Walking on La Gomera
£13.00
70 long and short walks and 6 car tours
by Noel Rochford with Jan Kostura
This new 9th edition of Southern Tenerife and La Gomera has been carefully revised on the ground just prior to publication; for instance, it includes a map of the devastating fire damage on the cumbre dorsal in Tenerife.
We are pleased to have the collaboration of Jan Kostura on this new edition. He was on Tenerife during the fires and on Gomera subsequently, and he guides on both islands a couple of times a year. Thanks to him the Guergues walk, which was closed to walkers illegally, has been replaced by a new but similar route further north.
The maps were redrawn using OpenStreetMap source material with GPS tracking for the 8th edition. The printed maps show waypoints, and free downloadable GPS tracks are available for all the walks. Colour coding on the Contents page enables you to see at a glance the grading of various walks.
★★★★★ amazon review ‘Always buy Sunflower books for our guides wherever we go because the maps and the descriptions are always accurate and informative.‘ Amazon Customer
Printed book: £15.99 / PDF ebook: £13.00
This book is for those staying on La Gomera or in the south of Tenerife (within easy reach of the Gomera ferry). Since the two islands are just a 35-minute ferry ride apart, the book covers walks and tours on both. There are car tours (with picnic suggestions) ranging all over both islands, with pull-out touring maps and plans for the larger conurbations.
Walks are described throughout the whole of La Gomera, while for Tenerife there are walks in the south and west. All walks are illustrated with 1:50,000 topo maps based on OpenStreet mapping. GPS tracks are available for all the walks, and there are satnav coordinates to the starting points. All ‘official’ signposted and waymarked government trails have been highlighted and numbered on the walking maps – a real plus: if a walker comes across a signpost for a route not fully described in Noel’s text, it can still be used as a short- (or long-!)cut. (Note: those going to Tenerife for a long walking holiday, who will be based in the south, should ideally have this book and Landscapes of Tenerife.)
Area covered: The book is divided into two parts. The major emphasis is on exploring the whole of La Gomera by car or on foot. But the Tenerife section of the book is also packed with suggestions: there are tours (from Playa de las Américas/Los Cristianos) covering the whole of Tenerife by car, as well as the best walking in Tenerife’s south and west.
The best months for walking on Tenerife and La Gomera are October to June.
For La Gomera, convenient bus services for walks run from Valle Gran Rey, Playa de Santiago and San Sebastián. For Southern Tenerife, the Playa de las Américas/Los Cristianos area makes the best centre.
for southern Tenerife: 20 long and short walks, 4 car tours covering the whole of Tenerife;
for La Gomera: 50 long and short walks, 2 car tours
152 pages + 2 touring maps (Tenerife and La Gomera); plans of Playa de las Américas/Los Cristianos (Tenerife), San Sebastián (La Gomera)
9th ed, 2024; ISBN 978-1-85691-544-0; UK retail price £15.99 / USA retail price $21.00
Table of contents:
Preface 5
Acknowledgements; Useful books 6
Getting about 7
TOURING
TOUR 1: LAS CAÑADAS AND THE NORTHWEST (TENERIFE) 9
Playa de las Américas · Vilaflor · Las Cañadas · La Orotava · Puerto de la Cruz · Icod de los Vinos · Buenavista · Punta de Teno · Masca · Santiago del Teide · Los Gigantes · San Juan · Playa de las Américas
