8 Days & 7 Nights

4.7

Walking in La Gomera

A rocky coastline and verdant green gorges make La Gomera a walker's paradise
Dense laurel forests, remnants of eras past and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Brightly coloured streets of San Sebastian, the tiny colonial capital
Perfect walking temperatures - all year round
Coastal and mountain walks and hand picked accommodation

Discover the botanical paradise of La Gomera on foot. La Gomera, the greenest of the Canary Islands, lies just 30 kilometres off the coast of Tenerife, but is a world away in terms of atmosphere and landscape. Steep cliffs along the rocky coastline give way to volcanic peaks inland and deep gorges, or barrancos, limit access to many parts of the island. La Gomera's greatest treasures are found in the Garajonay National Park, among the dense vegetation of its mysterious laurel woods, where centuries-old trees clothed in moss give the impression of a tropical rain forest. In the valleys sculpted landscapes of terraces of banana, papaya and mango trees are equally beautiful. The rugged coast of steep cliffs and small coves are another delight.

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrival in the Canary Islands

Fly to Tenerife, which has excellent flight links to UK and European destinations. Take the bus or a taxi to Los Cristianos Port and the ferry to La Gomera (from 40 minutes, not included). Keep your eyes peeled as dolphins are regularly sighted on the crossing. If you are staying at the Hotel Torre del Conde, it's just a very short walk. For those in the beautiful Parador Hotel you will be met at the port and transferred.

After checking into your hotel stroll around San Sebastian town and enjoy the laid back pace of island life.

Overnight San Sebastián

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Parador de La Gomera | Hotel

Built in the island architectural style, the Parador offers comfortable rooms, a beautiful swimming pool and lush garden with subtropical plants with spectacular ocean views.

Hotel Torre del Conde | Hotel

Hotel Torre del Conde sits in a privileged spot, just beside the emblematic Torre del Conde Park and right amidst the historical village of San Sebastián de La Gomera.

Day 2: Walk From El Reventón Oscuro to Chipude & Garagonay National Park 7.2 miles / 11.6 km

After a short transfer you start the day with a glorious walk up toward Garajonay National Park the green heart of La Gomera. Here you enter the rain forest-like atmosphere of the dense laurel wood which covers most of the northern part of the island. The path continues steeply up, among the twisted trunks of laurel trees, through ferns, moss and lichens. From the top, youll enjoy splendid views of the entire island and further on - to La Palma, El Hierro and the stunning volcanic peak of El Teide on Tenerife. The day ends with a short descent to Chipude.

Ascent: 697m

Descent: 432m

Overnight Chipude

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Sonia | Hotel

A modern and welcoming hotel in Chipude. Offers comfortable rooms and a bar serving traditional home-made dishes.

Day 3 Walk from Chipude to Vallehermoso 8.8 miles / 14.2 km

Begin your day by traversing two lovely barrancos, the steep sided valleys which make so much or La Gomera impenetrable. You then pass the pottery-making village of El Cercado to reach the prettiest valley on the island, Barranco de Valle Gran Rey, with its terraced fields and palm groves.

You really must stop on route for lunch in Las Hayas at a traditional restaurant which serves regional specialities. If you still have the energy you then descend through palms, junipers, heather and laurel trees, into the Valley of Los Loros and on to your hotel in Vallehermoso.

Ascent: 275m

Descent: 1197m

Overnight Vallehermoso

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Añaterve

Hotel Añaterve has been carefully renovated recently and offers both an authentic style and modern comfort. The spacious rooms have been designed with careful detailing and have a beautiful view. In the restaurant, you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner, with a view on an old winepress from the original Casa de Vino from 1900.

Day 4 Circular walk from Vallehermoso 8.6 miles / 13.9 km

Today you explore a drier landscape. A long gradual ascent leads up to the chapel of Santa Clara, built high on a ridge, which enjoys breath-taking views – 700m straight down and out over the mountaintops to the sea. Then, following a well-maintained (though very steep) path, you walk down to a tiny cove along the coast, where you will surely be tempted to while away an hour or so before returning to Vallehermoso.

