Stage 3. Chipude - Vallehermoso

At the foot of the archaeological site of the Fortress lies the village of Chipude, the starting point for the third stage of the Nature Trail. Starting from the information panel located on one side of the square, where the 16th-century Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria stands, the route skirts the town until it joins the CV-18 road at the La Vica washhouses. After walking about 200 metres along the road, the path veers off to the left to cross the Barranco de Los Manantiales ravine, still under the imposing shadow of the Chipude Fortress, which we gradually leaves behind.

After crossing the CV-18 once more, the route continues to El Cercado, a rural village with a long tradition of pottery-making, where clay is still worked by hand in the pre-Hispanic style, without the use of a potter’s wheel. It's set against the backdrop of the Barranco de La Matanza ravine, dotted with Canary Island palm trees, vegetable gardens and ancient terraced fields. The path winds through the village until it reaches the information board at the outskirts, leaving the paved areas behind for a footpath that once again takes the us through a beautiful landscape of terraced slopes at the head of the Barranco del Agua ravine, part of Gran Rey valley, home to the rural park of the same name, and undoubtedly the most impressive of La Gomera’s ravines. In the higher areas, one can make out the layers of rock formed by successive volcanic eruptions, whilst in the background several hamlets can be seen nestled in the fertile valley floors. It is one of the most spectacular views along the route.

After a short but steady climb through a section where we must be wary of possible rockfalls, we reach the hamlet of Las Hayas, preceded by a magnificent palm grove. The final 680 metres follow the road that runs through Las Hayas. Taking the Coromoto path, we reach the local Shrine, where there is a designated area equipped with tables, barbecues and a drinking fountain. Within a few metres, the visitor enters the boundaries of Garajonay National Park once again.

Advancing along a narrow path, we come to another track that allows us to continue enjoying the magic of these laurisilva forests, which are often shrouded in the mist that provides the vegetation with what is known as ‘horizontal rain’, the water content of which can even exceed that of vertical rainfall. The route continues to the Las Creces recreation area, a former sheepfold where livestock was reared until the 1950s, which now offers visitors a spot to rest and cool off under the large trees.

After leaving the Las Creces recreation area, continue along the path, crossing the main road (GM-2), before beginning the descent down the slope of Mount Araña through a beautiful laurisilva forest, where abundant moss and lichen continue to blanket the tree trunks. The Risquillo del Corgo viewpoint offers a sweeping panoramic view of the Vallehermoso basin, historically the island’s most productive agricultural area. The route continues along the summit, passing through the transition zone between montane forest and Canary Island juniper forest (Juniperus phoenicea var. canariensis) – the largest of its kind in the archipelago – an area known as the Vallehermoso plateau. Just past the 34-kilometre mark, the path crosses the forest track leading to the Shrine of El Carmen, beginning a winding descent, featuring a series of terraced sections with wooden steps, leading to a rocky hill from which you can gaze out over the fertile Vallehermoso valley, flanked by Roque Cano, as junipers dot the entire hillside like polka dots. Following the signposts, you come to another crossroads with a small water collection point, and then continue down a short but steep descent through terraced vineyards at the foot of a large rock face, which leads to the asphalt path heading towards La Rosa de las Piedras, a small rural hamlet in the Barranco de Ingenio ravine. After just over 400 metres, we reach La Encantadora Dam and one of the island’s main reservoirs, where a recreational area with several information boards invites visitors to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

The route continues along the right-hand side of the dam, following a 1.25-kilometre stretch of poorly surfaced paths that run at the foot of Roque Blanco. Here the route is shared with vehicle traffic and there is a risk of rockfalls so caution is advised. A footpath soon begins, marking the start of a challenging climb of some 500 metres, during which you can enjoy the scenery, the geology and the vegetation typical of the northern part of the island. In addition to the fayal-brezal woodland, the nearby north face of Roque Blanco is home to significant populations of rock-dwelling plants, many endemic, and the finest formation of Canary Island strawberry-tree (Arbutus canariensis) on the island.

At the end of the climb, walkers can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Barranco de Ingenio and Barranco de Garabato ravines to the west and east respectively, beneath the imposing silhouette of Roque Cano, at the foot of which lies Vallehermoso. From here, and as far as the village, the path winds downhill, offering beautiful views of the Barranco del Ingenio ravine and its valley, dotted with Canary Island palm trees and terraced fields.

The route enters Vallehermoso via the Barranco del Ingenio road and, following the signs at various points throughout the town, leads to the Town Hall square, where an information panel marks the end of the stage. From this very square, walkers have the choice of joining one of the stages of the Costas de La Gomera Nature Trail, which we meet again at Vallehermoso beach.