Trip code: W07TI 5 (1 reviews)
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 2
Moderate
Flights
available
23.0Kg CO2e
Printed route
directions
La Gomera is one of the lesser known Canary Island and yet is only 35 minutes by fast ferry from Tenerife. As such it remains beautifully unspoilt and is therefore a walker's delight. Measuring the equivalent of just 20 miles by 20 miles yet packed with a variety of walks it is a tiny, friendly island with charming, rural villages and a handful of small coastal towns with the sparse population still predominately engaged in agriculture. The sun drenched south is arid in appearance but explore further and you will soon find hidden valleys with deep green forests, delightful palm groves and isolated beaches. The more rugged north is typified by narrow ravines with green hillsides patched in scrub and capped with woodland. Garajonay, the highest peak, stands in an extensive Natural Park famed scientifically for its amazing cloud forest housing flora and fauna unique to the area.
La Gomera is blessed with good walking weather all year round temperatures averaging 20°C at lower altitude. The island's sub tropical climate is also influenced by the trade winds which particularly in winter may bring cloud and rain to the north and much higher temperatures to the south.
Most of the walks we feature are around the centre of the island. The many and varied natural features found in close proximity on this small island make it an attractive destination for all walkers with opportunities to explore the deep ravines where palm trees intertwine with terraced gardens; to follow mountain ridge paths; to visit remote waterfalls; to follow the winding course of a barranco in the shadow of a volcanic dome; to traverse cliff faces with fine views to the horizon; to experience the special world of the lush forests of the Natural Park. We offer a varied selection of easy, moderate and challenging walks.
The choice of accommodation in the walking areas is somewhat limited so we have carefully selected two options for you, the Hotel Gran Rey on the West coast, and the Parador in San Sebastian on the East coast. For both we include a hire car (as buses are not feasible for most of the walks).
Walks on this holiday are on village streets, country lanes, farm tracks and rural paths. Walking boots are essential. Walking poles are recommended. As the walks do not start directly from the hotels, a hire car is required.
Upon arriving at Tenerife, we will transfer you from the airport to Los Cristianos ferry port, for the fast ferry to San Sebastian, La Gomera. Pick your car hire up at the port and drive onto your hotel for your 7 nights holiday.
You stay at Hotel Gran Rey.
Mastercard
Visa
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe
This lovely hotel has a fabulous position right on the edge of the sea and with its two restaurants, two swimming pools, tennis, sunbathing terrace and TV lounge, we are sure you will be reluctant to leave. There are three floors and 99 rooms in total, all with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a private balcony. Each room also has a safe, minibar and private bathroom with complimentary toiletries and hairdryer. The hotel has a buffet restaurant and an à la carte restaurant, offering Canary and international food. There is also a poolside bar where you can enjoy a drink in the sun.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
This is a walk with variety, embracing small villages, well cultivated fields, and the famous laurisilva of the higher altitudes of the Canaries. Although not a particularly short walk, most of the going is fairly easy. If you get an early start, you could end your day with a relaxed lunch.
You stay at Parador de La Gomera.
Mastercard
AmExPoolHairdryerWiFiTVMinibarAirconSafe
The Parador de la Gomera enjoys a stunning position perched on a cliff known as the Lomo de la Horca (Gallows Ridge) above the port of San Sebastian. The hotel is set in subtropical gardens from where you enjoy spectacular views across to Mount Teide on Tenerife looming up out of the sea.
Each of the twin rooms is furnished with 16th century style furniture, with wooden floors, en-suite marble bathrooms, mini-bar, telephones, satellite television and hairdryers. All our rooms overlook either the well-tended patio gardens, or have a balcony overlooking an internal courtyard garden.
Please note this is the upgrade option and therefore is subject to a surcharge.
This is not the shortest approach to the highest summit of the island, but it has the merit of a fairly gentle ascent and descent, and you avoid gambling on parking space somewhere along the main Carretera Dorsal. If conditions permit, you will not have to wait until the summit for good views, as the islands of El Hierro and La Palma appear early in the day. The walk is fairly open in its early and latter stages, so you will need protection from the sun, but there are opportunities for shade as you enter the higher altitudes. If you circumnavigate the summit, as suggested, you obtain a variety of views before you eventually achieve the full panorama from the summit. You will find the attractive descent as gentle in its gradients as the ascent.
La Gomera is not hugely commercial, but there is still plenty to do if you want a day off from walking. You could try a boat trip to see the impressive cliffs 'Los Organos'a declared Natural Monument. There are also dolphin and whale watching tours from Valle Gran Rey, or you could take the ferry from Valle Gran Rey to San Sebastian or vice versa to explore the other side of the island. Or if you didn't pack your sea legs, spend a day relaxing at the pool, or perhaps try a guided excursion.
This route should please everyone looking for a moderate walk of 6 hours. There is a lot of walking along the barrancos just below the ridge with fine views down to the stream beds. There is a 30 minute extension which can lengthen the walk if required; along the Barranco de Argaga to the Ermita de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe church which affords spectacular views down the Barranco de Argaga. This walk allows you to trace the course of a water canal and see the green and lush side of the island where palm trees appear around every corner.
Some magnificent views down to the coast start on you on the way on this predominantly downhill trip to the coast. You pass ruined farmhouses and terraces as you gradually make your way to sea level
This route can only be tackled uphill from Lomo Del Balo due to the initial steep climb at 454m up to 1034m. which would be considered dangerous in reverse. However, it's a marvellous challenging climb and once you reach the top of the barranco the onward trail to Las Hayas is very pleasant affording great views. By contrast, the descent is gentle on good well marked paths. You drop down into the valley at Vizcaina and wander around the side of the hill before starting the final descent back to Valle Gran Rey.
After breakfast, return your hire car to San Sebastian ferry port before your ferry journey back to to Los Cristianos, Tenerife. We will then transfer you to Tenerife South airport for your onward journey home.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 01606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment.
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 2
Moderate
Flights
available
23.0Kg CO2e
Printed route
directions
