Trekking in La Gomera

Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Wikimedia Commons

3.5 hours – 6 hours

Why go

Garajonay's laurisilva is a living fossil — the forest that covered the Mediterranean before the Ice Age — and it caps an island of deep, walkable barrancos dropping to palm-filled coasts.

When

In season: Oct–May · Peak: Nov–Mar

Who it’s for

Skill

Beginner–Intermediate

Effort

Moderate

Suitable from

8+ · Kid+

Crowds

Quiet

Cost

$$$

Trekking specifics

Distance: 14 km
Total ascent: 800 m
Max altitude: 1487 m
Accommodation: Rural houses and small hotels
Technical: Well-graded paths; steep terraced descents

What to expect

Damp, mossy, atmospheric forest up top; dry, shadeless terraces on the southern side. Short days but steep barranco walls, with the ferry from Tenerife the usual way in.

Routes

What the difficulty bands mean

easy: Accessible with basic fitness; no technical skills or exposure.
moderate: Sustained effort or some exposure; comfort on the terrain expected.

Barranco de las Lajas circuit
easy
Mossy tunnel of laurels, the shadiest walk on the island
8 km400 m ascent3.5 hours
Garajonay summit through the laurel forest
moderate
Prehistoric cloud forest to the island's high point
14 km800 m ascent6 hours
Valle Gran Rey to Chipude
moderate
Up the terraced barranco from the coast to the plateau
13 km1,100 m ascent6 hours
Playa de Santiago to Benchijigua
moderate
Dry southern side, palm terraces and almost no shade
12 km700 m ascent5 hours

How to start

Ferry from Los Cristianos to San Sebastián, then base in Hermigua or Valle Gran Rey. Buses and taxis reach the Garajonay trailheads at the top of the island.