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La Gomera, Canary Islands

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B&B, Hotels and Hostels in La Gomera, Canary Islands

 

  
 

Photo by Víctor Ovies

 

  

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  La Gomera is the second smallest island of the Canary Islands. The island is of volcanic origin and roughly circular, about 15 miles in diameter and rising to nearly 5000 feet at the central peak of Garajonay. It is shaped rather like half of a peeled orange from which the segments have been parted, leaving deep ravines or barrancos which are coated, like icing, with laurisilva - or laurel rain forest.

 The central mountains catch the moisture from the trade wind clouds and create a jungle climate rich in vegetation high in the cooler air. The upper reaches of this densely wooded region are almost permanently shrouded in cloud and swirling mist, which has created lush and diverse vegetation. This is the Garajonay National Park  La Gomera's outstanding natural attraction. As many as 400 species of flora flourish in this Unesco World-Heritage-listed place. The slopes are criss-crossed by paths, presenting varying levels of challenge to walkers, and stunning views to reward the energetic. There are hiking trails throughout the park, mostly north-south, and its possible to hike from coast to coast in a day.

 

  
 

 

 
 

 

The Gomerans have a unique way of communicating across the barrancos (valleys) by an amazing kind of whistled speech called the Silbo. Invented by the original inhabitants of the island, the Guanches, Silbo was adopted by the Spanish settlers in the 16th century and survived after the extinction of the Guanches. When this unique medium of communication was about to die out early in the 21st century, the local government required all children to learn it in school.

Christopher Columbus made La Gomera his last port of call before crossing the Atlantic in 1492. The house in San Sebastián in which he stayed is now a tourist attraction.