Walk 9 - Garajonay walking and hiking route
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Walk Instructions
The route includes the ascent of the highest point of
the mountainous core of the island. The peak is 4864ft
(1482m.) above sea level, well above the height of our
own Ben Nevis.
There is a touching little legend concerning the name;
Gara was a local princess much admired by Jonay,
a prince living on Tenerife. Believe it or not, Jonay would
swim across the intervening twenty miles or so to visit
his princess without in any way dampening his youthful
ardour. However ... the local Gomerans took a poor view
of this situation and, armed with spears, eventually
pursued the fleeing Gara and Jonay up the mountain.
Realising that there was no escape from death, at the top
the desperate lovers fell on their own spears rather than
be taken.
As the car parking area is at a high level, the ascent is by
no means as strenuous as might be expected and there are
no difficult sections of path. In fact, apart from the initial
steep rise, which takes not much more than 20 minutes
of steady effort, this is a comparatively easy walk. But
do choose a clear day; cloud over the high ground of La
Gomera is very frequent and there is little point in climbing
Garajonay without the views, which are superb.
The remainder of the route is along broad unsurfaced
roadways at easy gradients, partially through the
Laurisilva forest of the Garajonay National Park.
Most junctions are signposted.
Start Point
Informal roadside car park at the Pajarito junction.
Drive past Alajero, then pass the junction with the road
to Chipude. At the next junction (Pajarito), a left turn
heads for Laguna Grande and Valle Gran Rey; keeping
right head for San Sebastian or Hermigua.
Refreshments:
None along the route of the walk.
Stop at Alajero en route.
Start up the broad, stony track between the Alajero and Laguna
Grande roads. There is a ‘Alto de Garajonay 3.6’ signpost.
1. Turn right in 50 yards at an ‘Alto de Garajonay 2.5’
signpost to rise more steeply through the Laurisilva on a good
path, aided by many steps. There is one short descent which
breaks the rise to the summit ridge.
2. At the ridge join another path. Contadero lies to the
right. Follow ‘Alto de Garajonay’ to the left for an easy little
stroll along the broad ridge, enjoying the fine views. Cross
a shallow depression; at a junction go straight ahead, rising
again to reach the summit. Other Canary Islands (Tenerife
(Mt Teide!), Hiero and Palma) and much of the topography of
La Gomera are included in the magnificent panorama. The
mighty Fortalezza seems relatively insignificant. Identification
is aided by an information board.
3. Leave the summit on the far side, descending past a
small building, with more information boards to the right,
emphasising the importance of the laurisilva rain forest and
of Garajonay as a meeting place of ancient tribal areas.
Within 50 yards of leaving the summit our broad track curves
back to the right, reaching a junction in a further 30 yards.
Go right here, to head north along a fine easy roadway, with
long views.
4. At a major junction turn sharp left to head for ‘Pajarito
3.9, Igualero 2.9’, passing a chain barrier. In 200 yards the
track forks; go left ‘Parajito 3.5, Igualero 3.4’, soon circling
easily round the southern flank of the mountain. A view of
the Fortalezza and the path which provides the easiest ascent
of that mountain should remove any latent ambitions in that
direction. The track rises a little through laurisilva and areas
rich in wild flowers and butterflies. Stay with the main track as
it bears to the left at a corner, now heading east. There are
pine trees as it contours beautifully above a deep valley.
5. At a signposted junction continue to follow ‘Pajarito 2.4’.
In 40 yards fork left at a point where the Igualero route goes
to the right. Keep straight on at the next junction, rejoining
the outward route just 50 yards from the main road and the
car park at the Pajarito junction.
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Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.
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