TOUR 2: THE CUMBRE AND THE SUN-BAKED SOUTH (TENERIFE) 14
Playa de las Américas · Guía de Isora · Las Cañadas · El Portillo · Güimar · Arico · Granadilla · Playa de las Américas
TOUR 3: QUIET CORNERS OF THE NORTHEAST (TENERIFE) 17
Playa de las Américas · Tacoronte · Bajamar · Punta del Hidalgo · Cruz del Carmen · Las Carboneras · Taborno · Pico del Inglés ·La Laguna · Playa de las Américas
TOUR 4: BUCOLIC CHARMS OF THE RUGGED ANAGA (TENERIFE) 20
Playa de las Américas · Pico del Inglés · Roque Negro · El Bailadero · Chamorga · Taganana · Almáciga · Benijo · San Andrés · Igueste · Santa Cruz · Playa de las Américas
TOUR 5: LA GOMERA’S SOUTHERN LANDSCAPES 22
Valle Gran Rey · Arure · Las Hayas · Chipude · Alajeró · Playa de Santiago · San Sebastián · El Cedro · Los Roques · Laguna Grande · Valle Gran Rey
TOUR 6: LA GOMERA’S VERDANT NORTH 29
Valle Gran Rey · Las Hayas · Laguna Grande · Hermigua · Agulo · Garajonay National Park Visitors’ Centre · Vallehermoso · Arure · Valle Gran Rey
Walking 32
Grading, signposting/waymarking, maps, GPS 33
Dogs — and other nuisances 35
Weather 35
Where to stay 36
What to take 37
Country code for walkers and motorists 38
Spanish for walkers 39
Walkers’ checklist 40
Organisation of the walks 41
WALKS ON TENERIFE
1 Montaña Guaza 42
2 Roque del Conde 44
3 Barranco del Infierno 46
4 From La Escalona to Adeje 48
5 The Suárez-Topo circuit 51
6 Chavao Trail and fire-watch tower 53
7 Four walks to the Paisaje Lunar 55
8 The Guergues Trail 59
9 Barranco de Masca 61
WALKS ON LA GOMERA (n grade; see page 33)
10 Barranco de Arure 63
11 From Valle Gran Rey to Arure 65
12 From Arure to Valle Gran Rey 67
13 Taguluche circuit via the GR 132 68
14 Tough Taguluche circuit 71
15 Arure • Las Hayas • Los Granados 72
16 Jardín de Las Creces from Las Hayas 75
17 Raso de la Bruma circuit 76
18 Chipude • NS de Guadalupe • Valle Gran Rey 77
19 Circuit from Chipude via NS de Guadalupe and El Cercado 79
20 Barranco de Argaga 80
21 From Lomo del Balo to Chipude 82
22 La Fortaleza 84
23 Cruce de La Zarcita • El Cedro • Garajonay • Chipude 86
24 El Cedro circuit from Las Mimbreras 89
25 From Targa to Playa de Santiago 91
26 Barranco de Guarimiar circuit 93
27 Garajonay circuit from Imada 96
28 Barranco de Benchijigua circuit 97
29 Barranco de Azadoe circuit 100
30 Barranco de Santiago 101
31 Degollada de Peraza circuit via La Laja and Roque de Agando 103
32 Circuit from Jerduñe via Seima and the Casas de Contrera 105
33 From San Sebastián to Playa de Santiago 108
34 From Las Casetas to San Sebastián 112
35 Circuit to the Cuevas Blancas 115
36 From Hermigua to Las Casetas via Enchereda 117
37 El Palmar circuit from Hermigua 119
38 Punta San Lorenzo 120
39 El Cedro Circuit from Hermigua 121
40 From Agulo to Vallehermoso 124
41 Circuit from Agulo to the Centro de Visitantes and Mirador de Abrante 128
42 La Meseta circuit from Vallehermoso 130
43 Circuit from Vallehermoso to the Ermita Santa Clara and Playa de Vallehermoso 133
44 Presa de Meriga 136
Appendix (Tourist information, Timetables) 137
Index 142
Island maps and town plans inside back cover
Drawings of island flora 40, 50, 74, 75
Geographical names only are included here; for non-geographical entries, see Contents, page 3. A page number in italics indicates a map, in bold type a photograph, in bold italics both map and photo. All of these may be in addition to a text reference on the same page. The approximate pronunciation of village names is shown. (T) Tenerife; (G) La Gomera. For timetable index see page 145.
