Garajonay National Park – The Enchanted Forest of La Gomera

Geography and Landscape

Garajonay National Park lies at the very heart of La Gomera and stretches over more than 40 square kilometers, making up around 10% of the island’s surface. It covers a plateau of ancient volcanic rock and is crisscrossed by deep ravines and misty ridges, forming a compact highland jungle preserved in time. The park is home to the most extensive and best-preserved laurel forest (laurisilva) in the Canary Islands — a rare, subtropical ecosystem that once blanketed much of Southern Europe millions of years ago.

This evergreen forest flourishes in the island’s central highlands, where humidity from the trade winds condenses in the form of mist, keeping the vegetation lush and perpetually green. Towering laurel trees, tangled moss, ancient ferns, and shadowy paths give Garajonay an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the archipelago.

Flora and Fauna

The biodiversity in Garajonay is extraordinary. Over 1,000 plant species have been catalogued, many of them endemic to La Gomera or the Canary Islands. Giant ferns cover the forest floor, and moss hangs like curtains from the branches above. Among the park’s most emblematic trees are viñátigos, tilos, and laurels.

The park is also home to two rare species of pigeon — the laurel pigeon and Bolle’s pigeon — which are found only in laurel forests like these. Other species include Canarian lizards, bats, and amphibians that thrive in the cool, humid environment.

Climate and Atmosphere

Due to its altitude and location, Garajonay National Park maintains a temperate and humid microclimate throughout the year. Mist is common, especially in the mornings, contributing to the forest’s enchanting and mysterious atmosphere. The average temperature stays mild, ranging between 10°C and 20°C depending on the season, making it an ideal hiking destination year-round.

Tourism and Hiking

Garajonay is a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The park is filled with well-marked trails of varying lengths and difficulties, many of which are circular routes ideal for day visitors. Paths wind through thick vegetation, leading to panoramic viewpoints, waterfalls, and quiet forest glades.

The most popular route is the trail to Alto de Garajonay, the highest point on the island at 1,487 meters. On clear days, visitors are rewarded with sweeping views across La Gomera and even glimpses of Tenerife, La Palma, and El Hierro. Other routes such as El Cedro, Contadero, or Las Creces offer shorter and family-friendly options with equally scenic rewards.

How to Visit

Garajonay is easily accessible from all parts of La Gomera by car or organized tour. Entry to the park is free, and multiple visitor parking areas are available near the main trailheads. The best place to begin a visit is at the Juego de Bolas Visitor Centre, near the town of Agulo. This center features a botanical garden, informative exhibits, and displays about the park’s flora, fauna, and traditional rural life. It also organizes cultural activities and guided walks during peak travel seasons.

Visitors should bring comfortable walking shoes, warm layers, rain protection, and drinking water. The weather can shift quickly from sunny to misty, particularly at higher elevations.

Worth to do!
Garajonay National Park offers an abundance of quiet yet unforgettable activities for nature lovers, hikers, and culturally curious travelers. Here are some of the best things to do during a visit:

Hike to Alto de Garajonay
The highest point on the island, offering 360-degree views across La Gomera and, on clear days, neighboring islands like Tenerife and La Palma. The trail is moderate and leads through dense forest to a historic, windswept summit.
Walk the El Cedro Trail
One of the most popular routes, El Cedro is a lush and relatively easy walk that takes visitors through dense laurel forest and past the charming Hermitage of Lourdes. Perfect for families and casual hikers.
Visit the Juego de Bolas Visitor Centre
Located near Agulo, this center introduces visitors to the park’s ecosystems, cultural history, and conservation efforts. It also features a garden with endemic plants and traditional architecture — a great starting point for your journey.
Explore the Laurisilva Forest Ecosystem
Take time to appreciate the biodiversity around you. Listen for birdsong, watch for the flight of the laurel pigeon, and marvel at the moss-covered trees and tangled roots that have grown here undisturbed for centuries.
Learn the Legend of Gara and Jonay
At the summit or in the misty heart of the forest, reflect on the tragic love story that gave the park its name. Many guided walks include storytelling that brings this legend to life.

Myths and Cultural Significance

Garajonay is not only a place of ecological importance but also of cultural and mythical depth. According to legend, the park takes its name from the tragic love story of Gara, a Gomeran princess, and Jonay, a young man from Tenerife. Forbidden to be together, the couple fled into the mountains and took their lives atop the island’s highest peak. This romantic and sorrowful tale still echoes in the name of the park — a fusion of their two names — and adds to the spiritual aura of the forest.

Conservation and UNESCO Status

Garajonay National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 due to its ecological uniqueness and the exceptional state of preservation of its ancient forest. Efforts are ongoing to protect its fragile environment from invasive species, forest fires, and the effects of climate change. Visitors are encouraged to follow trails, avoid disturbing wildlife, and help preserve the park’s serenity and biodiversity for future generations.

Conclusion

Garajonay National Park is one of La Gomera’s greatest natural wonders — a mystical and verdant forest where time seems to slow and silence reigns. Whether you're drawn to hiking, birdwatching, or simply escaping into nature’s calm, the park offers an experience that is both peaceful and profound. It is a place to breathe deeply, reflect quietly, and walk gently beneath the ancient trees that have stood here for millennia.

Garajonay National Park – The Enchanted Forest of La Gomera

See also

Hike through El Sabinar and the Highlands – The Wind-Bent Soul of El Hierro

Carnival of Santa Cruz de La Palma – The Island’s Most Playful and Powdered Celebration

Corralejo and the Dunes – Where Desert Meets the Sea