Valle Gran Rey Trail

Garajonay National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, covering 40 km² in the centre of La Gomera. The park preserves one of the best remaining examples of laurisilva (laurel forest), a type of subtropical rainforest that covered much of Europe during the Tertiary period (66–2.5 million years ago) and now survives only in Macaronesia. The forest is often shrouded in horizontal rain (lluvia horizontal) from the trade wind clouds. The park's highest point is Alto de Garajonay (1,487m). Over 18 marked trails cross the park, from short interpretive walks (1–3 km) to the full GR-131 route. Key trails: S-18 (La Meseta circular, 5.5 km, easy), S-37 (El Cedro forest, 8 km, moderate). The visitor centre (Juego de Bolas) near Las Rosas provides information and maps.