Adeje (T) (Ah-day-hay) 14, 22, 25, 26, 38, 39, 40,
41, 43, 145
Aguamansa (T) (Ah-gwah-mahn-sah) 22, 24
Agulo (G) (Ah-goo-loh) 15, 66, 68, 132-3, 134,
136, 137, 145
Alajeró (G) (Ah-lah-hay-roh) 60, 62, 99, 100, 102, 103, 145
Almáciga (T) (Ahl-mah-see-gah) 31, 32
Alojera (G) 70
Alto del Contadero (G) 65, 66, 94, 96-7
Anaga Peninsula (T) 14, 28, 31
Arafo (T) 27, 28
Araza (T) (Ah-rah-thah) 53, 56
Arico (T) (Ah-ree-koh) 27, 28
Arona (T) (Ah-roh-nah) 23, 36, 37, 41, 44, 145
Arure (G) (Ah-roo-ray) 60, 66, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80-81, 82, 145
Asomada ridge (G) (Ah-soh-mah-dah) 56, 57
Bajamar (T) (Bah-hah-mahr) 29, 30
Barranco (ravine, river bed) (Bah-rahn-koh)
de Agua Jilva (G) 120-1
de Argaga (G) 85, 86-7, 88
de Arure (G)60, 71, 72
de Azadoe 100, 101, 108
de Benchijigua (G) 65, 67, 100, 101, 102, 105,
106, 109, 110, 112
de Contrera (G) 113, 114, 119
de Erque (G)92, 93
de Guaranet (G) 77, 78
de Guarimiar (G) 8, 100, 102, 103, 105
de Guincho (G) 113, 114, 119
de Juel 126
de la Guancha (G) 116-7
de la Era Nueva (G) 141, 142
de la Matanza 82, 85, 88, 89
de las Aguas (T) 50, 52
de las Casas (G) 36, 37, 120-1, 126
de las Lajas (G) 64, 111, 112
de los Manantiales 82, 85, 86-7, 89, 90, 91, 96
de Masca (T) 53, 54, 55
de Monteforte (G) 125, 126, 129, 130
de Ruiz (T) 24
de Santiago (G) 24, 91, 97, 99, 109, 110
de Taguluche (G; Valle Gran Rey) 78;
(G; Hermigua) 126
del Agua (G) 74
del Ancón (T) 36, 37, 44
del Cedro (G) 129, cover; (T) 48
del Infierno (T) 5, 38-9, 39, 40, 41, 42-3
del Ingenio (G) 84, 138, 139
del Revolcadero (G) 116-7
del Rey (T) 36, 37, 44, 45
del Rincón (G) 120-1, 122
del Valle (G) 138, 139
del Valle Gran Rey (G) 72, 75, 80-1, 82
Juan de Vera 113, 114, 116-7, 118
Madre del Agua (T) 53, 55
Batán (T) (Bah-tahn) 30
Benchijigua (G) (Bane-shee-hee-gwah) 105, 106,
109, 110
Benijo (T) (Bay-nee-hoh) 31, 32
Berruga 113, 114, 115
Boca del Paso (T) 41, 42-3
Boca Tauce (T) 22, 23, 27, 48, 145
Buenavista (T) (Boo-ay-nah-bees-tah) 22, 25
Calvario (G) 60, 62
Camino Forestal de la Meseta (G) 70, 138, 139
Camino Forestal de Majona (G) 64, 120-1, 123,
124, 125, 126, 127
Campamento Madre del Agua (T)49, 50-1, 52
Candelaria (T) (Kan-day-lah-ree-ah) 29
Casa de la Seda (G) (Kah-sah day lah Say-dah) 71, 72, 145
Casas de Contrera (G)(Kah-sahs day Kon-tray-rah) 113, 114, 115, 119
Casas de Jaragán 120-1, 122, 123
Casas del Joradillo 116-7, 119
Caseta de los Noruegos 60, 65, 66, 67, 96-7, 145
Chamorga (T) (Shah-more-gah) 31, 32
Chio (T)27
Chipude (G) (She-poo-deh) 58, 60, 61, 85, 86-7, 88-9, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 96-7, 145
Chorros de Epina (G) 66, 70, 138, 140
Cruce de la Zarcita (G) 7, 67, 94, 96-7, 145
Cuevas Blancas (and Casas; G) (Koo-ay-vahs
Blahn-kahs) 121, 123, 124
Degollada (pass)
de Guajara (T) 50-1
de Peraza (G) 60, 63, 111, 113, 114, 115, 145
del Cerrillal 86-7
del Tanque (G) 111, 112
El Apartadero (G) (Ayl Ah-pahr-tah-day-roh) 92, 93
El Aserradero (T) 43
El Azadoe (G) 105, 107, 108
El Cabezo (G) 63, 102, 105, 107
El Cabrito (G) 114, 116-7, 118
El Cedro (G)(Ayl Say-droh) 60, 65, 94, 95, 96-7, 98, 129, 131
El Cercado (G)(Ayl Thair-kah-doh) 61, 85, 88, 89, 90, 91
El Guro (G) (Ayl Gu-roh) 71, 72
El Palmar (G) (Ayl Pahl-mahr) 126, 127
El Portillo (T) 24, 27
El Rumbazo (G) (Ayl Room-bah-thoh) 63, 100,
