La Gomera

Many say this is the most authentic

Canarian Island.

With only 22,000 inhabitants, it’s a small delight with some of the best cuisine in the archipelago dished out of backstreet tavernas, a vibrant craft scene and a lingering local lingo – Silbo Gomero – comprised of whistling sounds that carry messages up to three miles to neighbouring villages. San Sebastián is the island’s capital, where restaurants serve watercress soup and fiery papas arrugadas (potatoes with chilli-pepper sauce), and potters can be seen spinning traditional ceramics in open-air workshops. Measuring just 22 miles from east to west, it is a haven of over 600 miles of dedicated trails, and it was awarded World Biosphere Reserve status in 2011. Its countryside is full with forests and dramatic mountain ridges. Its beaches are quiet and its sleepy villages are traditional. The best hiking spots are: Valle Gran Rey. A green ravine is corralled by mountain scenery and it looks out over the sea. Hike in El Cedro Forest, the jewel of which is El Chorro waterfall, which is nearly 400 metres tall. Chorros de Espina is a natural spring set in the heart of a forest. Legend says, it's waters are medicinal, and can even make a woman fall in love. We went for a hike in La Gomera's Garajonay National Park that has an ancient ecosystem stretching for over 15 square miles. Its deep gorges and thick woodland have earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and the hundreds of walking trails here mean visitors can enjoy it from every angle. On our tour, we hiked through the mystical old Laurel Forest. Our hike started at Les Hayas and headed down through the oldest part of the forest towards the pottery village El Cercado, giving us spectacular views of the Valley Gran Rey on the way. We stopped in a small picnic area for a short break. The last part of the hike took us past beautiful cultivated terrace fields and fruit groves on the way to finish at a local inn where we enjoyed a half pint of beer for €1.