Easy hikes and walks around Isla De La Gomera

Laguna Grande is probably one of the best starting points on all of La Gomera to explore the upper part of the island by bike. Many people arrive here by van or car precisely to start their routes from this point and avoid some of the toughest climbs from the coast. From the recreational area, you can easily link up with routes towards San Sebastián, Valle Gran Rey, Alajeró, or the entire central ridge across the humid forest. The advantage is enormous: you start already at over 1,200 meters altitude, within the laurisilva, surrounded by practically traffic-free tracks and roads. This allows you to enjoy the long, scenic descents and high mountain routes much more without draining all the battery or your legs on endless ascents from sea level. Of course, the climate here changes radically compared to the coast. Fog is very common almost all year round and humidity is constantly present, even when it's sunny down below. It is essential to bring a good rain jacket, a serious windbreaker, and some light thermal clothing, because the feeling of cold increases considerably when you enter the more humid areas of the forest. It is also advisable to bring lights or reflective elements if you are going to ride for many hours in fog and shade. For e-bike tours, Laguna Grande is simply a spectacular base.

The Laguna Grande Recreational Area is one of the most important and visited points in the interior of La Gomera. It is located in the high zone of the island, within the Garajonay National Park, at an altitude of over 1,200 meters and surrounded by the famous laurisilva forest, considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. More than just a picnic area, Laguna Grande functions as a meeting point for hikers, cyclists, and visitors exploring the island's humid heart. Several well-known routes begin here, and it is also one of the best places to stop to rest, eat, or simply contemplate the forest amidst the fog. The climatic difference compared to the coast is enormous: while it can be hot and sunny below, here it is common to find humidity, cold, fine rain, and fog even in summer. The place also has a significant symbolic and popular charge in La Gomera. There are ancient legends related to witches and nocturnal gatherings in the central clearing of the forest, stories that are still part of the local imagination and fit perfectly with the mysterious atmosphere of the place when the fog rolls in among the trees. Today, it is one of the great nerve centers of Garajonay and a practically essential stop to understand the landscape, climate, and the more humid and green personality of La Gomera.

La Punta de San Cristóbal marks one of the most characteristic coastal extremities of San Sebastián de La Gomera. This volcanic and rocky area visually separates the port and the capital from the cliffs open to the Atlantic, offering very wide views over the sea and the south coast of the island. The landscape combines dark volcanic rock, constant waves, and a rather wild feel despite being very close to the urban center. It is a very pleasant place to stop for a while, especially at sunset, when the light falls on the cliffs and the port of San Sebastián. From here, the typical contrast of La Gomera between abrupt nature and small urban areas nestled between ravines and mountains can also be appreciated.

In the heart of the Garajonay National Park, this recreational area is one of the most magical corners of La Gomera. Surrounded by laurel forest, mist, and moss-covered trees, it feels like a scene frozen in time. Ideal for taking a break on the route, having a snack, or simply listening to the silence of the forest as the light shifts through the mist. A classic for cyclists and hikers seeking the island's most humid, green, and mysterious side.

Faro de San Cristóbal This lighthouse marks the maritime entrance to San Sebastián and for decades was one of the first visual references for ships arriving from Tenerife or from longer Atlantic routes. What's curious is the contrast between the current calm of the promenade and the strategic importance this port had for Canarian navigation. Very close to here, Christopher Columbus passed by before setting off for America in 1492, making San Sebastián one of the last European points linked to that historic journey. At sunset, with the ferry entering the port and El Teide appearing in the background on clear days, the area has a very special atmosphere.

anyone looking for quite comfortable and joint-friendly paths - amidst all the steep trails of La Gomera - will find them here - and "incidentally" there is also the island's "roof"... an area for relaxation...

Benches are rare in the national park, and this one offers a very nice view, except when the wind is blowing northeast 😉

Unfortunately, it's not drinking water, like the springs in Epina. I'm also not sure where the water comes from; it's probably a fake spring… Still, it's nice to look at.