101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 110
El Sombrero (G) 61, 63
El Teide(T) 5, 7, 24, 25
El Teón (G) (Ayl Tee-ohn) 132-3, 133, 134
Embalse (reservoir) (Aym-bahl-say)
de Agulo 132-3
de Amalahuigue (G) 68, 132-3, 134
de Arure 61, 78, 80
de la Encantadora (G) 138, 139, 140
de los Tiles 129, 131
Enchereda (G) (En-shay-ray-dah) 120, 121, 124,
125, 126
Epina (G) (Ay-pee-nah) 66, 70, 138, 140
Ermita (chapel) (Ehr-mee-tah)
de las Nieves (G)60, 62, 63, 111, 112
de los Reyes (G) 72
de San Juan (G, Benchijigua) 105, 106, 109;
(G: Hermigua) 129, 131
del Santo (G) see under Mirador
Nuestra Señora de Coromoto (G) 141, 142-3
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (G) 85, 86, 88, 89
Nuestra Señora de Lourdes (G) 96-7, 98
Santa Clara (G) 141, 143
Virgen del Buen Viaje (G)77, 78, 78-9
Fasnia (T) (Fahs-nya) 28
Forestal Park (T) 27, 28
Garachico (T) (Gah-rah-she-koh) 25
Garajonay National Park (G) 59, 65, 66, 68, 94,
96-7, 104; mountain: 66, 94-5, 96-7, 104
Gerián (G) (Jeh-ree-ahn) 85, 89
Granadilla (T) (Grah-nah-deel-yah) 27, 28
Guarimiar (G) (Goo-ahr-ee-mee-ahr) 100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 108
Guía de Isora (T) (Gee-ah day Ee-so-rah) 27
Güimar (T)(Gwee-mahr) 27, 28
Hermigua (G) (Air-mee-gah) 66, 67, 125, 126, 127, 129, 130, 131, 145, cover
Icod de los Vinos (T) (Ee-kod day lohs Bee-nohs) 21, 25
Ifonche (T)(Ee-fohn-shay) 22, 23, 41, 42-3, 44
Igualero (G) 62, 104
Igueste (T) (Ee-gwes-tay) 31, 32
Imada (G) (Ee-mah-dah) 62, 100, 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 145
Jardín de las Creces (G) 63, 66, 70, 82, 83, 84, 138, 139
Jerduñe (G)(Hair-doon-yay) 113, 114, 115, 145
Juego de Bolas 68, 132-3, 134, 136, 137
La Caldera (T) 22, 24
La Calera (G) (Lah Kah-lay-rah) 72, 73, 74, 75, 86-7, 145
La Crucita (T) 27, 28
La Escalona (T)(Lah Es-kah-loh-nah) 23, 41, 42, 42-3, 145
La Fortaleza (G) 60, 88-9, 90, 92-3, 93
La Gerode (G) 120-1
La Laguna (T) (Lah Lah-goo-nah) 29, 31
La Laja (G) (Lah Lah-hah) 111, 112
La Mérica (G) 72, 73, 74, 75
La Meseta (G) 66, 138, 139
La Orotava (T) (Lah Oh-roh-tah-vah) 22, 24
La Palmita (G) (Lah Pahl-mee-tah) 136, 137
La Vizcaína (G)(Lah Bees-kay-ee-nah) 81, 82,
83, 85, 86-7, 90, 91
Laguna Grande (G)60, 65, 96-7
Las Bodegas (T) (Lahs Boh-day-gahs) 32
Las Cañadas (National Park, Visitors’ Centre, Parador, T) 5, 14, 17, 22, 23, 27, 48, 49, 50-1, 52, 145
Las Canteras (T) (Lahs Kahn-tay-rahs) 30, 31
Las Carboneras (T) (lahs Kahr-boh-nay-rahs) 29, 30
Las Casetas (G) 64, 120-1, 123, 125, 126, 145
Las Hayas (G) (Lahs Aie-ahs) 60, 61, 65, 66, 80,
81, 82, 83, 84, 138, 139, 145
Las Lajas (T) 22, 23
Las Mimbreras (G) 65, 95, 96-7, 98
Las Rosas (G) (Lahs Roh-sahs) 68, 132-3, 134
Lo del Gato (G) (Lo dayl Gah-toh) 109, 110
Lomo Blanco (T) 23, 145
Lomo del Balo (G) (Loh-moh dayl Bah-loh) 82, 90, 91
Los Aceviños (G) (Lohs Ah-say-been-yohs) 95, 96-7
Los Azulejos (T) 23
Los Carrizales (T) 22, 26, 56
Los Cristianos (T) (Lohs Krees-t’yan-ohs) 5, 9, 13, 35, 145
town plan touring map
Los Descansaderos (G) (Lohs Dehs-kan-sah-day-rohs) 82, 90, 91
Los Gigantes (T) (Lohs Hee-gahn-tays) 22, 26,
145
Los Granados (G ) (Lohs Grah-nah-dohs) 80, 81, 82, 145
Los Manantiales (G)(Lohs Mahn-ahn-tee-ahl-ays) 96-7
Los Pedregales (T) 26, 29
Los Roques (G) 60, 65, 66, 67, 111, 120-1
Los Silos (T) (Lohs See-lohs) 25
Masca (T) (Mahs-kah) 5, 22, 26, 53, 54
