Walking on La Gomera and El Hierro

La Gomera and El Hierro are the smallest and least visited of the Canary Islands, yet both reward walkers with landscapes of extraordinary beauty and variety. La Gomera is home to the ancient laurisilva cloud forest of Garajonay National Park, deep and rugged barrancos, and the long-distance GR132, while El Hierro, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, offers volcanic cones, the Malpaso summit, and an untouched wildness found nowhere else in the archipelago. Now in its third edition, this Cicerone guidebook by expert author Paddy Dillon describes 33 day walks ranging from 7 to 20km (4 to 12 miles) and taking 2 to 8 hours, plus two long-distance routes covering both islands. It combines clear route descriptions with detailed information on planning, facilities, and public transport to help you explore these remarkable islands with confidence. The 33-day walks are split between La Gomera and El Hierro, with routes ranging from short level walks to long steep treks, almost all waymarked and signposted, with bases in San Sebastián, Valle Gran Rey, Vallehermoso, Valverde, and El Pinar The GR131 sections for both islands are described in 4 stages covering 86km (53 miles), forming part of the long-distance trail that crosses all seven of the Canary Islands The GR132, a circular long-distance walk around La Gomera, is covered in full over 6 stages and 133km (83 miles) with 2 route variants provided, for those looking for a multi-day challenge Every walk is illustrated with 1:50,000 maps, and GPX files are available to download for all 45 routes, enabling easy digital navigation across both islands Detailed information on planning, facilities, and public transport is provided for both islands separately, covering accommodation, food and drink, and getting to and around La Gomera and El Hierro Two of the Canary Islands' most rewarding and least-explored walking destinations, covered in a single volume with day walks, the GR131, and the complete GR132.