Few places in the world have the natural wealth
of this circular volcanic island, highlighted
by its singular prehistoric character. The
variety and contrasts of the Gomera landscape
are surprising.
After El Hierro, La Gomera is the smallest
of the Canary Islands, with a surface area
of 378 square kilometres, approximately 10
percent of which is covered by the Garajonay
National Park which has been declared a Mankind
Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Island, in the
centre of the westernmost part of the Canary
Islands, between La Palma, El Hierro and Tenerife,
is the ideal setting for outdoor activities
throughout the year.
A walk though charming little villages will
take you through the rugged terrain, with
surprises in store around every bend in the
road. The natural wealth of the whole Island
is so impressive that it has, in fact, won
the highest possible distinction as a protected
natural space.
The Garajonay National
Park
Benign temperatures make it easy to enjoy
activities like rural tourism or trekking.
La Gomera is a wonder of countless beautiful
tracks and trails.
And the trade winds, which bring welcome rains,
have generated a lush vegetation of interesting
native species that in turn encourage the
formation of clouds that give its forests
a certain other worldly charm.
The Gomera scenery is surprisingly varied
and full of contrasts; impressive gorges,
grand rock monoliths, marvellous palm groves
and the Garajonay National Park, which offers
an unprecedented ecological treasure of crystal
clear waters and lush laurel forests.
There is such a variety of microclimates that
just a few kilometres away in the south west
of the Island, temperatures are pleasantly
temperate, reaching 20ºC in winter and 29ºC
in summer.
All this lush ambience has led to the creation
of some beautiful residential and tourist
areas, where peace and calm prevail. La Gomera
is genuine and a special effort has been made
to conserve its natural treasures as seen
in the multitude of protected areas: Garajonay,
Benchijigua Integral Nature Reserve, Puntallana
Special Nature Reserve, Majona Nature Park,
Valle Gran Rey Rural Park, the natural monuments
of Los Organos, Roque Cano, Roque Blanco,
La Fortaleza, Barranco del Cabrito, La Caldera,
El Lomo del Carreton and Los Roques, Orone
Protected Landscape as well as places of scientific
interest like Alajero Cliffs, Charco del Conde
and Charco del Cieno.
La Gomera`s deep-rooted customs and history
should be savoured slowly: stopping in the
villages, talking to the people, understanding
the typical whistles the locals use to chat
from one side of the gorge to another, trying
the culinary specialities or losing yourself
to the rhythm of the dance of the drums. There
are several spectacular routes for doing this:
El Cedro (The Cedar) route, the cheese route,
La Aguililla route (Egyptian vulture), the
Valley to Valley route, Argodey route, or
the Los Roques route. ^Top
The natural monuments
of Los Órganos
A typical product of La Gomera is 'Guarapo',
the sap taken from the countless palm trees
dotted around the Island which is cooked to
make 'palm honey' . The cultural centres include
the Juego de Bolas Interpretation Centre devoted
to promoting its culture and natural environment.
The Colon Museum, with an excellent collection
of pre-Hispanic pottery, is another place
that should not be missed.
The most important rock formation on the Island,
Los Órganos Natural Monument, is in the borough
of Vallehermoso in the north. This is an impressive
cliff that rises up out of the sea, and has
been eroded into the form of towering parallel
tubes looking like a classical church organ,
thus giving the monument its name. El Cedro
National Park deserves special mention as
a magnificent example of a cool shaded laurel
forest, criss-crossed by cold clear streams,
that allows you to forget the sun shining
outside. ^Top This
section of the e-guide has yet to be completed,
we need your help, post your comments of La
Gomera on the messageboard, also if you have
any pictures then send them through to us
by clicking
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