3
moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in hotels and guesthouses
Meals
  • 1 Dinner
  • 1 Lunch
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1050GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: JGS

La Gomera Walking Trip highlights

  • Follow hiking paths along La Gomera’s spectacular coast
  • The perfect year-round walking destination: spectacular landscapes & mild days
  • Lush plantations, whitewashed villages, a unique cloud forest & black-sand beaches
  • Free days for whale watching, snorkelling, kayaking, more walking or relaxing on the beach
  • Search for La Gomera’s oldest Drago tree, hidden away in a rocky valley
  • ‘Whistle’ for your supper
  • Stay in hand-picked, traditional properties full of character
  • Easy to get to by ferry from the nearby Canary Island of Tenerife (included)

Despite its size – it is one of the smallest and least populous islands of the Canary Islands – La Gomera has a staggering diversity of landscapes, from quiet, black pebble beaches and beautiful mountain hamlets to an impressive cloud forest, as well as La Gomera’s very own ‘mini Matterhorn’, the Roque Agando.

This La Gomera walking holiday includes an ascend through laurel forest to the summit of Garajonay (1487m) with potentially great views of Tenerife’s Mt Teide. On another day, start in the village of El Guro and follow the rough watercourse up to the Arure Waterfall and then descend down to Valle Gran Rey, which is great for swimming.

Focusing on the south side of the island, this trip has shorter walking days and mostly follows La Gomera’s spectacular the coast. There will be opportunities to enjoy activities such as relaxing by the sea, snorkelling, kayaking or even whale watching. These can be easily arranged when you are staying at Santiago, reached on foot via the beautiful hamlet of Benchijigua.

Alternatively, you can use this extra time to practise ‘Silbo Gomero’, La Gomera’s whistling language: protected by UNESCO and taught at schools across the island, it was developed by the extinct indigenous Guanches people as a way to communicate from hilltop to hilltop!

La Gomera has a good infrastructure of roads, amenities and services and we’ll gratefully make use of these throughout the trip.

Countries:

Spain

Starting Point:

Los Cristianos

Finishing Point:

San Sebastian

Itinerary

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Arrive by ferry at the port of San Sebastian from Los Cristianos, Tenerife (roundtrip included). Your hotel is located approx 15 minutes by foot or a short taxi journey (± €10). Accommodation: Hotel Torre del Conde is our 3* hotel and is situated in the centre of San Sebastian on a bed & breakfast basis. Dinner can be taken in one of the many restaurants in town. There are two beaches within easy reach on foot. Or upgrade and stay in the Parador hotel.

Meals:  Nil

This is a straightforward walk climbing along the coastal cliffs above San Sebastian, before undulating along high above the seaside to drop down to the quiet bay at Playa de la Guanches. There may not be anyone here so you may have the place all to yourselves, there is a real sense of remoteness. There is a tiny cottage on the beach with a little walkway heading to the beach. Swimming is a possibility, but beware if the sea is high or if it is rough.

Meals:  B

Transfer to Las Toscas Playa. This walk is in complete contrast to yesterday, taking you into the mountainous interior of the island from where you walk largely downhill to the sea. The walk warms up with a gentle rough road to the beautiful hamlet of Benchijigua, below the Matterhorn like pyramid of ‘Roque Agando’. The descent down to the more substantial village of Pastrana is very pretty although you have to watch your feet as the trail is a little rough in places. At Pastrana you rejoin the tarmac road, from where you can either walk the last 5 km to Santiago or ring for a taxi. Accommodation: Stay two nights at Apartamentos Bellavista situated on a pedestrian lane in Laguna de Santiago. It is a short walk to the beach, restaurants and shops. Here you will have your own apartment equipped with food and drink essentials to greet you on arrival and a private balcony. Breakfast is taken in your apartment, ingredients supplied. Choose from one of the many local fish restaurants at the beach.

Meals:  B

Catch the local bus or taxi to Alajero. This short walk option takes you to see the oldest dragon on the island, hidden away in its rocky valley den. This is the Dracaena Draco Tree. There is then a short trek down the 'barranco' below the tree to a little dam, from where you head up steeply to the small town of Alajero. Catch the afternoon bus or taxi to Playa de Santiago. Underfoot the barranco is quite rough with no effective path so you will be walking around boulders. The longer walk is from Imada to Playa de Santiago. In this case you catch the bus to Imada from where after a quick coffee, there is an amazingly dramatic walk down to Playa de Santiago via the Barranco Guarimiar.