Mirador (viewpoint) (Mee-rah-door)
Acequía Larga (T) 39, 40
Buenavista (G) 140, 141, 143
Chimague and Chipeque 28
Cruz del Carmen (T) 29, 31
de Abrante (G)68, 134, 136, 137
de Agulo (G) 136, 137
de Baracán 26
de Cherfe 26
de Igualero (G) 62
de La Laja (G) 111, 112
de las Chamucadas (T) 32
de los Manaderos (G) 64, 120-1, 126
de San Pedro (T) 24
de Tajaque (G) 65
del Drago (G) 62
El Bailadero (G) 65, 67; (T) 31
El Palmarejo (G) 60
El Rejo (G) 65, 67
Ermita del Santo (G) 60, 66, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79
La Tarta (T) 27
Las Narices del Teide (T) 27, 46-7, 48
Minas de San José (T) 23
Monte Los Frailes (T) 27, 28
Pico del Inglés (T) 29, 31
Piedra la Rosa (T) 24
Pino Gordo (T) 23
Rosa de las Piedras (G) 66, 68, 132-3
Tabonal (T) 23
Montaña (mountain)
de Guajara (T) 22, 27, 48, 50-1
del Cedro (T) 47, 48
Guaza (T) 33, 35
Monteforte (G, Hermigua) 125, 126, 129, 130, cover
Paisaje Lunar (Los Escurriales; T) 5, 10-1, 49, 50-1, 51, 52
Pajarito (G) 60, 65, 67, 100, 101, 102, 104, 145
Pastrana (G)(Pahs-trah-nah) 60, 63, 105, 106,
109, 110
Pavón (G)(Pah-bohn) 2, 92, 93
Pico Viejo (T) 27, 47
Piedras Amarillas (T)22, 23, 27, 50-1
Pista Madre del Agua (T) 23, 49, 50-1, 52
Playa (beach) (Ply-yah)
de la Caleta (G) 125, 126, 127, 128
de la Guancha (G) 116-7
de Masca 53, 55
de Vallehermoso (G) 69, 141, 143
del Cabrito (G) 116-7, 117
Playa de las Américas (T) (Ply-yah day lahs Ah-may-ree-kahs) 9, 13, 22, 26, 27, 29, 145
town plan touring map
Playa de Santiago (G) (Ply-yah day Sahn-tee-ah-goh)
60, 62, 99, 100, 109, 110, 113, 114, 116-7, 119, 145
Presa (reservoir) (Pray-sah)
de los Gallos (G) 70, 84, 138
de Mériga (G) 66, 68, 144
Puerto de la Cruz (T) (Poo-air-toh day lah Krooth) 22, 24, 145
Punta (point) (Poon-tah)
de Teno (T) 22, 25
San Lorenzo (G) 128
Punta del Hidalgo (T) (Poon-tah dayl Ee-dahl-goh)
29, 30
Raso de la Bruma (G) 66, 70, 82, 84
Reventón Oscuro (G) 65, 96-7, 98
River, River bed see Barranco
Roque (rock) (Roh-kay)
Carmona (G) 7
Chinchado (T) 24
Roque de Abache 56, 57
de Agando (G) 65, 67, 96, 101, 102, 106, 109, 110, 112, 145
de las Animas (T) 32
de la Zarcita (G) 96-7
de Ojila (G) 96-7
de San Pedro (G) 129, 131, cover
de Taborno (T) 29, 30
del Conde (T) 36, 37, 44, 45
El Cano (G) 69, 132-3, 135, 139, 142
Imoque (T) 33, 42-3, 44, 45
Roque de las Bodegas (T) 20
Roque Negro (T) 31, 32
Roques (rocks) (roh-kays); see also Los Roques
de García (T) 23, 24
del Cedro (T) 46-7, 48
Rosa de las Piedras (G)(Roh-sah day lahs Pee-ay-drahs) 68, 132-3, 134
San Andrés (T) (Sahn Ahn-drays) 31, 32
San Juan de la Rambla (T) (San Hu-an day lah Rahm-blah) 22, 24, 26
San Sebastián (G) (Sahn Say-bahs-t’yan) 7, 15, 25, 60, 64, 116, 117, 118, 120-1, 145
town plan touring map
Santa Cruz (T) (Sahn-tah crooth) 14, 28, 29, 31, 32, 145
Santiago del Teide (T) (Sahn-tee-ah-goh dayl Tay-ee-day) 22, 26
Seima (G) (Say-ee-mah) 113, 114, 119
Taborno (T) (Tah-bohr-noh) 29, 30
Tacalcuse (G) 113, 114, 115
Taco (G) (Tah-koh) 63, 99, 110
Tacoronte (T) (Tah-koh-rohn-tay) 29, 30
Taganana (T) (Tah-gah-nah-nah) 31, 32
Taguluche (Tah-goo-loo-chay) (G) 1, 61, 69, 70, 74, 75, 76, 78, 78-9
Tamagarda (G) (Tah-mah-gahr-dah) 68, 143
Tamaimo (T) (Tah-my-moh) 26
Targa (G) (Tahr-gah) 60, 63, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103
Tegueste (T) (Tay-gways-tay) 30, 31
Tejina (T) (Tay-hee-nah) 30
