A guidebook to day walks and treks on the islands of La Gomera and El Hierro. Exploring the beautiful scenery of the smallest Canary Islands, the walks are suitable for beginner and experienced walkers alike.

The 33 day walks range from 7 to 20km (4–12 miles) in length and can be enjoyed in 2–8 hours. The GR131 trek crosses all seven of the Canary Islands, and the La Gomera and El Hierro sections are described in 4 stages covering 86km (53 miles). The GR132, a circular long-distance walk around La Gomera, is also included, covering 133km (83 miles) over 6 stages with 2 variants provided.

• 1:50,000 maps included for each walk
• GPX files available to download
• Detailed information on planning, facilities and public transport
• Easy access from San Sebastián and Valverde
• Part of a 5-volume Cicerone series on the whole of the Canary Islands

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

Location

Geology

Wildlife

National parks

The Fortunate Isles

Getting there

When to go

Accommodation

Health and safety

Food and drink

Language

Money

Communications

Walking on La Gomera and El Hierro

What to take

Waymarking and access

Maps

Emergencies

Using this guide

La Gomera

Introduction

Getting there

Getting around

Accommodation

Food and drink

Tourist information offices

Walk 1 San Sebastián and Jaragán

Walk 2 Los Roques and La Laja

Walk 3 Degollada de Peraza and Contreras

Walk 4 Los Roques and Benchijigua

Walk 5 Pajaritos to Playa de Santiago

Walk 6 Igualero to La Dama

Walk 7 Chipude and Barranco de Argaga

Walk 8 Chipude and La Matanza

Walk 9 La Laguna Grande and Alto de Garajonay

Walk 10 El Cercado and Valle Gran Rey

Walk 11 Las Hayas, Arure and Valle Gran Rey

Walk 12 Vallehermoso to Chorros de Epina

Walk 13 Vallehermoso and Cumbre de Chijeré

Walk 14 Vallehermoso and Los Loros

Walk 15 Hermigua and Aguló

Walk 16 Alto de Garajonay to Hermigua

Walk 17 Santa Catalina and La Caleta

Walk 18 GR 132: San Sebastián to Playa de Santiago

Walk 19 GR 132: Playa de Santiago to La Dama

Walk 20 GR 132: La Dama to Arure

Walk 21 GR 132: Arure to Playa de Vallehermoso

Walk 22 GR 132: Arure to Vallehermoso

Walk 23 GR 132a: Playa de Vallehermoso to Santa Catalina

Walk 24 GR 132b: Vallehermoso to Santa Catalina

Walk 25 GR 132: Santa Catalina to San Sebastián

Walk 26 GR 131: Playa de Vallehermoso to Chipude

Walk 27 GR 131: Chipude to San Sebastián

El Hierro

Introduction

Getting there

Getting around

Accommodation

Food and drink

Tourist information offices

Walk 28 Valverde and La Caleta

Walk 29 Valverde and Puerto de La Estaca

Walk 30 Valverde, Echedo and El Mocanal

Walk 31 Valverde to La Peña

Walk 32 La Peña, San Andrés and El Mocanal

Walk 33 Puerto de La Estaca, La Cuesta and Tiñor

Walk 34 Mirador de Isora and Las Playas

Walk 35 El Pinar to Cala de Tacorón

Walk 36 El Pinar to La Restinga

Walk 37 Ermita de Los Reyes to El Pinar

Walk 38 El Pinar to Sabinosa

Walk 39 La Dehesa Circuit

Walk 40 Sabinosa to El Frontera

Walk 41 El Frontera and Los Llanillos

Walk 42 Guinea and San Andrés

Walk 43 Las Puntas and Guinea

Walk 44 GR 131: Orchilla to Fuente de Llanía

Walk 45 GR 131: Fuente de Llanía to Estaca/Tamaduste

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Topographical glossary

Appendix C Useful contacts

Seasons

Best between November and May, as the summer months are too hot, but it can sometimes be damp and misty on the higher parts; spring is especially colourful

Centres

On La Gomera: San Sebastian, Playa de Santiago, Chipude, Valle Gran Rey, Vallehermoso, Hermigua. On El Hierro: Valverde, El Pinar, La Restinga, El Frontera

Difficulty

Routes vary from short, level and easy to long, steep and strenuous; almost all routes are waymarked and signposted, and no special equipment is required

Must See

On La Gomera: Alto de Garajonay, Garajonay national park, laurisilva 'cloud forest', deep and rugged barrancos, GR131, GR132. On El Hierro: Malpaso, World Bisosphere Reserve, Camino de La Virgen, GR131, volcanic cones

January 2023

Maps - page 24

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