Meals:  B

This is a nice easy walk to the hill village of Chipude, taking in the highest point on La Gomera, Garajonay summit 1487m. On the way down you will pass the pretty hamlet of Manantiale. The weather up here can be very different from that at sea level and waterproofs and warm clothing should be on hand just in case. Accommodation: Overnight at family run Bar/Pension Sonia.

Meals:  B,L,D

Walk from Chipude all the way down to Valle Gran Rey, via La Viscaina. You can also add on the Arure Waterfall walk, 5.6 km from Chipude down to El Guro, then 3 km to Valle Gran Rey. If you prefer to just go to the Arure Waterfall you will be transported to El Guro to the start. There is no real trail, you just follow the barranco Arure up a series of short rocky steps with small cascades to the end of the valley to the Arure Waterfall which is spectacular after rain. Return to El Guro and walk down to Valle Gran Rey and its beaches. Alternatively, walking all the way from Chipude to Valle Gran Rey is a beautiful route taking one of the original mule tracks which cross La Gomera. You will be following one of the spur type ridges that radiate from the centre of the island like the segments of a slightly opened tangerine. The mule path which you reach after the village of El Cercado, is steep and rocky, but not a bad trail. The views are spectacular. Valle Gran Rey has several sheltered beaches for swimming. Accommodation: Overnight in either of our two beautiful hotels at Valle Gran Rey, one is in the area called Playa Calera, the other in the area called La Puntilla. Both are near beaches, have good restaurants and bars and roof top swimming pools.

Meals:  B

Morning to enjoy the delights of the Valle Gran Rey resort and then catch the afternoon bus to San Sebastian. Afternoon at leisure or you could do the short historical walk, taking you around the Torre del Conde, learning about the evil governor of the island, Hernán Peraza and his beautiful wife, Beatriz de Bobadilla; the fate of the Guanches, the aboriginal inhabitants of the islands and perhaps a bit about Christopher Columbus.

Meals:  B

Trip concludes after breakfast. Make your own way to the ferry port for Los Cristianos, Tenerife (included) and your onward journey.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts, 1 dinner (night 5), 1 Packed Lunch (Day 5)
  • 7 nights accommodation in hotels and guesthouses on a twin share basis
  • One piece of luggage per person transferred between your accommodation, not exceeding 20kg
  • Information pack including route notes & maps (1 pack per room booked)
  • Emergency hotline
  • Return ferry from Los Cristianos (Tenerife) to San Sabastian (La Gomera) when travelling both ways with the same ferry operator. There maybe a supplement if we have to purchase 2 one-way tickets.

  • Meals not specified
  • Taxi/bus transfers from or to the airport or elsewhere within La Gomera
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • Excess Luggage
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday

Suitability

moderate

3

We grade the tour as moderate. However the walk should present no difficulties for anyone in reasonable condition and accustomed to walking in hilly areas. Short sections of some walks may be vertiginous but if you are worried, consult us for advice.

Departure dates

Daily from 1 Jan to 31 Dec (except Aug)

Notes

HS
Holiday Season
Note:
8 & 11 day itineraries available (code JG8 or JGM).
Note:
Easter & Christmas supplement applies

Priceper person from

£1050GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • San Sebastian Parador Hotel SupplementGBP£160
  • Single SupplementGBP£180
  • Solo Taveller SupplementGBP£270
  • San Sebastian Parador Hotel Single SupplementGBP£310
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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The ferry is usually the more reliable option. Most UK & international flights go to Tenerife South airport, but the onwards flights to La Gomera go from Tenerife North airport. This is quite a drive away and flights can be cancelled due to windy weather. Normally if you have an early morning flight to Tenerife South you will be able to get to La Gomera on the same day by ferry, a return ticket is included.

The best and safest place for swimming are at the black-sand beaches of Valle Gran Rey.

You will see a scattering of walkers or runners on most days, but most of the walks are quiet until you get to the beaches.

La Gomera is a former volcanic island and many of the trails have been scraped into the rocks over the years. There is no scrambling, but certain sections are very steep often with rocky steps and black basalt sections, which in places can be slippery.

We have a local representative who can offer you advice and help but they will not necessarily be able to immediately drop their current responsibilities and meet you on the walk.

Yes, due to the steep ascents and descents. La Gomera is a mountainous island.

No, rain is restricted to a few days during the winter months. Note that when it does rain, it can be intense. However, the native Laurisilva vegetation can produce its own local humidity.

It can be too warm to walk in August and that's why we won't offer this trip then. But the rest of the year the temperatures are pleasant. Most of the year, you will need to protect yourselves from the sun.

La Gomera Walking Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.