The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Majona

On clear days, from many high points of La Gomera, you can perfectly see El Teide dominating the horizon. Although it seems "close", it is actually about 60–90 km away depending on where you look at it on the island. El Teide is 3,715 meters high and is the highest mountain in Spain and also the highest volcano in the Atlantic. Its last eruption was in 1909, in the Chinyero area, and it is still considered an active volcano. When the sky is clear, it is impressive to see how it stands out above the clouds as if it were another continent floating in the ocean. Viquipèdia + 1

The Majona Natural Park is a protected area in the northeast of La Gomera, between San Sebastián and Hermigua. It was created to conserve one of the island's wildest and least altered landscapes: enormous volcanic ravines, arid slopes, old paths, and all the vegetation typical of the Gomera's dry climate, such as tabaibas, cardones, and palm trees. Unlike Garajonay, here there are no large humid forests or constant fog. Majona has a much harsher and more open appearance, with tracks hanging over precipices and enormous views of the Atlantic. Historically, it was also an important area for capturing and transporting water through galleries, reservoirs, and long pipelines, such as the pipe that accompanies the track towards Roque Garaballo.

From the GM-1 to Roque Garaballo, the trail is marked by the large metal pipe that accompanies the route through curves, ravines, and volcanic slopes. In many sections, you can perfectly hear the water running inside, even when the path seems to climb again. The system works by taking advantage of the island's natural pressure and gradients: the water circulates confined within the pipe and maintains its flow thanks to the principle of communicating vessels and the force accumulated in previous descents. On an island where historically every liter of water was vital, these pipes allowed water to be transported over long distances, crossing rugged and inaccessible terrain. Riding alongside this pipe suspended over the void, hearing the water in the middle of an arid and silent landscape, gives this trail a very special and almost forgotten atmosphere.

Montaña de Ismael is one of the most accessible natural viewpoints near San Sebastián de La Gomera and a usual starting point for hiking and cycling routes. From here, tracks and trails depart, connecting with ancient traditional paths and sections of the GR-131, the great route that crosses the Canary Islands. Access is relatively easy and the views are very worthwhile: deep ravines, the port of San Sebastián, the ocean, and on clear days, even Tenerife and El Teide in the distance. It's a perfect area to start a quiet bike climb, take a panoramic stop, or link up with longer tracks towards the interior of the island. The terrain mixes volcanic rock, typical La Gomera scrubland, and wide tracks, ideal for gravel or MTB. It's not extreme high mountain terrain, but it is one of those places where you quickly understand why La Gomera seems designed by someone obsessed with curves and gradients.

The strong trade winds and the air currents channeled between ravines have gradually shaped it, forcing it to develop seeking balance and light while resisting the continuous pressure of the wind. The constant humidity and fog in the area have also favored the appearance of moss on part of the trunk and branches, giving the tree an even wilder appearance. More than a tree, it looks like a natural sculpture slowly created by the extreme climate of the peaks of La Gomera.

I have no idea what it's called, but it definitely comes from El Credo and is very vigorous in the spring.

Ferns are hanging everywhere; it's beautiful to look at them.

Nice place to take a break.