FROM SAN SEBASTIÁN TO HERMIGUA

This month we head over to the island of La Gomera to tackle a walk that is long and challenging but full of variety and attractions. Our route takes us through ravines, protected landscapes and beautiful scenery, and connects two of the island’s most important towns: San Sebastián, the capital, and Hermigua. For the walk, we will follow the first stretch of the La Gomera Coasts natural trail.

Our walk begins in the island’s capital, situated in the bay that served as a temporary stopover for Christopher Columbus’s expedition in 1492. We head towards the parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and follow the signs for the GR131 Trail along Orilla del Llano street, which we leave at the La Hoya roundabout. We then take the path up through La Cabezada, Jollada de las Horquetas, Picacho Jaragán and Punta del Jurón, before finally reaching the top at Altos de Uteza. Throughout the climb along this watershed, the wonderful views on both sides provide an excellent excuse for a rest.

We continue on until Enchereda, a small hamlet at the top of the Majona ravine, after which one of La Gomera’s most spectacular natural spaces, the Majona Natural Park, is named. These former communal pasture lands in the Majona and Juel ravines are a sanctuary for natural life today. The land was designated a Natural Park in 1994 and its isolated location has aided the conservation of botanical and geological elements of exceptional value, including examples of pine woodland, tabaiba shrub vegetation and thermophilous forest, with its abundance of junipers and wild olive trees, two species that are very rare in the Canaries.

In addition to the rugged and craggy Gomera landscape that accompanies us along the way, we can see in the distance the clear shape of the island of Tenerife, crowned by the majestic Mt Teide, on the other side of the narrow stretch of sea separating the islands of legendary lovers Gara and Jonay. After passing Gollada del Raso, we go around the basin of the Juel ravine, exiting at Roque Carballo.

In addition to the rugged and craggy Gomera landscape, we can see in the distance the clear shape of the island of Tenerife, crowned by the majestic Mt Teide.

From here we make our way down to the hamlet of El Palmar, which is situated outside the protected space and just over 220 metres above sea level. Next, we cross the La Salina and La Caleta ravines before walking up Cañada de los Mareantes as far as Lomo del Trigo. From here we finally catch a glimpse of Hermigua valley and - at the top - the El Cedro Forest, which is the greenest and most fertile on the island and hence one of its most prosperous. The last section of our route takes us down through the Los Pedacitos district into the town where, sea conditions permitting, we can enjoy a refreshing dip on the Santa Catalina beach as the end to an extraordinary walk.

Positive elevation: 1025 metres uphill.

Negative elevation: 1010 metres downhill.

Length: 26.7 km.

Highest point : 740 m.a.s.l.

Lowest point : 0 m.a.s.l.

Nearby places of interest : The hamlets of Enchereda and El Palmar are two perfect examples of traditional La Gomera settlements.

Notes: this walk is very challenging in terms of both distance and total elevation. It is not recommended for people who are not regular walkers. Did you know that much of the walk takes us through the Majona Natural Park? The Park includes two ravines whose secluded position has led to excellent examples of tabaiba shrubland and juniper groves, among other plant formations.