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 an 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/1476 feet 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/7.50 miles walk is expected to take around 4 hours with 300 metres/984 feet of ascent and 1,000 metres/3281 feet 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/4869ft), 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 10.5 kilometre/6.50 miles walk is expected to take around 4 hours with 300 metres/984 feet of ascent and 900 metres/2953 feet of descent. The terrain is unmade paths.

This morning we drive to the northeast of the island to Hermigua for a walk down to de la Playa Caleta. Starting from the village we ascend through rugged terrain, banana plantations and a spectacular deep gorge, after four kilometres we begin the descent towards the beach. Playa de la Caleta is one of the most beautiful beach on the island with its volcanic black sand beach. From here, we have the option to take a circular walk to Punta San Lorenzo (3 kilometres/1.90 miles, 1 hour). Alternatively, you can relax on the beach before meeting our bus and returning to San Sebastian.

Today's 10 kilometre/6.20 miles walk is expected to take around 4 hours with 400 metres/1312 feet of ascent and 600 metres/1969 feet of descent, walking on unmade hillside paths.

Today is free to relax in San Sebastian or explore more of the local area. Options include a walk along the coastal path to Cabrito Beach, a 10 kilometre/6.20 miles, 4 hours walk following the same path there and back.

Our day starts with a drive to Vallehermoso in the north of the island. This peaceful small town is surrounded by steep hills, palm trees and dry zone vegetation and is the starting place for some of La Gomera's most beautiful hiking trails. We follow a trail passing Roque Cano (a distinctive rock feature of the area), terraced fields and banana plantations to the coastal town of Agulo. Agulo was one of the island's first towns and its colonial buildings, winding streets and position directly above the sea have led to it being known as one of La Gomera's most beautiful places. On a clear day the volcanic cone of El Teide on Tenerife dominates the horizon. We spend some time exploring the town or relaxing in one of the cafes before returning to San Sebastian for the evening.

Today's 14 kilometre/8.70 miles walk is expected to take around 5.30 hours with 770 metres/2526 feet of ascent and descent. We walk on unmade hillside trails, unmade roads and a short distance on pavements.

This morning we take the ferry back to Tenerife then immediately drive up onto the slopes of the magnificent Mount Teide, whose crater we have been admiring all week from La Gomera. Passing through the fertile cultivated zone we reach the desert landscapes of the Teide National Park above the 2000 metre mark. Our picturesque circular walk across the El Teide Plateau takes us around the Roques de Garcia among many interesting lava formations. For those not wishing to walk today there is the option to go up to the summit of Teide by cable car (requires advance reservation, not included).

Later this afternoon we drive back down the mountain to the resort of San Miquel de Abona on the coast for our final night in Tenerife.

Today's 4 kilometre/2.50 miles walk is expected to take around 2 hours with an ascent and descent of around 150 metres/492 feet.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in San Miquel de Abona.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from San Miquel de Abona at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Tenerife South Airport (TFS) which is around 15 minutes' drive from the hotel.