GR 132 Costas de La Gomera

La Gomera is small in size yet immense in character. Its deep barrancos, ridges and almost vertical cliffs are the result of millions of years of erosion acting upon ancient volcanic materials. That imprint of time is clearly visible along the GR 132, a circular trail that follows the coastal fringe and reveals the island from the perspective of the sea, linking natural and cultural landscapes with remarkable continuity. Starting in San Sebastián de La Gomera, the route traces the island’s perimeter, crossing barrancos that function both as corridors of life and natural boundaries. The trail alternates constant ascents and descents, making it a demanding yet highly rewarding journey: within just a few kilometres, terraced hillsides, small hamlets, natural viewpoints and stretches of dramatic coastline unfold in succession. Along the way, a varied plant mosaic appears, shaped by altitude, orientation and the influence of the trade winds. In the northern and northeastern sectors, pine forest, palm groves and areas of fayal–brezal combine, with frequent views towards Tenerife and the outline of Mount Teide on clear days. In other sections, shaded slopes become more humid and enclosed, while open hillsides are drier and sunlit, reinforcing the island’s characteristic climatic contrasts. The GR 132 is not only about nature. It also crosses historic agricultural landscapes, where terraces climb steep slopes and fertile barranco floors once concentrated orchards and crops. Traditional paths, village squares and heritage elements reflect how local communities adapted to a rugged yet productive territory, while some coastal enclaves preserve traces of former infrastructures linked to maritime activity and agricultural export. In the northwest, the route overlooks some of La Gomera’s most dramatic scenery, with cliffs, roques and intensely eroded slopes. Towards the south, the atmosphere becomes more open and luminous, dominated by coastal scrub and deep ravines with continuous views over the Atlantic. Overall, the trail offers a comprehensive reading of the island: geology, vegetation, rural memory and maritime panoramas combine in a route that reveals La Gomera in all its diversity. The GR 132 is, ultimately, a full circumnavigation on foot along the island’s most expressive edge — a long and demanding journey, yet profoundly revealing for understanding La Gomera’s landscape from its shores.