Hiking in the heart of La Gomera

Located in the municipality of Hermigua, this route crosses a valley that captures the clouds drawn over by the trade winds. The high level of humidity makes the area leafier, with groupings of plants such as brezal de crestería, from the Erica genus, the fire tree Morella faya and the laurel forest. The wide variety of trees endemic to Garajonay stands out, such as Persea indica, Laurus nobilis and Ocotea foetens, or til. This trek around the countryside of La Gomera ends at Chorro del Cedro, a natural 150-metre high waterfall which feeds into the reservoirs of the agricultural valley of Hermigua all year round.

A laurissilva forest path to a singular chapel

A route of six kilometres with an average incline of 551 metres, the itinerary to El Cedro combines prepared paths and forest trails on a walk that last around three and a half hours. Aside from its botanical and ethnographic value, the last stretch of the hike leads to a chapel with a singular history. Built in 1935 by an English governess who worked for a wealthy family, the festival held here on the last Sunday of August was the most important one on the island. In 1984, the pilgrimage or “romería” turned into a popular lunch and procession.

Alto de Garajonay. Observación de estrellas en La Gomera

Parque Nacional de Garajonay, en La Gomera

Sustainability

Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
Use the waste- paper baskets and, insofar as possible, separate and place your recycling waste in the appropriate containers.
Do not throw any waste or other objects into the sea.
Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
In natural spaces and at viewpoints, do not leave the trail or the spaces designated for people to be in.
Respect and look after the area's historic and cultural heritage, along with the public furniture and items for visitors, such as information panels or telescopes and binoculars.