Isla de la Gomera Off The Beaten Path

Valle Gran Rey is the main destination on La Gomera, and has three main beaches. The Charco del Conde's Baby Beach is a small shallow bay perfect for toddlers, and also suitable for elderlies too. A little further from there lies the wild and rugged naturist beach, Playa del Ingles. This beach can be dangerous for swimming especially in winter.

La Gomera Gecko (Tarentola gomerensis), also known as Perenquén in Canary Islands, is a species of lizard in the Gekkonidae family. It is endemic to Spain.

Its natural habitats are temperate shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, rocky shores, pastureland, plantations , rural gardens, and urban areas (wikipedia)

Although a considerable amount of work has been done signposting paths, La Gomera is still pretty wild. Walking and hiking can be relatively strenuous on account of the terrain. Some fairly gentle walks can be found, however. Take to the hills or visit the National Forest on foot! It can be hot and dry - take plenty of water with you and good protection against the sun, particularly in summer. On the other hand higher in the forest it is likely to be cool and during the winter months some will find it cold and damp. It does rain sometimes and can be torrential. Carry suitable clothing. On longer walks you will be glad of your own provisions - not many restaurants, cafes or snack bars away from the towns.
A useful guide is suggested under "General Tips."

Alltogether la Gomera is off the beaten path.I hope this not spreads!How about a horse ride among the palm trees?Or the breathtaking view from Corros d'Epina ?(drinking coffe beside the large windows of the restaurant located there).Or maybe going there in winter while the rest world is freezing (OK not ALL of it )

I really enjoyed the ambiance of the damp atmospheric ancient laurel tree forest. In the humid forest we saw also a lot of large ferns.
When the first humans came to la Gomera most of the island was covered with laurel trees, but nowadays only a small upland area is left. This area is protected in the National Park of Garajonay since 1978 and registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The most amazing of our walk in the ancient forest in the National Park of Garajonay were the very old moss cloaked trees with the most fantastic forms, standing in the swirling mist. There are sixteen of varieties of laurel trees, but there are also Canary willows and Canary holly.
The ancient laurel forest is like a forest from another world of time. Around 2 million years ago, when ice ages wiped out, laurel forest covered most of the Mediterranean regions.
Climate changes had less effects on the Canaries, allowing remnants of this dense forest to survive on islands like la Gomera.

We parked our car at the Alto de Contadero and walked from there to the Ermita Nuestra Senora de Lourdes. The walk through the ancient forest with moss cloaked laurel trees was like a fairy tale, especially when it became more and more cloudy and misty, walking to the north. Here the Atlantic tradewinds, barrelling against the island and condensing into clouds, cause mist and enough moisture. This moisture produces a dense, light blocking canopy and encouraging moss and liches to grow abundantly. But you need also to take your rain coat.

The most outstanding attraction of La Gomera is the Parque National de Garajonay, especially the world's most ancient forests of moss cloaked laurel trees.
The day before we started our walks, we visited first the Centro de Visitantes del Parque Nacional de Garajonay at the other side of the island in the north, outside the park. The centre is near Las Rosas on the way from Hermigua to Vallehermoso. In the centre we saw an exhibition of the flora, fauna and geology of la Gomera. There is also a small botanic garden.
Opening hours 9.30 am till 4.30 pm, free entrance. Closed at mondays.