From forest to beach on the island of La Gomera

Start: Take the GM-2 road to the Las Creces parking area (hill 1072).

(S) Go South and take the trail that goes deep into the forest to an old clearing, a recreational area. Follow the path towards Arure and Las Hayas, inside the forest. The trail is very pleasant and virtually flat.

At the junction for Arure on the right or Las Hayas on the left, go left towards Las Hayas. Meet a forest track: opposite Las Hayas, fields on the right. Then follow the GR^®131 towards Las Hayas (South), amidst giant heather which forms a rather phantasmagorical backdrop. Leave the forest above the chapel. Go straight down to the road. Come to a crossroad with tall eucalyptus trees in front of a bar-restaurant (left towards Valle Gran Rey-San Sebastian, right towards Arure. GR^®131).

(1) Turn left towards Valle Gran Rey-San Sebastian. Follow this asphalt road to the next ridge. Cross the road and take the path opposite towards Valle Gran Rey-San Sebastian.

On the next ridge, reach another crossroad (left towards Valle Gran Rey/Los Descansaderos, opposite El Cercado/Chipude/San Sébastien, GR^®131). Continue along the GR^®131 towards El Cercado on the plateau opposite. The path skirts the Valle Gran Rey cañon at the bottom of the valley. Go up to El Cercado, known for its traditional pottery, at the Bar María. Turn right towards Valle Gran Rey/La Viscaina, opposite the potteries, Chipude/San Sébastien, Valle Gran Rey/Chele/Gerian.

(2) From the Bar María on the bend, go past the pottery stores towards Chipude and at the bend go down the stairs and then follow the road. Follow the signposted path down to Valle Gran Rey and Gerián. Leave the houses and descend into the La Matanza valley. This barranco joins the Chipude barranco (Barranco de los Manantiales) further down. On the left, a path leads to Chipude. On the right, a path leads along a steep cliff to Valle Gran Rey. Climb it for a few metres to discover an extraordinary view of the Valle Gran Rey canyon. Opposite, the path follows an old irrigation canal to the Guará chapel.

(3) Follow the old irrigation channel that brought water to the tip of Verodal to the south. Go as far as the junction with the path which descends to the right towards Valle Gran Rey. Straight ahead, on its promontory above the canyon, see the Chapelle de Guará at 300m.

(4) Walk down towards Valle Gran Rey/Chele in the hollow, then climb a little to reach the pass where the steep descent to Valle Gran Rey begins. Descend into the valley. The path is stony, a little steep and winding. At the bottom, the path joins the track leading down the valley at the level of 2 houses.

(5) Descend towards the "Los Reyes" hermitage and the beach. There is shade and benches at the hermitage.

(6) From the Los Reyes hermitage, do not go down the stairs, but continue along the path (a little hidden by cacti at the start). Descend and join the dirt track, then the road to reach La Calera, opposite the town hall.

(7) Continue along the road to the beach (E).

Start: Take the GM-2 road to the Las Creces parking area (hill 1072).

Transport: One way hike: organize with at least two vehicles, one left at the beach (E) and one left at the start (S).

Refreshments: Food and refreshment shop in the village of Cercado.

Cercado, a village where traditional pottery is made.