Walking on La Gomera and El Hierro. Paddy Dillon

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      The walk starts by climbing past houses to leave San Sebastián

      Follow the path onwards and go down a rocky ramp above palms. Cross a gap and climb, exploiting a soft red layer. Climb onto a ridge and pass lots of cardón and tabaibal scrub. Rocks have been shifted to make the path, but watch carefully as it rises across a slope of prickly pears. A pointed peak rises ahead, so keep right and pick up a path contouring along a soft, creamy layer of rock. Later, zigzag up towards palms then head downhill. The path contours round a hollow in the mountainside around 500m (1640ft). A reddish, stony zigzag path cuts through old terraces, becoming vague as it crosses the shoulder of Jaragán around 625m (2050ft).

      Swing right along another soft, creamy layer on the rocky slope, slicing across the face of Jaragán, sometimes cut so deeply that the rock overhangs. Dogs may be heard barking up the cliff, at a little goat farm. Keep following the terrace path onwards, wary of rock-fall. When the far end of the ridge is reached, scooped-out steps lead downhill and a sign announces the Parque de Natural Majona. Zigzag down to a bend on a dirt road at 599m (1965ft), and make a decision. The dirt road can be followed right for Hermigua, continuing along the GR132. It is easy, but very long and convoluted.

      The dirt road could also be followed left, winding easily down to the main road, but Rutas 31 and 32 run straight up a rocky path instead. It starts awkwardly but becomes easier, climbing a broad ridge between forest and scrub. Climb only until a path drifts left, Ruta 31, which links with a narrow, stone-paved path zigzagging down a steep slope of dense scrub. Cross the main road near Las Casetas and go through a barrier to continue the descent.

      Follow a short stretch of dirt road, but turn left down a narrow zigzag path on another steep and scrubby slope. When a house is reached, turn left down a red-tiled path, cross a streambed, go down steps and pass some banana plants. Turn left to cross a bridge over a river then turn right to reach a road beside the Bar El Atajo at Lomo Fragoso.

      Walk down the road, all the way through the Barranco de la Villa to San Sebastián. It sounds simple, but it is 6.5km (4 miles) to the town centre. Pass San Antonio and pass the Bar Restaurante La Cabaña at El Langrero. The road turns left to cross a bridge over the barranco then turns right past an ambulance station. Follow the road into San Sebastián, keeping left as signposted ‘centro ciudad’ under a road bridge. Walk straight into the town centre.

      The path across the face of Jaragán is very narrow and at times runs beneath an overhang

WALK 2

      Los Roques and La Laja

Start/finish	Degollada de Peraza
Distance	8.5km (5¼ miles)
Total ascent/descent	700m (2295ft)
Time	4hr
Terrain	Good paths and tracks, sometimes on very steep slopes. Fine valley and mountain views, although some parts are forested.
Refreshments	Bar at Degollada de Peraza
Transport	Buses reach Degollada de Peraza from San Sebastián, Playa de Santiago and Valle Gran Rey
Note	Route uses Ruta 29 and GR131

      Motorists can start this walk at La Laja, climb to Los Roques, head for Degollada de Peraza and finish by descending to La Laja. Non-motorists can reach Degollada de Peraza by bus. The route follows fine stone-paved paths and includes remarkable scenery at Los Roques.

      Buses stop at just over 900m (2950ft) at Degollada de Peraza, where there is a map-board and nearby bar restaurant. Follow Ruta 29 downhill for La Laja, soon keeping left at a junction to leave the GR131. The steep, winding, stone-paved path offers splendid views across the valley. Agaves, cistus and asphodel grow beside the path, with pines and tabaibal further down, and palms later.

      Pass a ruined caseta and prickly pears. After turning round a side valley there is a good view of La Laja, with pines rising to the domes of Los Roques. Stone-paved zigzags drop into a valley. Climb up the other side, cross a slight gap and pass an almond tree. The path zigzags down past palms and reaches the first few houses in La Laja. Turn left as signposted for Los Roques. If starting from La Laja, find an electricity transformer tower on a road bend. Go down steps and turn right. Cross a concrete bridge over a stream. Zigzag up past houses and turn right as signposted for Los Roques.

      Looking towards the domes of Los Roques from a high part of the walk

      The path rises, with some level stretches and a water pipe alongside. Reach another junction and turn left up a stone-paved path beside pines. The path turns a corner and crosses a dip. Steps and tight zigzags climb through a forested side-valley, where stout eucalyptus trees have been felled or burnt. Leave the valley and start a climbing traverse across a slope of pines, crossing a couple more side-valleys on footbridges. There is a slight drop into another side-valley to cross another footbridge then the path climbs through the forested valley. A gap and a crumbling caseta are reached, with the mighty domes of Los Roques beyond.

      Stone steps are climbed to join a main road near Roque de Agando

      Turn left up a path and pass a ‘limite del parque’ notice. Heather trees appear as the path climbs the forested crest. The Roque de Agando comes into view and the broad path ends with flights of stone steps climbing to a main road. For a closer view of Roque de Agando turn right; otherwise turn left to return to Degollada de Peraza. The GR131 runs beside the GR131 beside the main road. See the middle of Walk 27 to follow the GR131 back to the start.

WALK 3

      Degollada de Peraza and Contreras

Start/finish	Degollada de Peraza
Distance	14km (8¾ miles)
Total ascent/descent	600m (1970ft)
Time	6hr
Terrain	Rugged paths across steep slopes and cliff faces СКАЧАТЬ В начало < 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 > В конец