Description
Difficulty Level
This trek is for the real hiker who is not afraid of the heights and distances!
Near to the Coasts: Challenging Trek Around La Gomera
The Near to the Coasts is an 8-day individual trek designed for experienced hikers who want to discover as much of La Gomera as possible along the coast. The route combines sections of the GR131 and GR132 with other scenic hiking trails and takes you around the island. Along the way, you will encounter significant elevation changes, longer hiking days and occasionally challenging terrain.
The journey begins on Tenerife, where you are picked up at Tenerife South Airport and travel by ferry to La Gomera. From San Sebastián de La Gomera, your trek starts along the coast. Wherever possible, the route stays close to the ocean, but due to La Gomera’s mountainous terrain, you regularly climb inland before descending towards the coast again.
The landscape changes constantly throughout the trek. You hike along small beaches and secluded bays, through palm-filled valleys and past rugged rock formations. In several places, the route climbs into the central mountains, where you follow sections of the GR131. Garajonay National Park is also part of the route, with the highest point reaching 1,478 metres.
The strength of this trek lies in the combination of coast and mountains. At times, you hike high above the ocean, while later you descend into green valleys and continue through the mountainous interior. Where the route allows, you can take a refreshing swim at one of the small beaches along the way.
You stay in small-scale accommodations, including charming casas rurales and traditional fincas. With luggage transfers included, you hike with only a light daypack.
What makes Near to the Coasts special?
✅ As close to the coast as possible: discover La Gomera via coastal trails and enjoy regular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
✅ For experienced hikers: longer hiking days and significant elevation changes make this a challenging trek.
✅ GR131 & GR132: follow sections of both long-distance trails, combined with other scenic hiking paths.
✅ Garajonay National Park: hike through the green mountain landscape and reach elevations of up to 1,478 metres.
✅ Coast and mountains: combine small beaches, palm-filled valleys and coastal trails with the rugged central mountains.
✅ Small-scale accommodation: stay in characteristic casas rurales and fincas, away from the main tourist areas.
Hiking level
The Near to the Coasts is a challenging trek designed for experienced hikers with a good level of fitness and extensive experience hiking in mountainous terrain. The combination of longer daily distances, frequent climbs and descents, and occasional narrow or rocky trails makes this a demanding route. Good sure-footedness is essential.
Included in this hiking holiday
✓ 8-day individual trek around La Gomera
✓ Overnight stays in carefully selected, small-scale accommodations
✓ Luggage transfers between accommodations
✓ Ferry crossing from Tenerife to La Gomera
✓ All necessary passenger transfers during the hiking holiday
✓ Detailed Canary-Hiking travel guide with practical information
✓ Access to the Canary-Hiking Travel App with daily itineraries, routes, GPX files and accommodation information
✓ 1 month of free use of the Canary-Hiking Komoot app from the start of your trip
- Trekking along special views
- Alto de Jarajonay
- Special valleys
- Nice beaches
- Special overnight stays
- Hiking island par excellence
- The flute on La Gomera
- Including luggage transport
1 | Arrival in San Sebastian
When you arrive at Tenerife airport, our transfer will take you to the port of Los Cristianos. The ferry will take you to La Gomera. In San Sebastián you can recover from the outward journey on the first day. San Sebastián has a nice car-free center with shops and restaurants.
2 | Coast hike
In the morning, after leaving the accommodation, you will head south along the coast towards Playa de Santiago. This side of the island is generally the sunniest side. The tour goes over a very nice part of the GR132 on La Gomera. Leave early! The journey is no less than 21 kilometers long, and although you descend along the coast, you will get quite a climb halfway through this stage.
Distance: 21 km
Height difference: +940 up / -940 down
3 | Up the island
Day two of this trek is uphill to Chipude, Away from the coast! You walk through the beautiful valleys with its terraces to eventually end up in the picturesque town. To the top of La Gomera, Alto de Garajonay. Still, there are considerable altimeters here.
Distance: 20 km
Height difference: +1530 up / -470 down
4 | The King’s Valley – Valle Gran Rey
This varied stage takes you from the mountain village of Chipude down to the coast of Valle Gran Rey. You gradually descend towards the sea, passing through a mix of villages, valleys, and open landscapes.
From Chipude, the route continues to El Cercado, known for its traditional pottery. Here you will also find a few small restaurants, ideal for a short break. The trail then climbs gently towards Arure, where you can stop for a drink and enjoy wide views over the western part of the island.
From Arure, the long descent begins towards Valle Gran Rey. The path winds through open terrain, with increasingly beautiful views of the ocean and the coastline. Along the way, the transition from mountain scenery to the relaxed atmosphere of the valley becomes clearly noticeable.
In Valle Gran Rey, you arrive in a lively coastal village with beaches, palm trees, and seaside terraces—a perfect ending to this stage.
Optional overnight stay in Arure
Instead of descending all the way to Valle Gran Rey, you can choose to spend the night in Arure. The following day, you will walk from Arure to Vallehermoso, covering a distance of 10.5 km.
Distance: 10 km
Elevation: +50 m / –1120 m
5 | Altitude meters enough
This is a challenging stage with over 1,600 metres of ascent. Enjoy a beautiful route through valleys and mountain landscapes as you make your way towards Vallehermoso. At the end of the day, a comfortable hotel awaits you.
If you choose to stay in Arure, you avoid the long descent into Valle Gran Rey and the demanding climb at the start of this stage, making for a shorter and less strenuous walk.
From Valle Gran Rey
Distance: 24 km
Elevation: +1600 m / –1430 m
From Arure
Distance: 10.5 km
Elevation: +280 m / –910 m
6 | Beautiful, beautiful beautiful……..
From valley to valley, spectacular views that is what you see on the island of La Gomera. You will leave Vallehermoso…”the beautiful valley” to continue via Agulo to Hermigua. Agulo, picturesque, old, nice, those are the characteristics when you walk through it towards Hermigua. Everywhere you see nature and the sea in your retina .
Distance: 17 km
Height difference: +910 up / -810 down
7 | Last but not least
The sixth walking day for you before you reach San Sebastian again. Up and down again, a long trip along the coast towards San Sebastian. Your trek will end in San Sebastian before a satisfied ferry ride back to Tenerife, or you can choose to spend the last day on La Gomera if your flight is later in the day.
Distance: 17 km
Height difference: +750 up / -900 down
8 | Return trip
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Inclusive
- The price is based on 2 persons
- Travel time: 8 days
- Comfortable accommodations most with breakfast
- Return transfer airport Tenerife South – Port
- Return ferry crossing
- Transfers during the walking tour (if required)
- Luggage transport!
- Selfguided hike with GPX and script
- Support by whatsapp
- Travel guarantee STO Garant
- Acces to our travel app
Exclusive
- Outward and return journey
- Booking costs
- Single supplement
- Return transfer airport Tenerife North
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Mountain sports insurance recommended
Our special accommodations
(Due to the small scale, accommodations can be different)
Distance
118 km
Difficultly
Moeilijk
Up
5730 m.
Down
5880 m.
Can I help you further?
Non-binding and personal. I would like to help you further, via e-mail, telephone or whatsapp button on the site. We are available 7 days a week. During the weekend it can take a few hours before you can get a response from me.
