La Gomera’s island paradise for walkers

SPAIN: WALKING IN LA GOMERA, CANARY ISLANDS

THE forest fires that hit the headlines in August damaged only 20% of Gomera’s landmass and few places in Europe offer walks to equal those of this still unspoiled island west of Tenerife.

Almost circular, its hub is the extinct volcano of Garajonay, 1,484m above sea level. From here, high, rocky ridges radiate, separated by deep valleys called ‘barrancos’ that descend to the coast.