La Vizcaína - El Cercado - La Vizcaína

This circular route, starting and ending in La Vizcaína, in the municipality of Valle Gran Rey, offers a journey through the mid-mountain landscapes of western La Gomera, combining living rural settlements, humid forests and ancient traditional paths that have connected the area’s hamlets for centuries. The trail begins in La Vizcaína, a small agricultural enclave that still preserves terraced fields, traditional architecture and dry-stone walls. From here, the route ascends gradually towards El Cercado, a village renowned for its wheel-free artisanal pottery, an ancestral craft that remains alive today thanks to the work of local craftswomen. Passing through this village also provides open views towards the Garajonay massif. The ascent is fairly steep, so good physical fitness, no fear of heights, and avoiding the route on rainy or windy days are recommended. The path then continues towards Las Hayas, a hamlet located at a higher elevation and surrounded by the boundary of Garajonay National Park. This section runs through fayal-brezal woodland and ecological transition zones, with a cool and humid atmosphere for much of the year. Las Hayas is also known for its rural hospitality and for being a starting point for numerous routes into the heart of the laurel forest. From Las Hayas, the trail continues towards the area of Los Descansaderos, where open spaces remain that once served as resting and passage points for walkers, shepherds and pack animals. This section revives the spirit of ethnographic hiking, passing through threshing floors, rural houses, historic paths and native vegetation. The final descent leads back to La Vizcaína, completing a perfect loop for discovering the rural, forest and human heritage of the island’s western region. This route is ideal for hikers seeking a varied, culturally enriching itinerary with moderate difficulty, suitable throughout the year and offering multiple connections with nearby trails.