Hiking la Gomera

The capital, San Sebastian is the home of Christopher Columbus. La Gomera is crisscrossed with Barancos (valleys). It is mountainous and the summit of Alto de Garajonay reaches a height of 1480 m. The National Park of Garajonay, with the largest laurel forest of the Canary Islands, has been elevated to the status of a World Heritage site.
Places of interest: The island capital of San Sebastian de la Gomera, Valle Gran Rey, Playa de Santiago, Valle Hermoso, Hermigua and Agulo, the rock formation Roque de Agando; the emblem of Gomera. El Cedro National Park. Park Museum Juego de Bolas. The ancient tradition of communicating by whistling over long distances: "El Silbo" and the rod jump: "El salto del pastor" have been preserved until today in the population. The pottery from El Cercado typically Canarian.
Specialties: Palm honey; "Miel de Palma" ', goat cheese, honey-rum or "Ron Miel ". Conejo en salmorejo or pickled rabbit.
Hiking on La Gomera is divided into hikes in Laurisilva = laurel forests, where there is a plenty of nice shade, and in rocky canyons with hiking trails. Again, as on all the Canary islands, the north and south differs widely in both climate and vegetation.

OUR HIKINGWEEK - PROGRAMM:
1. Day: Arrival by ferryboat or airplane from Tenerife to La Gomera
2. Day: Valle Gran Rey - El Cercado:We walk from the Church of Los Reyes (60) as far as La Matanza (900m) and on to El Cercado where we can taste the wonderful wine bar Mary, goat cheese and other delicacies. Then we go to Las Haya, where we stay overnight in a small pension to 1022 meters. (medium: 5 hours, 800 m +)
3. Day: Free day for beach and dolfinwatching (facultativ)
4. Day: Valle Hermosa – Las Hayas: From the romantic reservoir Encantadora (186 m) we walk through rural countryside making our way to Los Loros Duch where the bush rises higher and higher around us. Finally we reach the laurel forest and the mountain road. In the beautiful national parks of laurel forests, we finally arrive to Las Hayas 1043 m, where we enjoy ourselves in Amparo. (moderate, 4-5 hours)
5. Day: El Cercado – Alto de Garajonay 1460 m: Our trek passes through the famous laurel forest (National Park Garajonay) and ends on the highest point of the island: de Garajonay Alto. (moderate, 3-4 hours )
6. Day: Hermigua – Las Vistas in Garajonay - forest: We start at the Gofio mill in Hermigua and climb up a steep valley. Passing many terraces and places of cultural interest, we reach a lake with a high waterfall. After an exhausting climb, we arrive at the camp restaurant and Las Vistas (850m). Here we enjoy the traditional cuisine of Las Vistas which is also famous outside of La Gomera. (medium, 3 hours)
7. Day: Agulo (200m)– Tres Bolas – Agulo: The picturesque town of Agulo on the north coast is our starting point and the goal of our trek. We climb a narrow path carved into the rock up the rock wall. The view is breathtaking! After some effort we reach the lake and then the high plains of La Palmita. After another half hour we are in the park-museum at Juego de Bolas to 750m. After visiting the small botanical gardens and museum, we walk downhill to Agulo (medium, 4-5 hours, 450).
8. Day: Departure after breakfast we go to San Sebastian harbour and by ferryboat to Los Cristianos. Then we say good bye to this beautiful Islands!