Alajeró - Playa de Santiago

This route descends from the village of Alajeró, located in the mid-altitude area of southern La Gomera, down to the coast at Playa de Santiago, one of the sunniest and most visited coastal enclaves on the island. It is a linear route, largely downhill, following ancient traditional paths through cultivated fields, eroded ravines and rural villages with a strong local identity. Along this route, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Cheese and Pastoralism Interpretation Centre. The trail starts in Alajeró, the municipal capital and a living example of traditional architecture in southern La Gomera. As the route heads south, the landscape becomes drier and sunnier, with wide views over volcanic hills and the Atlantic Ocean. The first stop is the hamlet of Targa, where terraced crops, palm groves and heritage elements linked to traditional agricultural life are still preserved. From Targa, the route follows the section known as El Repecho, an old path that descends along the island’s southern slope between deep ravines and volcanic rock hillsides, with zigzag sections that reveal the trail’s ancestral layout. This stretch offers impressive views over Playa de Santiago and the sea, with typically xerophilous vegetation such as tabaibas, cardones and balos. The route ends in Playa de Santiago, a coastal settlement that combines fishing traditions with tourist services. This final point provides an excellent opportunity to rest by the sea, enjoy local gastronomy or connect with other routes that explore the coastline and nearby ravines. This trail is ideal for those seeking a comfortable downhill experience, with strong landscape contrasts, traditional villages and a finish by the ocean. It is also perfectly suited to be walked in the opposite direction for those looking for a greater physical challenge.