Overview
A week of self-guided walking in La Gomera, one of the Canaries’ lesser-known islands, and the archipelago’s greenest, with much of its biodiverse beauty protected by Garajonay National Park. Trek through a landscape of elevated, misty sub-tropical rainforest, made up of beech and ancient laurel trees covered in lichen. As well as along a rugged coastline or the luscious slopes and ravines of Vallehermosa. La Gomera is otherworldly, open all year round to trekkers, staying in charming, locally-owned 3-star hotels, with luggage transfers.
- Garajonay National Park
- Vallehermosa
- UNESCO Laurelvista forests
- Barranco de Valle Gran Rey
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive into Tenerife
Arrive into Tenerife Airport and take a bus or a taxi to Los Cristianos port, then a ferry to San Sebastián on La Gomera (one hour journey, price not included). Dolphins are regularly sighted during the ferry crossing. Walk to your hotel, located just 500m from the port and, depending on your arrival time, take time to enjoy the capital of this small, fascinating island.
- Overnight in San Sebastián de la Gomera (Hotel Torre del Conde or similar)
Day 2: Garajonay National Park | 13km
From the houses, gardens and terraced fields of Hermigua Valley, walk up towards Garajonay National Park, the green heart of La Gomera. This is a landscape of sub-tropical rainforest, with dense laurel woodland covering much of the island’s northern regions. Continue to ascend along a path, past twisted trunks of laurel trees, covered in ancient lichens and moss. From the top, you emerge to get superb views of the entire island and, depending on the weather, across to other Canarian islands of La Palma, El Hierro and the iconic volcanic peak of El Teide on Tenerife. The day ends with a short descent to Chipude.
- Walking for the day: 13km, 5-6h, ↑750m ↓760m
- Overnight in Chipude (Hotel Sonia or similar)
Day 3: Chipude to Vallehermoso | 15km
After traversing two lovely valleys, or barrancos, you pass the pottery-making village of El Cercado to come to the palm-rich and typically terraced slopes of Barranco de Valle Gran Rey, one of the prettiest valleys on the island. Along the way, stop for lunch in Las Hayas at a traditional restaurant which serves regional specialities before making your descent through palm, juniper and laurel groves into Los Loros and then onto to your hotel.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 5-6h, ↑240m ↓1,100m
- Overnight in Vallehermoso (Hotel Añaterve or similar)
Day 4: Vallehermoso circular walk | 14km
Today’s walk takes you into a somewhat drier landscape. A long gradual ascent leads up to Santa Clara chapel, with more spectacular views out to sea. Another steep walk awaits, but this time downwards to a tiny cove. From here, walk back to the village of Vallehermoso.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 5-6h, ↑735m ↓735m
- Overnight in Vallehermoso (Hotel Añaterve or similar)
Day 5: Vallehermoso to Hermigua | 17km
Walk to Garajonay National Park Visitor Centre where you start a descent into Barranco de Argoto. You then walk upwards again to the viewpoint at Chorillo, where you can see straight down into the valley 800m below. Ascend once more before taking the path back down to Hermigua.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 6-7h, ↑935m ↓1,140m
- Overnight in Hermigua (Hotel Rural Ibo Alfaro or similar)
Day 6: Hermigua circular walk | 13km
Today’s walk starts with a short, steep ascent. Your route then takes you through terraced farms and banana groves. Then the landscape changes abruptly. A wide path crosses stark surroundings with sparse vegetation, passing several barrancos that lead down to the coast. Succulents and cacti carpet the ground, as you approach one of the highlights of the week – views out to Tenerife and the summit of Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain at 3,718m. Walking poles are highly recommended today, with so many ascents and descents on some tricky terrain and ancient paths.
- Walking for the day: 13km, 5-6h, ↑600m ↓660m
- Overnight in Hermigua (Hotel Rural Ibo Alfaro or similar)
Day 7: Hermigua to San Sebastián | 10-16km
You have a choice of walking routes today, both of which begin with a short transfer.
- Option 1: The shorter walk starts at Las Casetas, with a short ascent. You then start downhill on steep terrain along the coast. There are beautiful views of the sea, with Tenerife and Mount Teide in the distance.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 3-4h, ↑125m ↓1,025m
- Option 2: The longer route takes you to the viewpoint at Degollada de Peraza, then through a stunning landscape on the south-east coast of the island. Some sections traverse high terrain, but paths are well-maintained and waymarked. The last part takes you past a beach, perfect for a final day swim.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 6-7h, ↑350m ↓1,300m
- Overnight in San Sebastián de la Gomera (Hotel Torre del Conde or similar)
Day 8: Departure
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Ferry back to Tenerife (not included).
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in small, mainly 3-star hotels. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available on route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You have plenty of options for dinner in the villages and towns.
Difficulty and terrain
This walking tour is quite demanding with walks of 4 to 7h a day with long (sometimes very steep) ascents and descents (up to 935m in a day). It is not suitable for those who do not have a head for heights as there are some steep drop-offs on clifftop sections. The walks follow rural tracks, either surfaced and unsurfaced, footpaths and animal trails. You must be sure-footed as you may encounter some loose rock, or muddy/slippery sections in wet weather (read more about difficulty grades). Most of the routes are not way-marked, but we will provide you with detailed road notes and maps. We strongly advise you to follow the trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
You can start this holiday on any date during the year. La Gomera enjoys year-round mild weather with average maximum temperatures ranging from 15-25C. Being an island it can however experience foggy weather (especially in winter months), some strong winds and tropical storms in summer, when it also may become quite hot. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Tenerife South Airport (TFS). An alternative option is Tenerife North (TFN).
By train or bus
- Take a bus or taxi from Tenerife South airport to Los Cristianos port (30mins). Take a ferry to San Sebastián de La Gomera (approx one hour journey). The last ferry leaves at 20.00. For up-to-date timetables, see fredolsen.es. Latest arrival time: Tenerife South: 17.30. Earliest departure time: Tenerife South: 11.30. We can book you extra nights in Tenerife near the airport if required.
- Alternatively, you can use an internal flight from Tenerife North with Binter to La Gomera (approx. 30mins). For further details, click here or use the Omio planner above. You can also book private transfers and ferry tickets through us (at a supplemental cost).
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights in mostly 3-star hotels
- 7 breakfasts
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure, and no printed documents are mailed or provided on site
- Transfers on day two and day seven
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days (one piece up to 20kg per person)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
- Airport transfers are bookable upon request
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