Ascent: 760m

Descent: 772m

Overnight Vallehermoso

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Añaterve

Day 5 Walk from Vallehermoso to Hermigua 10.9 miles / 17.6 km

You walk out of Vallehermoso Valley by way of El Cano, a classic ‘frozen’ lava tube. Your route takes you to the village of Rosas and the Garajonay National Park visitors’ centre (Centro de Visitantes), where you’ll find a wealth of information on the island. Next you follow the GR-132 down to the coastal village of Agulo, then take the bus (or continue walking) to Hermigua. Be sure to check current bus timetables before setting off.

Ascent/Descent: 1130m

Overnight Hermigua

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Casa de los Herrera | Hotel

It is a nineteenth century mansion, with over a hundred years old, carefully restored to maintain its original style and charm of their lordly origin, located in the municipality of Hermigua.

Day 6 Circular walk from Hermigua 7.3 miles / 11.7 km

On this circular route you explore the spectacular coastline east of Hermigua and have the option of walking down to the beach at La Caleta, with its pleasant open-air beach bar with canopy. The walk traverses an area filled with varieties of wolf’s milk cacti and succulents, such as agaves and prickly pear cacti.

Ascent/Descent: 572m

Overnight Hermigua

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Casa de los Herrera | Hotel

It is a nineteenth century mansion, with over a hundred years old, carefully restored to maintain its original style and charm of their lordly origin, located in the municipality of Hermigua.

Day 7 Walk to San Sebastián 10 miles / 16 km

Today you choose between two fantastic walks, a shorter or longer descent back to San Sebastián. Both routes begin with a short transfer.

The shorter (easier) walk is a well-marked historic route on dirt paths, where some sections have gravel / loose rock, in constant – but gradual - descent.

The longer route takes you to the vista point at Degollada de Peraza, then through a stunning landscape on the southeast coast of the islands. Some sections traverse high terrain, but paths are well-maintained and way-marked. The last section takes you past a beach, where you can stop for a swim. A lovely way to end your week on Gomera. This walk is not recommended for those with a fear of heights.

Shorter walk: 9.6 km, 104m ascent, 1030m descent

Longer walk: 14.7 km, 460m ascent, 1406m descent

Overnight San Sebastián

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Parador de La Gomera | Hotel

Built in the island architectural style, the Parador offers comfortable rooms, a beautiful swimming pool and lush garden with subtropical plants with spectacular ocean views.

Hotel Torre del Conde | Hotel

Hotel Torre del Conde sits in a privileged spot, just beside the emblematic Torre del Conde Park and right amidst the historical village of San Sebastián de La Gomera.

Day 8 Departure from the Canary Islands

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 8kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 8kg is equivalent to 12 pints of local beer at the bar. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

The second smallest of the Canary Islands makes for the ideal year-round escape for keen walkers. The tour is graded moderate to strenuous and daily walks vary between 5 & 7 hours. If you are afraid of heights this is not the destination for you.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Islands

Winter Sun

National Parks

Grade & Terrain

This walking tour is graded Moderate to Strenuous. Walks of 5 to 7 hrs a day with long (sometimes very steep) ascents and descents (up to 935m in a day for ascent and 1300m in descent). Not suitable for those who have a fear of heights as there are some steep drop offs on clifftop sections. The walks follow rural tracks, both surfaced and unsurfaced, footpaths and animal trails. You may encounter some loose rock, or muddy / slippery sections in wet weather. Days 3, 4 and 7 (the longer option) are graded as strenuous due to the level of difficulty in terrain for those particular days.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

5 Nights in small hotels and guesthouses
2 Nights in the 4* Parador in San Sebastian
7 Breakfasts
1 Dinner
A detailed information pack, route notes and maps
Access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App
Full information pack on local history, culture & traditions
Transfers on day 2 and 7
Transfers between San Sebastian port and hotel
Luggage transfer as per the itinerary
24 hour emergency telephone support and assistance

Excluded

Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks (other than dinner on Day 1)
Travel Insurance
Transport should you need to skip a stage
Additional transfers, such as the bus/taxi from Tenerife South airport to Port Los Cristianos
Return ferry from Los Cristianos (Tenerife) to San Sebastian de la Gomera

Extras

Extra nights during, before or after the tour.
Extra nights on Tenerife.

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

Getting Around

Required transfers are included. If you wish to skip a walk you can use local taxis or buses.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.