Valle Gran Rey
Valle Gran Rey
Valle Gran Rey is located in the southwest of the island of La Gomera. It is a town of extraordinary rural landscapes of great beauty, where erosion has shaped a unique living example of the coexistence of man and nature. It is an intensely terraced area between palm trees and traditional architectural buildings, of great historical and cultural value.
Agriculture, livestock, and traditional fishing formed the basis of the municipality's economy until the late 1960s. From that moment on, an industry linked to the tourism sector began to develop, which, along with the primary sector, currently constitutes the economic engine of Valle Gran Rey.
The Valle Gran Rey Rural Park covers an area of 1,992.8 hectares and extends from sea level to 1,020 meters. It sits atop the two main mountains bordering the valley, La Merca and Teguerguenche, but also includes the part of the ravine that runs from La Casa de la Seda toward the Risco de Guadá.
From a wildlife perspective, the Rural Park is the last refuge for one of the planet's most endangered vertebrates: the giant lizard of La Gomera. At the base of Risco de la Merca is also its Recovery Center, where an ambitious plan is being implemented to prevent its extinction.
The Valle Gran Rey coastline offers a series of black sand beaches suitable for swimming, with Playa de la Calera and Playa de la Puntilla being the largest. Their coastal depths are uniquely spectacular for diving.
Charco del Conde, a site designated as a Site of Scientific Interest, forms a small bay ideal for children's first contact with the sea. Next to it is Charco de la Condesa, a shallow area that has always been a swimming and surfing spot. Both sites are closely linked to the history of this La Gomera town, their names originating from the name once used by the Counts of La Gomera.
The Valle Gran Rey port, located in the Vueltas neighborhood and built in the late 1970s, is currently undergoing a necessary expansion phase to meet the growing demand for transport, fishing, and sports. Next to it is Vueltas Beach, another of the municipality's important beaches.
Away from the town center of Valle Gran Rey, Playa del Inglés is a black sand beach where nudism is possible. Its remoteness makes it a perfect place for stargazing.
Valle Gran Rey offers local and visiting hikers the opportunity to explore its varied landscapes from the coast to the summit, easily and safely.
The island of La Gomera has an extensive network of marked trails that comply with the standards of the Canary Islands Mountain Federation (FCM) and the Spanish Federation of Mountain Sports and Climbing (FEDME), and also comply with the international standards of the European Ramblers Association (ERA).
Two GR (long-distance trails), the GR 131 and the GR 132, pass through the municipality of Valle Gran Rey, as well as three main PR (short-distance trails) and five secondary PR (short-distance trails).
La Gomera
A jewel of nature. That's how you'll define this island when you return home. Your imagination will have to work hard to describe its landscapes, especially the lush forest made up of species that have disappeared elsewhere on the planet millions of years ago, but which have survived on this island for your delight.
La Gomera awaits you to discover its great treasure, Garajonay, a National Park and World Heritage Site: a dense forest of rich flora and a ghostly appearance, with a multitude of now-extinct species and peaceful springs, definitely the ideal place for hiking enthusiasts.
Also, be amazed by its rugged terrain, with deep ravines that plunge into the sea. A landscape sculpted over centuries by erosion after two million years of absence from volcanic eruptions. You'll also enjoy verdant valleys covered with palm trees, charming rural hamlets, impressive cliffs, and inviting black sand coves lapped by crystal-clear waters...
On La Gomera, you'll find virtually untouched nature where humankind has intervened to create agricultural landscapes of great beauty. You'll be amazed by the cultivated terraces arranged on steep hillsides and appreciate the great effort with which the farmers worked.
You'll be pleased to know that the island has implemented the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, an initiative based on the protection of natural areas and the provision of high-quality services.