La Gomera GR-132 Day 1 Sebastian - Santiago

The first day of the circular hike around La Gomera island is with about 19 km the longest of the eight stages!

Our hike starts at the info point (map GR-131/132!) opposite the bus station and shopping center of San Sebastian. The hard-to-find entry to the coastal route is the Endesa power plant of San Sebastian in the west of the town. Directly above it along the fence, the GR-132 leads south up the steep hill. After the first ascent, San Sebastian offers itself once again as a photo motif, then it becomes quiet with a scenery of brown earth with scattered rocks, low bushes and a view of the sea behind.

Playa de la Guancha

We start getting used to the landscape and path. Higher up, civilization is still noticeable with old buildings, the Jesus statue viewpoint and cars on the GM-2. At the first beach, the beautiful Playa de la Guancha, it is still too early for a rest since we have only been walking for about an hour. Ahead of us lies the Pescado pass, and maybe other hikers are just ascending or descending there, which looks a bit exposed. On the gently ascending path, at each crossing of the usually dry creek bed, there is a sturdy post on both edges, presumably for securing in case of flooding. This will accompany us for the entire 128 km. After some slightly exposed switchbacks, we reach the pass (150 m elevation), a junction with a bench where a shortcut branches off to Chapo Ravelo. However, we take the gently ascending path south to the beautiful view of the former banana plantation Playa del Cabrito, then for a while the Otto-Mühl commune. In tight switchbacks we descend to the ecological hotel complex. After crossing a creek bed, a notice board shows us how to bypass the hotel complex (photo). Entering is not welcome.

Playa del Cabrito

Drinking water and a vending machine are available at the hotel reception. The Finca el Cabrito hotel complex is only accessible by sea; the boat must be registered the day before.

On the gently ascending continuation along a rock wall at the end of the beach, you can see mango and avocado trees of the hotel before the GR-132 leads laboriously up 500 meters elevation to the abandoned settlement of Morales. Our day's goal Playa de Santiago is already indicated on the signpost; the path now leads slightly downhill. We reach Contreras, another abandoned settlement with a few palm trees. Emergency overnight accommodation is possible in a two-story house.

The next place is Tecina, a little over 6 km away after passing three cuts, the last of which is particularly painful, as you can see the goal right opposite on the other side of the steeply incised bay. In the final stretch of the first hiking day, we reach the golf course in Tecina (right), the Jardin Tecina hotel complex (left), then the bus stop with a view down to the day's goal Playa de Santiago.