Teno Alto (T) (Tay-noh Ahl-toh) 26
Valle Gran Rey (G) (Bahl-yay Grahn Ray) 9, 13, 15, 19, 60, 65, 66, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 85, 86-7, 145
Vallehermoso (G) (Bahl-yay-hair-moh-soh) 58, 66, 69, 84, 132-3, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 143, 145
Vento (T) (Ben-toh) 36, 37, 44
Vilaflor (T) (Bee-lah-floor) 22, 23, 49, 50-1, 52, 145
Vueltas (G) 73, 75, 145
La Gomera and Southern Tenerife, 9th edition (January 2024); updated 25/01/24
Updates for walks and car tours (drives) on La Gomera and in the south of Tenerife given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book you can “upgrade” to the latest edition at half price.)
Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update.
Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes.
If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you.
Please send information, preferably by e-mail, to info@sunflowerbooks.co.uk
LA GOMERA – GENERAL: The buses run to service the ferries, so mean mid-morning starts from SS, and either early morning (i.e. pre-breakfast!!) or afternoon starts from VGR or PDS. So, planning walks in the middle of the island is difficult, especially if you are not in a large party to fund taxis. I have also read of buses being full, so walkers stranded away from base. It is a good idea to aim for bus to start then walk to base or circular walks for motorists – which you do largely to be fair. My suggestions would be:
• Walks ending in VGR valley could easily be followed downhill into town via the road in 30-75 minutes if no buses around, with a few bars along the way (walks 15, 18, 21).
• Walk 23 can easily be turned into a circuit by following GR131 from Garajonay to Cruce De La Zarcita was a similar time as scheduled to Chipude.
• Walks ending in PDS can be tackled by bus by taking SS bus to Peraza and following GR131 west to, for example, Roque Agando walk 30 (approx. 1 hour). Walks scheduled from Pajarito are possible by extending the walk for Peraza to Casa Olsen instead, but this would make it around 1 hr 45mins. At least PR131 is very well signed.
• Apparently there is a bus route 8 from VGR to Vallehermoso which isn’t mentioned in your book.
(User, 5/20)
Walk 22: Really fantastic. Page 96 on book after 3hrs 55mins says to take a path through the scrub – this is now inaccessible unless you are armed with a machete. Go left and after 50m go right – clearly marked ‘Chippude’ – and you’re back on the route. (User, 1/24)
Walk 33: A belter of a walk. All the route description is still correct. It is still largely well signposted. Though at waypoint 5 I could not find a signpost indicating San Sebastian. However, when you reach waypoint 2 you are also walking on the GR132 and red posts indicating kilometres covered – starting with 7kms appear on the route plus red/white signs on stones (looking fresh) at intervals, reminiscent of France. (User, 1/24)
Walk 40: Walked in reverse. Tough at beginning and end; book directions spot on. Big zig zags up the back to mirador. Glass floor for those wishing to lose weight. Scary descent on the rock face back to Agulo – hard volcanic rock which was quite punishing. (User, 1/24)
GPS files for use with Walking in Southern Tenerife and La Gomera:
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