Degollada de Peraza- Chipude

This second stage of the GR-131 starts at the historic Degollada de Peraza viewpoint and ends in the quiet village of Chipude after covering 16.6 kilometres through some of the most striking landscapes on the island. From the very first climbs, the trail enters Garajonay National Park, crossing spectacular rock formations and dense laurel forests that surround hikers in an atmosphere of humidity, mist and deep green vegetation. Iconic landmarks such as Roque Agando and the silhouette of the Fortaleza of Chipude define the character of this stage, rich in biodiversity and legend. Along the route, walkers pass places such as the Chapel of Our Lady of Las Nieves, the Mirador de los Roques and Alto de Garajonay, the highest point on the island at 1,487 metres above sea level. As altitude is gained, the landscape changes progressively: heather gives way to fayal-brezal and finally to dense laurel forest, carpeting ravines and slopes with mosses, lichens and climbing plants. Panoramic views over the Benchijigua and Erque ravines, together with viewpoints such as Tajaqué and Igualero, offer unforgettable moments, especially on clear days. This stage is also a journey through La Gomera’s natural and cultural memory. The monument to the victims of the 1984 wildfire and the visible forest regeneration efforts following the 2012 fire highlight the fragility of the island’s ecosystems and the commitment to their conservation. Alto de Garajonay, besides being a strategic viewpoint, contains archaeological remains linked to ancient aboriginal rituals, revealing the ancestral bond between the Gomeros and this landscape. The final part descends gently towards the south, passing through the hamlet of Igualero, where a monument to the Silbo Gomero and a small chapel dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi stand. From here, the trail skirts the Erque ravine and passes beneath the imposing Fortaleza, a sacred place for the island’s original inhabitants. After leaving the hamlet of Pavón behind, the route crosses ravines, palm groves and cultivated land before reaching Chipude, where this impressive stage comes to an end.