La Gomera is the ideal destination for hiking lovers. Getting to know our magical island on foot leads you to discover incredible landscapes and real gems that nature hides in one of the 8 wonders of the Atlantic.
The Caminos Naturales de La Gomera are part of a nationwide network of trails that offers an infinite number of trails that are perfectly prepared for enjoying nature. In La Gomera there are two of these trails, the Costas de La Gomera Nature Trail, which skirts the island in eight stages along the GR-132 circular path; and the Cumbres de La Gomera Nature Trail, which runs through the island’s inland in three stages, coinciding with the GR-131.
Costas de La Gomera Nature Trail
Let us start discovering the nature trails of La Gomera through the coastal route. As we said, the Costas de La Gomera Nature Trail consists of eight stages.
- Stage 1. San Sebastián de La Gomera- Hermigua. The first section starts in San Sebastián de La Gomera. It allows you to get to know the historic centre of the island's capital and then continue on to the Majona Nature Reserve from where you can see Mount Teide. From there it continues to the end of the stage, the playa de Hermigua beach.
- Stage 2. Hermigua- Playa de Vallehermoso beach. Near the end of the previous stage, begins the second stage. Crossing the terraces, you will reach the town of Agulo and from there you go up to the Travesía peak area and then on to the Garajonay National Park Visitor Centre. Before reaching the last destination, the Playa de Vallehermoso beach, you will discover the town and reservoir of Las Rosas.
- Stage 3. Playa de Vallehermoso beach- Alojera. This stage reveals the basal complex of the island to the visitor. More than 15 kilometres of a landscape created by erosion that surprises everyone who comes across them.
- Stage 3.1. Las Rosas-Chorros de Epina. Starting at the La Rosas reservoir dam, this route leads to the town of Vallehermoso, where it connects with the Cumbres de La Gomera Nature Trail. It runs through the vicinity of Roque Cano and ends at the Chorros de Epina, a place that is the subject of one of the island's legends.
- Stage 4. Alojera- Valle Gran Rey. This nature trail in La Gomera crosses two natural areas, the Natural Monument Lomo del Carretón and the Valle Gran Rey Rural Park.
- Stage 5. La Calera (Valle Gran Rey)- La Dama. We head south passing through hills and ravines. You cross slopes such as the Lomo del Harinero or the Argaga ravine to finally reach the town of La Dama, an area that has the largest surface area of banana plantations on the island.
- Stage 6. La Dama- Alajeró. This route is characterised by ravines and wide hills, terraces and small rural villages of great tradition and culture.
- Stage 7. Alajeró- Playa de Santiago beach. This stage, which can be described as easier, is just over 10 kilometres long, linking Alajeró and Playa de Santiago beach.
- Stage 8. Playa de Santiago beach - San Sebastian de La Gomera. The stage starts very near Hotel Jardín Tecina, in Playa de Santiago beach, and ends in the "Villa", San Sebastián de La Gomera. It is crossed by ravines and beaches of great scenic value.
Once we have finished the Costas de La Gomera Nature Trail, we discover the other network of trails that crosses the island, the Cumbres de La Gomera Nature Trail, which includes the following stages.
- Stage 1. San Sebastián de La Gomera- Degollada de Peraza. On this route you will enjoy views of the Cabrito and La Laja ravines and the Magro and Sombrero rocks, ending at Degollada de Peraza, an emblematic crossroads.
- Stage 2. Degollada de Peraza- Chipude. This stage enters one of the natural jewels of La Gomera, the Garajonay National Park, where the best representation of laurel forest in the entire Canary Islands archipelago is preserved.
- Stage 3. Chipude-Vallehermoso. Hermitages, pine forests, cliffs, fortresses, towns such as El Cercado and Las Hayas and the Garajonay National Park to reach Vallehermoso on this 14-kilometre route.
- Branch line: Vallehermoso - Playa de Vallehermoso beach. This branch line joins Vallehermoso with the beach of the same name, where it also joins the Costas de La Gomera Nature Trail.
Shall we set off to discover La Gomera on foot? Choose the route you like best and get ready to enjoy the magic of our island.