Hiking on La Gomera
The island of La Gomera, with its narrow and deep ravines, steep and rugged mountains, is traversed by a network of trails. These paths are also known as royal trails or "Caminos Reales" , which were used by the island's inhabitants until the middle of the last century.
Because La Gomera is very difficult area in terms of transport, these paths were used for all transportation. Especially horses and donkeys were used to transport all goods from one place to another.
Today, these trails are a godsend for any hiker who likes a bit of adventure.
That is why La Gomera today has a special attraction of visitors who love peace and nature. La Gomera offers the hiker a variety of landscapes and views unknown to its neighbour.
Despite its small size, the most rugged island of the Canary archipelago makes you wonder and amaze every time.
Discovering nature in La Gomera
Hiking can be one of the best ways to enjoy nature and La Gomera's hiking trails are one of the best ways to enjoy a landscape full of contrasts: shady forests, stunning coastal paths, sharp rock faces, barrancos or spots of jungle character.
Routes that lead the hiker through a unique environment whose landscape changes radically in a few kilometres and certainly with plenty of elevation changes, as plains are found almost nowhere in La Gomera. Hiking in La Gomera is an experience that leads both physically and mentally very, very far. Moreover, the majority of trails offer the guarantee and peace of mind of knowing that they were designed by professionals.
Getting around in La Gomera
La Gomera is in no way comparable to other Canary Islands such as Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
You won't find shopping centres, overcrowded beaches and nightclubs. La Gomera is to enjoy and unwind and, in the evening, dine at one of the typical restaurants in one of the few touristy places like Valle Gran Rey.
If you opt for beach holidays and crowds, you are better off on one of the other islands. La Gomera is for those seeking peace and nature, where you can really enjoy the silence. There is also noticeably less traffic than e.g. Tenerife.
Hiking opportunities
A car is really necessary here if you want to explore a bit of the island and get from A to B in a smooth way. Fortunately, a rental car here is quite affordable.
Despite the small size of the island, you'll still easily spend an hour on the road because, despite the good condition of the roads, there is practically no straight road anywhere and all roads are with many ups and downs.
Tenerife Trails presents to you a number of GPS walks that we ourselves took over the past years.
The choice of walks on La Gomera is vast, but it is a good and varied mix of treks that will show you all the nooks and crannies of this wonderful island.
Tips to stay and visit
You can opt for a pleasant stay in several ways on La Gomera. Don't expect large-scale hotels on La Gomera. Most tourists stay in small-scale hotels and guesthouses, bungalows or flats.
A good tip for staying is Valle Gran Rey on the south-west side of the island. (Valley of the Great King) From San Sebastian, it is an hour's drive to Valle Gran Rey. Valle Gran Rey's elongated valley is surrounded by almost perpendicular cliffs. The town is proudly described by locals as the most beautiful part of the island.
Along the coast are some beautiful beaches. Playa del Inglès is located below an impressive cliff. Valle Gran Rey has become one of La Gomera's most popular destinations in recent years.
How to get there...?
Flying to La Gomera is not really a option, due to the small airport and limited flights.
Better is to take the ferry in Los Christianos. It's just under an hour's ferry with Fred Olsen or Armas.
If we may give you a good tip: Rent a car in Tenerife at the airport and hire it from Cicar. It is the only rental company that allows you to take your car on the ferry as it is a Canary company. Moreover, they have very friendly rates.
For a crossing, count on around €50pp each way. You take the car for €20 extra which is a bargain. The car rental offer on La Gomera is much smaller and if you already rent in Tenerife you can put your suitcases straight into your rental car as on the ferry they have to go into a separate cargo van.
Tenerife Trails is a non-profit initiative of www.tenerifetevoet.be and tenerife-wandelen.be with the aim of promoting the beautiful island of Tenerife as a hiking destination