Contrasts of La Gomera

New

8 Days from

CAD 2,345

incl. Taxes

Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Ages :

12+

Trip Code :

W07LA

La Gomera is known as the untouched Canary Island, popular with walkers, nature enthusiasts and those who are seeking the quieter side of the Canaries.

Taking a little longer to arrive, and with a less direct route, you will soon discover it was well worth it. Situated off the coast of Tenerife by some 30kms, this is a paradise for those who like dramatic scenery, awe inspiring vistas, beautiful green valleys and ancient tropical rain forests.

This self-guided, multi centre holiday offers much in the way of varied routes; mountainous paths, walks through forests, treks through the National Park and along coastal paths. Past ancient villages with their colourful houses and pretty churches, to the towns of Hermigua and Valle Gran Rey, brimming with Canarian history, culture and cuisine.

You spend your first night in the capital town of San Sebastian, following your journey from Tenerife. The next three nights are at the Hotel Villa Hermigua, and then the last four at Hotel Jardin Concha in the town of Valle Gran Rey, perfect bases from which you take in a variety of walks and treks, to see the best this island has to offer.

Highlights

A year-round destination with temperate climate, perfect for all types of walking
Visit quaint villages and towns full of historical and cultural interest
Dramatic landscapes with awe inspiring views, beautiful green valleys and ancient forests
Chance to sample some of the finest Canarian cuisine
UNESCO World Heritage Garajonay National Park

Key Information

7 nights in a mix of 3 star hotels, all rooms en suite
Route directions and maps
Car hire

What's Included

All accommodation (see accommodation section)
All buffet breakfasts
Route directions and maps
Car hire

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Visas or vaccinations
Travel to the start and from the end point

6 Days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

Walks on this holiday are on village streets, country lanes, farm tracks and rural or mountain paths. Walking boots are essential. Walking poles are recommended.

Day 2

7 km / 4.3 miles

Day 3

11 km / 6.8 miles

Day 4

8 km / 5 miles

Day 5

6 km / 3.7 miles

Day 6

6 km / 3.7 miles

Day 7

8 km / 5 miles

Itinerary

Arriving at the ferry port on La Gomera from Tenerife, you will pick up hire car for the week, and drive a short distance to your first stay in the capital town, San Sebastian. A pretty town with many colourful buildings, plazas and pedestrianised areas filled with shops and restaurants.

You stay at the Hotel Torre Del Conde

Your day begins with a short drive from San Sebastian to Degollada de Peraza, a narrow pass through the edge of two mountains and the starting point of the first walk in La Gomera. Today's circular trail takes you towards the beautiful village of La Laja, with its stone zig zag path winding all the way down through palm trees, terraces and ruins of old stone cottages, long since uninhabited. From here there is a steep climb, passing through the hamlet and its orchards and with incredible views of the volcanic rocks all around. As you continue upwards you will see the Roque Agando, one of the islands most spectacular, often used as a symbol for La Gomera itself. A protected area, (sacrificial remains of an ancient tribe were once found on the summit), the viewpoint is a popular destination and leads to the path back to where you will find your car. Drive on to your second hotel in Hermigua.

You stay at the Hotel Villa Hermigua

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your route today leads to the highest point on La Gomera, the Garajonay National Park. Located in the centre of the island, the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, due to the large number of fauna and flora to be found here, endemic to this region and its volcanic climate. One of the most visited parks on the island, there are many trails and paths through the dense forest of laurel trees that you can follow. The highest point on La Gomera, the summit or Alto of Garajonay, lies in the middle of the park, from which you can see four other Canary Islands: El Hierro, La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, on a clear day. After the summit, the path leads down towards the village of Chipude, a mountain hamlet thought to be the oldest on the island. Two hundred years ago, this was the most inhabited village on La Gomera, though now it is mostly a starting point for hikes, with numerous bars and restaurants for its daily visitors, providing a perfect location for a lunch time break before returning to explore more of this beautiful National park.

