La Gomera

La Gomera is a volcanic island in the Canary Islands, Spain, covering roughly 370 square kilometres and characterised by steep ravines and a central mountainous massif. Its highest point is the summit area of Garajonay at about 1,487 metres, which forms the core of a protected national park.

The island is popular for hiking on a dense network of trails that cross laurel forest, cliffs and agricultural terraces, and for towns and viewpoints that overlook the Atlantic. The national park protects humid laurisilva woodlands and is the island’s primary natural attraction for ecology-minded visitors.

Prehistoric and historic Guanche populations inhabited the island before Spanish colonisation in the 15th century; La Gomera later served as a provisioning stop for transatlantic voyages. The island retains a distinct rural culture and traditional agricultural landscapes.

La Gomera sits in the Canary archipelago to the west of mainland Africa and west of Tenerife and La Palma. Regular ferry and air connections link the island to Tenerife and other Canary Islands.

• UNESCO site: The island contains Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO-designated site that protects laurel forest that survived since the Tertiary period.
• Silbo Gomero: The local whistled language, Silbo Gomero, is a traditional communication method adapted to the island's valleys and has been recognised as cultural heritage.

What to See #

• Garajonay National Park: A laurel forest and volcanic ridge designated as a national park; the park covers a central portion of the island and preserves humid laurel (laurisilva) woodland remnants.
• San Sebastián de La Gomera: The island's capital and main port on the east coast, historically the stopover point used by Christopher Columbus in 1492.