8-day La Gomera Walking Holiday

Make your way to the Canary Islands and get a ferry from the island of Tenerife to La Gomera. As you sail into another world, keep an eye out for dolphins surfing in the boat’s wake.

Challenge: Travel to Canary Islands

Get into green as you hike from the terraced fields of Hermigua Valley up toward Garajonay National Park, the wooded heart of La Gomera. Stepping lightly, you enter a silent rain-forest-like atmosphere dense with laurel trees, the same species which covers most of the island’s northern sector. Press onward up steep slopes lined with twisted trunks clothed in liquens and moss. Once at the top, take time to catch your breath then have it immediately taken away by the all-encompassing views. A perspective revealing the entire island and far beyond… to La Palma, El Hierro and the stunning Pico El Teide on Tenerife. Recoup on a short descent down to the village of Chipude.

Challenge: 5.5 - 6 hrs, 12.2 km / 7.5 mi, 750 m ascent, 760 m descent

Today you traverse two deep gorges, or 'barrancos', passing the pottery-making village of El Cercado to reach the prettiest valley on the island, Valle Gran Rey with its stepped farming terraces and exotic palm groves. Plan to stop along the way for lunch in Las Hayas where a traditional restaurant serves tasty regional specialities. With replenished energy, tackle the descent among palms, junipers, heather and laurel trees, hiking down into the Valley of Los Loros to your hotel.

Challenge: 5 - 6 hrs, 14.5 km / 9 mi, 240 m ascent, 1100 m descent

This walk explores a surprising, somewhat drier landscape. Embark on a long gradual ascent up to Santa Clara Chapel, perched high on a ridge. Pause for pictures and try to take in the sweeping views, which plummet 700m straight down and out over mountaintops to the vast ocean beyond. Picking up a well-maintained -though very steep- path, you make your way downhill to a tiny cove. Stop to rest here on the coast and circle back to Vallehermoso at the end of the route.

Challenge: 5 - 6 hrs, 14.5 km / 9 mi, 735 m ascent, 735 m descent

Trekking up and out of the valley, your route leads via Las Rosas to the Garajonay National Park visitors' centre at Juego de Bolas. Later, a descent into the deep gorge of Barranco de Argoto gives way to another uphill section as you slowly ascend to ‘El Mirador del Chorillo’, an impressive vista point with 800-metre drops overlooking the valley. Continuing on high terrain you’re entertained by ocean views before making one last steep descent down into the friendly village of Hermigua once home to the Guanche people, aboriginal inhabitants of the Canary Islands.

Challenge: 6 - 7 hrs, 17.5 km / 11 mi, 935 m ascent, 1140 m descent

Start off in ascent once again but this time it’s short and steep. Venturing into fruit-farming territory, you wander among tropical banana groves, then suddenly the landscapes change … and quite drastically. A wide path traverses stark surroundings with sparse vegetation and the occasional barranco, making its way toward the deep blue Atlantic. Succulents and cacti carpet the ground, while just ahead you a glimpse of one of this week’s highlights: fabulous views of El Teide Peak on the distant island of Tenerife.

Challenge: 5.5 - 6 hrs, 12.5 km / 7.8 mi, 735 m ascent, 735 m descent

Begin with a short transfer to start your choice of walks. The shorter option takes off in ascent from Las Casetas, then goes downhill on steep coastal terrain with fab views El Teide's volcanic silhouette. The longer route leads to splendid vistas at Degollada de Peraza then moves toward the island's stunning southeast coast. Some sections traverse high terrain with spell-binding views, but paths are reassuringly way-marked and well-maintained. Back down at sea level, pause for a paddle at the beach, an ideal way to end an ideal week on La Gomera.

Challenge:

SHORT OPTION: 10 km / 6 mi, 125 m ascent, 1025 m descenso, 4.5 h

LONG OPTION: 16 km / 10 mi, 350 m ascent, 1300 m descent, 7 h

Your self-guided walking trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Ferry back to Tenerife and flight home.

Challenge: Departure from Canary Islands