You stay at the Hotel Villa Hermigua

Meals Included: Breakfast

A short transfer from your hotel and you will arrive at the northern part of the Garajonay National Park, and then onwards to the small village of El Cedro. The village is accessed from the Barranco de Monteforte ravine, where the El Cedro path ascends towards the Mirador de El Bailadero viewpoint, a stunning location to take some memorable photos. El Cedro is a beautiful hamlet, a reminder of the old villages that lived from the resources of the mountain and where the adventurous can still travel through the water tunnel running through the mountain. This is a great place to stop for a rest before a steep path down to Hermigua, via three waterfalls. The largest of these is Los Chorros del Cedro, which at more than 150 metres high, is a spectacular site and was once used locally to generate electricity. Continuing on you will soon see the twin rocks of Pedro and Petra, incredible rock formations before you arrive back at your hotel for a well deserved meal and rest.

You stay at the Villa Hermigua

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today's walk, (quite steep in some places) leads you to one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, Agulo (also known as the 'green balcony' as its main crop is bananas), which is situated inside the National Park. From the village there are stunning views across the Atlantic towards the island of Tenerife and its Pico del Teide. We recommend you take some time to wander through the twisty streets and small square, enjoying the colourful house and delightful churches. From here, there is a circular walk up to the Mirador de Abrantes, with its spectacular viewpoint, before returning to the village from the north. This afternoon, drive to your final hotel, in the town of Valle Gran Rey.

You stay at the Hotel Jardin Concha

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you will drive to the northwest of La Gomera, renowned for its wild and rugged landscapes which are continually at the mercy of the trade winds. We approach the route from Alojera a tiny coastal village with a dramatic location in front of spectacular cliffs and crashing waves below. The road leads across the coast to Puerto del Trigo, once a busy trade wharf for the transport of goods to the capital, is nowadays a refuge for fishermen. The path then climbs again on the opposite side of the ravine and continues to offer incredible vistas of natural beauty along the north coast of La Gomera.

You stay at the Hotel Jardin Concha

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today's final walk on La Gomera starts in Valle Gran Rey, and climbs up the restored Camino Real, to the village of Arure. On our way up you will enjoy the indescribable view of one of the most spectacular gorges on the island, the gorge of Valle Gran Rey, before reaching the viewpoint of Cesar Manrique. Following on you reach the village of Arure itself and visit the viewpoint at the Ermita de Santo, whilst taking a well deserved refreshment break. From here you can see magnificent views of the Taguluche Valley below, before you begin the descent to Los Granados and your final evening on the island.

You stay at the Hotel Jardin Concha

Meals Included: Breakfast

Depart La Gomera harbour for your ferry back to Tenerife, and from there your onward journey home.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Spain

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Spain. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/spain
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/spain
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Spain.html

Vaccination

Spain

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts are included.

We've included breakfast each day and picnic lunches are easy to organise or if you prefer, stop off for some lunch in one of the many eateries along the way. In all overnight locations there are a few restaurants to choose from, so we have left your evening meal up to you.

Canarian dishes tend to be simple and elegant, owing much to sun-ripened tropical fruits such as paw-paw, prickly pear and bananas, local vegetables such as sweetcorn and potatoes and fresh fish such as moray and snapper.

Specialities include conejo al salmorejo (slow cooked rabbit with garlic, paprika and chili); rancho canario (a chickpea meaty soup), ropa vieja (chicken, pork and or beef stew); chocos (cuttlefish); and crema de puerros y bubangos (cream of leek and prawn stew). The most popular fish are members of the sea bass family - cherne, cabrilla or merluza are common, and you may find grilled swordfish (espada a la plancha), as well as calamares (squid), gambas (prawns) and pulpo (octopus).

Weather

On La Gomera, the weather is superb year-round. The sun shines here for more days of the year than most other places in the world. The weather does depend on the time of year and also the parts of the island that you visit.

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

This is a moderate walking holiday because of the distance covered each day rather than the altitude change or the terrain. There is lots of classic Canarian countryside to enjoy, rural and mountain paths. Walks on this holiday are on village streets, country lanes, farm tracks and rural paths. Walking days are approximately 2 - 4 hours with gentle ascents.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. You are provided with route notes for each day, but it is entirely up to you which walks you take. The route notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.