National Park of Garajonay in La Gomera

The Garajonay National Park of La Gomera has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to visit in La Gomera.

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It can be accessed from San Sebastián de La Gomera, in the upper part of the park you can visit several very interesting viewpoints and then access both the south and north and even the west of the island. One of the key points at the top of the park is La Laguna Grande, a rest area not to be missed.

La Gomera is a volcano that has been inactive since the Tertiary period, and marks the entire orography of the island, forming a large plateau from which ravines descend towards the coasts of La Gomera, at the top of which is the Garajonay National Park. The National Park is wooded, humid and lush. The ravines full of leafy trees receive the humid trade winds, creating mist and intense humidity.

Some of the viewpoints in the Garajonay National Park are: El rejo, Igualero and Chipude.

The forests are very dense and dark with intense humidity, abundant mosses and lichens as well as low light plants. There are hardly any streams in spite of the intense humidity of the forest.Garajonay National Park in La Gomera
Hiking in the Garajonay Park

The island of La Gomera is full of trails that cross it from side to side, it is important to take into account the high degree of humidity and the possibility of ever present rains. The trails that cross the island of La Gomera usually last 1 day, but it is important to bear in mind that it is not possible to camp inside the park or light any kind of fire. It is advisable to take some warm clothes with you to be forewarned.

Hermigua

The village of Hermigua hangs over a valley full of banana trees. The village's water supply comes from El Cedro and the Garajonay National Park. It is situated about 20 km from San Sebastian.

Since the time of the conquest of the island by the Spaniards, the village has always had good conditions for the cultivation of sugar cane, its maximum exploitation in those times. In 1690 and 1762 there were several popular revolts against the lords of the island because of the infamous working conditions that the inhabitants of Hermigua were subjected to, these revolts were strongly repressed by the militias. Part of the municipality of Hermigua is integrated in the National Park of Garajonay, where the ravines of El Cedro and Liria can be found. In El Cedro we can find most of the flora of the park, it is exuberant and spectacular, there is also a waterfall called La Boca del Chorro where we can enjoy its beauty.

Around Hermigua there is another Natural Park, the so-called Parque Natural de la Majona, which borders San Sebastián from the coastal cliffs to the gates of the Garajonay National Park.

There is also an interesting cultural offer in the Ethnographic Museum in La Hoyeta. Here you can learn about the origins of the island and the Canary Islands, as well as see some of the local handicrafts made from the trunk of the palm tree.

This part of the island of La Gomera is undoubtedly endearing and it is extraordinary to be able to enjoy a place as unique and beautiful as this. Remember if you visit the Canary Islands, visit La Gomera and in particular the Garajonay National Park.