If the weather is nice, this tour offers fantastic views down towards the sea, and towards Los Roques; including Roque Agondo who also dominates the view during the hike up Barranco Santiago, see La Gomera – Barranco Santiago. But this hike goes down the mountain sides on the other side.
Read the main article about Playa de Santiago area here: La Gomera – around Playa de Santiago.
You can take the airport bus at 10.30 o’clock up to Mirador Degollada de Peraza in the morning and return with Linea 3 at four o’clock in the afternoon. It gives you 5 hours. The trip takes 3-4 hours depending on the number of breaks along the way. And there is good reason for breaks, the view is outstanding.
You can choose which direction you go. I am not so fond of steep descents so I chose to go in the direction of Mirador de los Roques where the descent to the village of La Laja is not so steep. But in return you get 500 meters right up at the end of the trip. You have to follow the asphalt a few small stretches, but soon the path leads down pine-clad slopes where large sections are paved with stones.
Halfway down you come to the partially collapsed refugio Degollada del Tanque which was used as a refuge for travellers in the old days. In the background the three Los Roques towers.
Further you come to La Laja from where it starts to go up again. Note that there is a shortcut above La Laja. Choosing that saves you 50 height-meters, and it takes you past a small finca with colorful art installations.
From here it only goes uphill, partly quite steep on a path that zigzags up the mountainside. But also here a reward awaits at the top. It’s time for an ice cold pint at the restaurant while you wait for the bus.
All La Gomera articles: la-gomera
