La Gomera walk book updates
Walk 13 Apartocaminos ... Valle Gran Rey
Page 39, penultimate paragraph. The path from the Montana restaurant has new been replaced by a dirt track, which may be asphalted in the future.
Walk 16 Las Hayas ... Las Hayas
Page 43, last paragraph. The path from the Montana restaurant has new been replaced by a dirt track, which may be asphalted in the future.
Walk 17 Vueltas ... La Playa
Page 45, penultimate paragraph. Replace the end of the paragraph, after "onto the surfaced road by the Baja del Secreto Apartments", with: Turn left at the T-junction and follow the recently surfaced road which swings left and joins the main road by the Laurisilva Apartments."
Page 47, last paragraph. Replace this paragraph with the following:
"Turn right. The road splits shortly afterwards, with the main road to Vueltas going on past the parish church, petrol station, roundabout and bridge, but go right down a side road to join the Carretera La Playa. This broad, pavemented road reaches the seafront, at the back of La Playa beach, near the small Ermita San Pedro. At the junction, the road left goes across the mouth of the bay, to La Puntilla and Vueltas, however you should go right. Turn left to go along in front of the La Playa shops, then turn right to go inland on a pedestrian street. Join the bigger road and continue onwards past large holiday complexes, to eventually reach the black sand beach of Playa del Inglés."
Amendments and additions Spring 2001, to the 2000 edition of the book.
These have all been incorporated in the latest edition of La Gomera for Walkers, published 2002
Walk 13 Apartocaminos ... Valle Gran Rey
Page 39, final paragraph. After "Barranco del Agua." add: "After a brief, steep descent to the right, then left, follow a short path along the cliff... page 40, 2nd & 4th paragraphs. The "dirt track" opposite Maria's café, is now an asphalt road.
Walk 16 Las Hayas ... Las Hayas
Page 44, 2nd paragraph. "(part of Walk 9") should read "(part of walk 13)"
Walk 19 Valle Gran Rey ... Valle Gran Rey
Page 50, 2nd paragraph. This was rewritten in March 2001 - see below:
"At a black, rocky narrowing of the gorge, climb up past a small pool built into the gorge bed, to the stone terraces beyond and above. A badly eroded path zigzags up to the right of the terraces, then goes left across the top terrace. It continues from the terraces, swinging round to the right, then leading down and across the streambed. A path runs on the left side of the stream and leads into a section of the gorge with a gouged-out whirlpool below. Cross back over the streambed and climb the eastern side of the gorge wall, on a very steep, slippery path marked with red blobs. This is the start of the serious climbing, and there is more of it, so if you have doubts at this point, stop. If continuing - from here, climb to reach a high level path along the eastern side of the gorge. This path drops suddenly, as you come within sight of a grey rock-bed below, and where the course of the gorge ahead can be seen to swing left."
Walk 29 Imada junction ... Playa de Santiago.
Page 67, 2nd paragraph.
The steps to the left of the Alajeró mirador have been fenced-off, so (at least in March 2001) you must go down to the right of the mirador - to join the same path.
Page 68, 3rd paragraph.
For "After the last houses of Alajeró, and just before a left curve of the road" read "After the last houses of Alajeró, and just after a left curve of the road"
Page 68, 4th and 6th paragraphs.
The "dirt tracks" are now asphalt roads.
Page 69, 1st paragraph.
For a shorter version of the walk, you can catch the bus from just outside Antoncojo. Instead of turning down the wide concrete and stone path, stay on the asphalt road until the junction with the main road. The bus-stop shelter is on the lower side of the bend of the road.
Walk 34 Roque Agando ... Alajeró
Page 74, 3rd paragraph.
Most of Benchijigua now has mains lighting, and most of the solar-powered lampposts have gone. The Benchijigue bar say they are open most days. Try the terrace door entrance, if the obvious, end-door is locked. The chained track to Imada, just below the bar, was no longer signposted in February 2001, but it did have a red blob on the gate post.
Page 75, 4th paragraph.
After "Cross the stream, then turn right ..." there is an option to continue on, if you want to go more directly to the Imada exit road. "After crossing the stream, where the main path goes up right, continue on ahead instead. Drop slightly left, then right. Cross a stream bed then go up. Turn right up some concrete steps to join the road."
Finally...
My apologies to the owners of the SANSOFