Garajonay National Park (Parque Nacional de Garajonay)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, covering 40 km² (approximately 10% of the island) in the central highlands of La Gomera. The park preserves one of the finest surviving examples of laurisilva (laurel forest) — a type of subtropical cloud forest that covered much of Europe during the Tertiary period (66–2.6 million years ago) and now exists only in Macaronesia. The forest is perpetually bathed in "horizontal rain" (lluvia horizontal) from the trade wind clouds, creating a misty, enchanted landscape of ancient laurel trees festooned with mosses and lichens. More than 18 official hiking trails traverse the park. The park's highest point is Alto de Garajonay at 1,487 metres. The Juego de Bolas visitor centre (near Las Rosas) provides exhibits, maps, and a botanical garden. Flora includes over 400 species, many endemic, and fauna includes the endemic Gomeran lizard (Gallotia caesaris gomerae) and Bolle's pigeon (Paloma turqué).