Garajonay National Park – A Hikers Dream
The island of La Gomera, located some 40 miles West of Tenerife is an escapists dream. Unlike its bigger cousin there are no nightclubs or fancy bars but it offers the nature lover a diverse and spectacular landscape to explore.
La Gomera is shaped like an orange squeezer, with ravines running out from the core of the island. At it’s centre lies the rainforest which rises to a height of about 5000ft. http://reddeparquesnacionales.mma.es/parques/garajonay/index.htm .
The rainforest consists of Laurel or Laurisilva which at one time covered much of Western Europe. Pollution, man and climate change decimated large areas of this fauna but the isolation and clean air of La Gomera’s micro climate has ensured its survival. At present the biggest threat comes from summer fires.
Laurisilva is the name given to this particular fauna and as you make your way into the forest after the long and winding ascent to the summit by car you will be amazed by its medusa-like trunks and branches which are covered in a green moss.
Sleepy Hollow could have been filmed here and as you follow the track the temperature drops and the light is diminished. Locals trod these paths many, many years ago in order to cross from one side of the island to the other and one can see why. It must have been far easier to transport goods through the cool forest than across sun-baked ravines.
After an hour or so a stream is reached and the chance to refill empty bottles. The lack of rain makes one wonder where the water comes from but the answer lies in the “horizontal” rain or mist that is soaked up by the forests vegetation.
After walking for an hour or so a stream is reached. This is derived from the moisture collected from horizontal rain or mist. A little further on the path opens to a settlement which contains a number of small holdings and a restaurant which servers local delicacies such as soup and Gofia (ground maize) to thicken it.
Finally, make your way along a short tarmac road to a hidden tunnel where your guide will present you with a lighted candle which is absolutely required as you traverse from one valley to the next. A truly memorable experience.