete it takes the whole day, about 9 hours and 10 minutes, but as it is a path without large slopes and easy to follow, many hikers do it quietly in about 7 hours.

In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful routes for its variety of landscapes where you can see forests of Fayal Brezal, Laurisilva de Ladera, Monteverde and Cumbres heaths. On this route you can also contemplate the ravines of Benchijigua and Guarimiar, which fall into the Atlantic. You will be amazed with the views!

Another of the easiest routes that you can enjoy in La Gomera for hiking is the route 10 Cañada de Jorge, a circular route with a duration of 1 hour and 20 minutes that will allow you to know the particularities of the southern area of the Garajonay Park. It is perfect if you do not have much time to go hiking but do not want to miss the opportunity to do so.

Most of the trail runs through a forest of fayal - heather, a type of vegetation related to the laurel forest but less humid. However, in the ravines, near the dorsal road and the summit, the flora is more developed (up to 20 meters high) and you can see species that require more moisture. It is a very relaxing walk.

During the route through the Cañada de Jorge, pay attention because in the depth of the ravine it is possible to observe an old water channel.

If you want to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of La Gomera, you have to do the route 7 that leads to the Alto de Garajonay, the highest point of the island. It will only take you about 1 hour to complete the route and the difficulty of it is medium, so it is suitable for most hikers of all ages. The climb is worth it!

Along route 7 you will be able to see the beautiful views of the landscapes of the peaks of La Gomera and the surrounding islands (El Hierro, La Palma and Tenerife) until you reach the highest point of the Garajonay Park.

From here you will not only enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the park and the island, but you can also visit several archaeological sites related to ancient ceremonial centers of the Gomeran population that inhabited the island centuries ago.

As in any excursion you do in nature it is important to be well equipped for what could happen during the tour. For hiking in La Gomera my advice is to take the following things:

Absolutely! Hiking in La Gomera is a fantastic plan to do with children, especially if they like to go hiking. It will be a very special experience for them because they will see unique landscapes, they will be able to play outdoors and have a great time with the family.

When choosing where to go hiking on the island with the family, it is best that parents opt for a simple route that can be done in half a day so that they do not get tired and thus devote the rest of the day to other activities that they also like.

If they are not used to going on nature excursions, I advise you to take them to the Garajonay National Park in La Gomera, a place with a magical and fairytale atmosphere, shrouded in fog and with huge trees.

Another option for hiking in La Gomera with children is the path that connects Las Hayas with El Cercado, in Valle Gran Rey, which lasts about half an hour and will allow them to learn about the flora of the environment.

After the excursion you will need to recharge your batteries, how about trying the typical gastronomy in one of the restaurants of La Gomera?

In summary, La Gomera has hundreds of kilometers of trails scattered around the island that are in a good state of preservation so that people of different levels can practice hiking and enjoy its beautiful landscapes.

Although some travelers choose to hike La Gomera on their own, if it is the first time you visit the island and do not know where to start my advice is to join an organized tour that combines the adventure of hiking (allowing you to explore different trails, viewpoints and ravines of this Biosphere Reserve that is the island of La Gomera) with a naturalist visit where you can learn about the different species that live here and that make the island a unique and special place in the world.

If you still prefer to go on your own, there are many routes in La Gomera. For example, within the low difficulty trails, routes 10 and 12 (Cañada de Jorge and Raso de la Bruma - Risquillos de Corgo - Raso de la Bruma) will delight you.

For a little more action I recommend route 7 (Contadero - Alto de Garajonay - Contadero) since the difficulty is medium and if what you want is a strong route because you are an experienced hiker, there is no doubt that route 18 (Garajonay National Park: Pajaritos - El Cedro - Tajaqué) you will get a lot out of it.

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