Epic hiking trails on La Gomera
Hiking on La Gomera
During the more than six weeks that we spent on La Gomera we hiked a lot. La Gomera is a true hiking paradise and we have experienced the great hiking possibilities that La Gomera offers. For every hiker there are many options, but note, the island consists largely of canyons and mountains, so expect some challenges with climbing and descending. Read in this blog about the hiking possibilities on La Gomera and about a number of trails that we have hiked ourselves.
Before we went on our indefinite journey, of course we hiked sometimes. And especially in the first period of lockdown due to Covid we walked almost every day. We both worked from home and always decided to go outside for 30-45 minutes during the lunch break and go for a walk. On La Gomera we went hiking much more. Geert had already decided this because it is a good way of moving for him. After all, he has an artificial hip, for example is no longer allowed to run, and brisk walks are a very good alternative. Ella was less able to run on La Gomera and decided to hook up if there was not too much climbing to do. And so we made a lot of beautiful meters in more than 6 weeks.
La Gomera is a relatively small island but offers fantastic hiking opportunities. There are different types of trails. On the official website of hiking in La Gomera, these are neatly arranged. A distinction is made between trails that are short, medium or long. And a distinction is made between trails that are a circle (circular) and those that go from point A to B (linear). Both a short and an extensive description of all these trails is available on the website. This contains useful information such as the difficulty of the trail, the distance, the altitude meters to be covered and sometimes a description of the trail. The trail is also indicated on a map on the website and that is of course visually useful.
Hiking signs
There are good signs along the official hiking trails on La Gomera
In addition to the website, there is also a handy app available in which the trails are included. Here a distinction is also made between the trails, but less information is available on the app. We generally used the website in preparation for a hike. And then the app on the way if we sometimes lost the trail or combined routes. Along the way, the trails are well indicated with signs showing the number and color of the route.
As far as colors are concerned, a distinction is made between the red trails and green trails. There are two red trails on the island, the GR-131 and the GR-132. These are longer and heavier trails across the island. The GR-131 crosses the island from San Sebastian to Playa Vallehermoso and is 37 km long. It is recommended to do this trail in two stages. The GR-132 is the roundtrip of La Gomera that largely runs along the coast. The length of this trail is 122km in total and for this it is recommended to do it in 8 stages. But we have also read online reports that indicate that it can also be done in 6 stages. Both GR trails are part of the European long-distance path E7.
Hiking in the rain
When we were hiking trail 7 it was raining cats and dogs
In this blog attention to a few trails that we have hiked, but also have a look at other blogs of La Gomera. Beautiful hiking trails also regularly return here. Let's start with an easy and fun trail that we walked centrally on the island. This is the circular trail number 16 in the middle of the island. It is a round that starts and ends at the Pajarito car park. This is actually a parking lot especially for hikers because several trails start or pass here. The length is not that long at 7.3 km and the height difference is also small with 135 vertical meters. The hike is continuous above 1200m and largely goes through green areas with often beautiful views of the island. These are mainly views to the south to the barrancos towards Alajero and Ajugal. The paths are also good accesible, but always wear sturdy and waterproof hiking shoes on La Gomera. This trail is not too bad, but on most trails the paths are narrow and uneven, there are loose stones and it can be steep up or down. We have largely hiked trail 16 in the pouring rain, which can occur at that altitude on La Gomera.
Another beautiful trail we hiked was a combination of the linear trail 16 and part of the GR-132 on the southwest side of the island. We started in La Dama with the first part of trail 16. This eventually goes to Chipude and is almost 15km. At one point we diverted and hiked a part of the GR-132 to Playa Iguala. That is a remote beach where we did some skinnydipping, yes yes. From there we hiked back the same route. In total about 16km with a height difference of about 400m, both up and down. A beautiful trail along the coast through and along the barrancos with often great views of the sea or the mountains inland. This trail is passable, but certainly on the part of the GR-132 there are a number of narrow and steep parts.
Playa Iguala
During one of our hikes on La Gomera we ended up at Playa Iguala and did some skinny dipping
Finally, in this blog attention to a trail that Geert hiked alone. It is a combination of the linear trail 7 that goes from Epina above 1000m to Playa Vallehermoso to sea level. Because this trail was near Tazo where our accommodation was, Geert gave it his own interpretation. From Tazo first climb a bit towards trail 7 and at Santa Clara take the trail towards Playa Vallehermoso. From there, climb back the same trail and hike a bit from stage 3 of the GR-132 that takes you past Arguamul. That is also almost at sea level, so then you have to descend a bit again. And again a bit of climbing towards Tazo to get "home". But on this combined route you see La Gomera in many facets. Lots of climbing and descending through and over the barrancos on narrow paths. The beautiful Playa Vallehermoso on the coast. But certainly also the small and remote village of Arguamul, the end of the Gomerian world. This combined hike is approximately 20 km with a total of about 700 vertical meters. The advice is to really set aside a whole day for this.
Meet new friends
When hiking on La Gomera you meet new friends
These are just a few examples of the fantastic hiking opportunities that La Gomera offers. And really something for everyone. Hike one of the official circular or linear routes or combine as we have done for even more variety. And as said, take a look at one of the other blogs where hiking trails are also described. If you have any questions about hiking in La Gomera, just send us an email.
Look for more photo material and information about hiking on La Gomera on various Instagram posts and on our Polarsteps page!
Ella & Geert.