La Gomera holidays

La Gomera is a walker’s paradise and its topography is the reason. People talk about the island as though it is modelled on the segments of an orange – its deep valleys (barrancos) are kept almost entirely separate from each other by the high ridges in between them, which make for great, if steep, hikes. At the heart of the island is La Garajonay National Park, a cloud-drenched laurel forest that makes for cool respite after your sweaty climb. When the clouds part, you can get great views of the other Canary Islands. Trails are well-signposted and so self guided is a good way to go. This is a special, fragile landscape and so our walking holidays come with clear guidelines on how to hike responsibly.

La Gomera has no international airport, so most travellers arrive in Tenerife and then cross to La Gomera by passenger ferry. On the 50-minute crossing you’ll encounter dozens of surfacing pilot whales – they like to feed in the deep water between the two islands, then surface to rest and recover afterwards. It’s an added perk to combining the two islands, but before you get to the pilot whales, consider spending more time in Tenerife, too. It’s bigger and higher and has a wider variety of scenery, plus larger towns and cities, too.

Whistle while you walk – La Gomera’s unique whistling language is on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. Expressive and complex, it needs to be heard to be believed and it was designed to communicate over long distances – the Canary equivalent of the yodel. Silbo Gomero is taught in all schools in La Gomera.

If you’re not walking, or whistling, a great way to get to know the quiet and peaceful nature of life here is to stay for a painting holiday, or a chilled-out village stay. You can find local wine, as well as locally made cheeses and other produce on the island. La Gomera also has a protected palm syrup production; sap is tapped at night (the syrup spoils in the sun) – and is good for treating a sore throat, or for drizzling over cheese.