Canary Islands Walking - La Gomera And Tenerife

Our trip begins at the reception area of Andrea's Hotel Tenerife in Los Cristianos at 5.45pm. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Tenerife Airport South (TFS) which is around 20 minutes' drive from the hotel. The latest time your flight can arrive is 4.45pm. You are free to arrive in Los Cristianos at any time before 5.45pm. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, luggage storage and bathroom facilities will be available if required at Andrea's Hotel. You may choose to stroll to the beach, which is only 450 metres away and in Los Cristianos there are lots of restaurants to choose from. Your leader will meet the group at the hotel reception at 6pm to walk to the ferry port together (15min walk, the luggage can be taken by a taxi). We will take the 6.45pm ferry to the green, verdant island of La Gomera. Docking in the small, pretty port of San Sebastian we immediately get an idea of the terrain, as impressive mountains loom up from the ocean behind the colourful town. Our hotel is located just a 5 minute walk from the port, so you will be asked to carry/wheel your own luggage.

This morning we drive up to Collada de Peraza, the start of our first walk. From here we follow the trail along a winding stone-paved path, through a variety of vegetation including aloe and asphodel, and later pines and then palms. Our first view of La Laja village is with a beautiful backdrop of the domes of Los Roques, prominent striking rock formations that are a major feature of this part of the island. We descend into the valley, ascending on the other side and arrive to the village. We then continue along a quiet rural road following the valley to Chejelipes where we meet our bus and return to San Sebastian. This afternoon is free to can explore the harbour and backstreets of the town. San Sebastian was Christopher Columbus' last stopping place before discovering the Americas, so there are several 'Columbus' sites that can be visited including the well where he drew water, his house, and the church where he prayed. In addition, San Sebastian has two beaches, a host of restaurants and bars, and narrow streets bursting with life. Today's 12 kilometre walk is expected to take around four-and-a-half hours with 300 metres of ascent and 1,000 metres of descent. We descend on stone-paved paths, unmade hillside paths and a rural road.

Today we drive to Pajarito from where we begin our walk through Garajonay National Park. We start by ascending the island's highest peak, Alto de Garajonay (1,484m), from where on a clear day we will have a splendid 360-degree view of the island. We then continue on the trail through the dense vegetation of the Laurisilva cloud forest, ancient Canaries' jungle only found on the Outer Canary Islands: La Gomera, Tenerife and La Palma. Later we reach the chapel of Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, and Barranco del Cedro a deep ravine surrounded by lush vegetation with a bubbling stream at the bottom. The trail then passes through the hamlets of El Cedro, from where we walk over the final hill to meet our bus and return to San Sebastian for the evening. Today's 10 kilometre walk is expected to take around four hours with 300 metres of ascent and 900 metres of descent. The terrain is unmade paths.