The best running trails around Vallehermoso

La Fortaleza is a large volcanic formation located in the west-central part of La Gomera, near Chipude. It is an ancient volcanic plug that resisted erosion for millions of years, becoming isolated and elevated above the surrounding ravines. At an altitude of approximately 1,243 meters, it was a sacred place for the ancient gomeros and today it is one of the island's most emblematic landscapes, with spectacular views towards the mountains, ravines, and the Atlantic.

La Mosca, or La Mouche, was a French privateer sunk off Vallehermoso in 1801, during the naval conflicts between France and England. According to local history, the ship arrived pursued by three English warships, and its captain, finding himself cornered, decided to run the corvette aground on the beach rather than surrender it intact to the enemy. Anglo-French sources cite the pursuit by HMS Diamond and link the episode to March 6, 1801. For years, the shipwreck left real traces in the area: cannons, bullets, metal fragments, and wooden remains documented on Vallehermoso beach; in 1969, two large bronze cannons, each weighing about a thousand kilos, were even recovered. Between history and legend, La Mosca remains one of the most powerful tales of this northern coast: a pursued ship, a captain with no way out, and a sea that still today seems capable of swallowing everything.

Small volcanic beach located below the northern cliffs of La Gomera, in a much wilder and more authentic setting than a tourist one. Here the Atlantic enters with force and the coast combines black sand with large pebbles polished by the sea, creating that characteristic landscape of the island. Even so, the area is very well equipped, with umbrellas, a beach bar, restrooms, and a quiet atmosphere perfect for stopping after a hike. Very close to here, ancient storms and shipwrecks caused by the harshness of this northern coast are remembered, where the ocean and the wind have always marked the life of Vallehermoso.

Laguna Grande is probably one of the best starting points on all of La Gomera to explore the upper part of the island by bike. Many people arrive here by van or car precisely to start their routes from this point and avoid some of the toughest climbs from the coast. From the recreational area, you can easily link up with routes towards San Sebastián, Valle Gran Rey, Alajeró, or the entire central ridge across the humid forest. The advantage is enormous: you start already at over 1,200 meters altitude, within the laurisilva, surrounded by practically traffic-free tracks and roads. This allows you to enjoy the long, scenic descents and high mountain routes much more without draining all the battery or your legs on endless ascents from sea level. Of course, the climate here changes radically compared to the coast. Fog is very common almost all year round and humidity is constantly present, even when it's sunny down below. It is essential to bring a good rain jacket, a serious windbreaker, and some light thermal clothing, because the feeling of cold increases considerably when you enter the more humid areas of the forest. It is also advisable to bring lights or reflective elements if you are going to ride for many hours in fog and shade. For e-bike tours, Laguna Grande is simply a spectacular base.

The Laguna Grande Recreational Area is one of the most important and visited points in the interior of La Gomera. It is located in the high zone of the island, within the Garajonay National Park, at an altitude of over 1,200 meters and surrounded by the famous laurisilva forest, considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. More than just a picnic area, Laguna Grande functions as a meeting point for hikers, cyclists, and visitors exploring the island's humid heart. Several well-known routes begin here, and it is also one of the best places to stop to rest, eat, or simply contemplate the forest amidst the fog. The climatic difference compared to the coast is enormous: while it can be hot and sunny below, here it is common to find humidity, cold, fine rain, and fog even in summer. The place also has a significant symbolic and popular charge in La Gomera. There are ancient legends related to witches and nocturnal gatherings in the central clearing of the forest, stories that are still part of the local imagination and fit perfectly with the mysterious atmosphere of the place when the fog rolls in among the trees. Today, it is one of the great nerve centers of Garajonay and a practically essential stop to understand the landscape, climate, and the more humid and green personality of La Gomera.

In the heart of the Garajonay National Park, this recreational area is one of the most magical corners of La Gomera. Surrounded by laurel forest, mist, and moss-covered trees, it feels like a scene frozen in time. Ideal for taking a break on the route, having a snack, or simply listening to the silence of the forest as the light shifts through the mist. A classic for cyclists and hikers seeking the island's most humid, green, and mysterious side.

The so-called Castillo del Mar is not a historical or defensive castle, but a large structure built on the coast of Vallehermoso as part of an old recreational and maritime project. For years it functioned as a leisure area linked to the sea and the natural pools in the area, becoming one of the most recognizable places on the northern coast of La Gomera. The most striking thing is its location: built practically over the Atlantic and constantly battered by the sea and storms. Strong waves damaged the structure greatly over the years, and it ended up becoming almost a kind of "modern ruin" facing the ocean, much photographed for the contrast between concrete, waves, and volcanic cliffs.

This black sand and pebble beach hides one of La Gomera's most curious stories: the shipwreck of the ship “La Mosca” at the beginning of the 19th century. According to documents and oral tradition, the French vessel ended up running aground on this coast while fleeing or seeking refuge from English ships and Atlantic storms. For years, cannons and wreckage appeared on the seabed and some were even seen embedded in the old walls of the breakwater. Today the area is much quieter: sunshades, a relaxed atmosphere, and a wild beach surrounded by enormous volcanic cliffs. And right next door, it is highly recommended to stop at Bar Pirata for a bite to eat after the route. Simple cuisine, local produce, and that kind of place where a cold beer and any dish taste even better facing the Atlantic.