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Publication Date: 24 Dec 2010 | Series: Cicerone Guides
Walking guide to La Gomera and El Hierro, in the Canaries, with day walks and long-distance trails including Camino de La Virgen, GR132 around La Gomera and part of GR131 which runs right across the Canary Islands. This is the second book in a comprehensive new five-part series covering all the islands. Routes in Garajonay National Park and from San Sebastien and Valverde. The two smallest of the Canary Islands are no less rugged than their volcanic neighbours, offering a wide variety of little-known walking terrain from steep-sided barrancos and dramatic cliffs to the gentler slopes inland cloaked in laurasilva and pine forests. The waymarked trails described in this new guide include easy strolls and hands-on scrambles, mountain treks and coastal walks. 45 routes are described over both islands with clear contour mapping, inspirational photography and full practical and background information on both islands.
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Paddy Dillon is a prolific walker and writer, with over 40 books to his name, many published by Cicerone. He has contributed to many outdoor publications and appeared on radio and television. Living on the fringes of the English Lake District, Paddy has led guided walking holidays and walked throughout the UK and Europe, as well as in Nepal, Tibet, and the Rocky Mountains. He has also walked extensively throughout the Canaries.
On a recent holiday I checked out 3 guidebooks to walking on La Gomero, and though I have no experience of El Hierro (and therefore comment only on La Gomero content) I believe I am in a position to endorse this Cicerone publication as probably the best - especially for those seeking more arduous outings rather than rambles. As common with many Cicerone guidebooks there are brief notes on geology, wildlife, history, language, health and safety etc. as well as best times to go, how to get there, accommodation, food and drink etc. plus useful contacts (up to 2011). However unlike many Cicerone publications `Walking on La Gomera and El Hierro' comes as a paperback rather than more usual plastic covers, but it is well made and put up with rough treatment.
Unfortunately the Cicerone guide does not specify grades for routes but it gives a satisfactory description of the terrain to be encountered together with distance, ascent/descent and average time, plus start finish points, transport services and refreshment opportunities. Maps are diagrammatic but adequate for planning, and I supplemented guidebook information with a 1:35,000 scale map. It would be nice to be able to report how walkers may rely on the guidebook claim that all selected routes are fully signposted and waymarked but my limited experience suggests otherwise. However paths are generally good and I can confirm that piecemeal directions and landmarks are accurately detailed. There are 27 routes described on La Gomera and a further 18 on El Hierro. Of the 27 on La Gomera there are 18 that more or less overlap with walks suggested in other guidebooks and they embrace the full flavour of the island using a variety of centres, plus 9 long distance `gran recorrido' routes.... There are 7 stages of GR132 around the island, and 2 stages of GR131 across the island.Read more ›
I used this guide while completing a full traverse of the GR131 through all the islands in winter 2011/12. I used Cicerone guides exclusively and my comments relate to all Cicerone guides to the islands. (Gran Canaria and Lanzarote were not waymarked at the time of my walk). First, these guides are up to Cicerones usual high quality. The route descriptions are excellent and you are unlikely to get lost even without a map. The info on accomodation and buses is very useful. Ferry info is necessarily vague as the timetables change regularly. The guides are obviously aimed at day walkers using a fixed base for their walks and as such there is some important info missing for long distance hikers on the GR131, notably water supply points. I often found water at ermitas and picnic places (particularly in the western islands) although the text didn't always mention this. Consequently I often carried much more water than I needed. In the eastern islands water was mostly scrounged from cafes and bars and it was normal for me to carry up to 5 litres. As wild camping is illegal the guides don't give any suggestions for night halts under canvas. On the forested islands it's easy to find somewhere discreet for the night, on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote much less so. Trekking the GR131 in a "oner" is possible but it's pretty tough mainly because of the lack of water and legal campsites. Probably the best guides available in English.
Very good book - definitely one to take with you if you intend walking on La Gomera or El Hierro. Well laid out with some detailed walks of different lengths depending on how energietic you are feeling. Can't wait to try them!