Garajonay National Park

Garajonay National Park is a protected upland area on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain, notable for its dense laurel (laurisilva) forests. The park is internationally recognized for preserving relict vegetation from the Tertiary period and for its biodiversity.

Trails wind through extensive stands of evergreen laurel woodland, moss-draped trees and humid ravines, offering a network of routes for hiking and nature observation. The park includes the island’s central highlands and several viewpoints that provide extensive island panoramas.

The park’s laurisilva is a living remnant of a much older subtropical forest and served as the primary reason for UNESCO World Heritage inscription. Management focuses on habitat protection, visitor access via marked trails and scientific monitoring of native species.

Garajonay occupies the mountainous interior of La Gomera in the Canary Islands and dominates the island’s central ridge; access is commonly from the island’s small towns and coastal ports, with trails leading up into the park’s upland zones.

• UNESCO status and size: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its relic laurel forests and high biodiversity; the park covers roughly 40 square kilometers.

What to See #

• Alto de Garajonay: High-altitude summit at about 1,487 meters that provides panoramic views across La Gomera and the other Canary Islands on clear days.
• Laurisilva forest: Well-preserved laurel forest remnants that represent the island's laurisilva vegetation and are a principal reason for the park's UNESCO listing.