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Canary Island
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
La Gomera is the second smallest island of the Canary Islands. It is an undeveloped, unspoilt, beautiful island 40 minutes by fast ferry from Tenerife that is ideal for walkers.
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With El Castillo del Mar - former loading station (mostly for bananas), which had been restored and turned into a venue by a long-time resident German photographer but is permanently closed now.
Striking basalt columns, similar to the Giant's Causeway, but only visible from the sea. Boats departing from Playa Santiago and Valle Gran Rey offer weekly trips around the island to visit it. Its name is because of the rocks, shaped by water and lava as church organ tubes.
Stunning views into the valley through the huge windows in this strangely formal establishment. Very hard to spot this place from the road below except at night when the lit windows float eerily in the darkened mountains. There is a nice well-kept garden and a beautiful view.
Mirador de Agulo
Viewpoints towards Tenerife, a bar with a glass extension hanging over cliff over Agulo. Great panoramatic view and a road through red-colored mountain
A UNESCO World Heritage site - extensive forested area on the top of the island. It protects the largest laurel rainforest remaining on Earth, "almost as old as the island itself" — the vegetation type has stayed the same for millions of years. The forest is made up of different evergreens flourishing under the mild temperatures. Trees are irrigated by the mist which sometimes covers the top of the island, especially in winter. The trees are covered in mosses and lichens. This environment extended all around the Mediterranean Sea in the Tertiary Era, so the National Park is considered a living relic. Several species endemic to the Canary Islands live here, including the Gomeran lizard, Gomeran skink, stripeless tree frog, laurel pigeon and Bolle's pigeon. Crisscrossed with footpaths of several difficulty levels, it is known as the green heart of La Gomera. Highlights include:
Very eerie in the mist if the trees are creaking. Beautiful carpets of Canarian geranium in spring. For a very intense "old forest" experience, hike Las Hayas - Las Creces - Raso de la Bruma - Mirador Risquillos de Corgo - Cañada de Jorge - Las Creces - Las Hayas.
Area around a big clearing, which is the actual La Laguna Grande. There's a small park and a few footpaths towards a viewpoint of Alto de Garajonay. Good place for a short hike with kids, with playgrounds, BBQ areas, a restaurant and parking lot.
Specific part of the Garajonay National Park and the Laurisilva Forrest. Despite the name, these are not cedar woods (the name refers to a long gone lone cedar tree). One possible way is starting from the parking lot Los Contaderos (GM2, close to Alto de Garajonay) and hiking north/north-east downhill to El Cedro (or even to Hermigua) - the landscape changes from small, mostly dry vegetation to a dense forest with tall trees, and beautifully calm. There are many other walking routes around the forest. Don't miss the water tunnel through the mountain. Take a torch and mind your head! And bring boots as the water can be six inches deep or more. Do not access when it is raining! Access to El Cedro is possible also by car, via a road made from seemingly loose flat stones - fun auditory experience, as car moves the stones slightly. On the path between El Cedro and Hermigua, there's a waterfall which is the only one in La Gomera that has water all year long.
Near Pavón, an outcrop of rock/table mountain. Remains of the main volcanic chimney of the island. Similar but smaller mountain - Calvario - is nearby Alajeró, with a small church at the top.
The lion
Hike to two rocks resembling a lion and a sombrero.
Five or six volcanic plugs at the center of the island, e.g. Roque de Agando
The valley to the south of Los Roques. Amazing changes of vegetation as you drop into the valley.
Stunning terraces in the upper valley. Lower valley still showing some influence (in places) of the time when this was a hippie hangout, but creature comforts widely available. In the upper part of the valley, there are several good paths up in the mountains.
Restaurant with typical Canarians meals. It provides Silbo Gomero whistling demonstrations. It also has a bar.
Quiet and friendly mountain restaurant, surrounded by the Laurisilva forest. Has won prize of the best watercress soup of La Gomera.
Apartments and Rural Houses
These Canarian-style apartments allow you to enjoy a tranquil break, relaxing by the swimming pool, and enjoying the fresh air.
Hotel-apartments on top of Mirador de La Punta, just above the Atlantic Ocean. All 16 rooms features an excellent view on La Punta de Hermigua and la Montaña del Hueco, as well as Teide mountain on clear weather. Outdoor swimming-pool.
By boat
By ferry from Los Cristianos in Tenerife to San Sebastian de la Gomera port (or if operated, directly to Playa Santiago or Valle Gran Rey).
By car
com. One of the companies that accept debit cards is Pluscar. Most companies have their office right next to the San Sebastian ferry terminal., TFS airport), it's probably best to book upfront.
On foot
The preferred method for a lot of people coming here—see #Hiking below.
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Tenerife · International · TFS
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the ferries from Los Cristianos arrive here. A good base for walking as all the local buses leave (starting at 10:30) from the bus station to the villages of La Gomera. Columbus set sail from here. It has several nice black sand beaches and some historic buildings like the Count's Tower or the Church of La Asunción. Throughout the years it has grown over the hills and inside the valley.}}
Valle Gran Rey is a town in La Gomera, Canary Islands. Valle Gran Rey is divided roughly into four areas with different characters and it's worth thinking which suits you best: 1 La Calera.
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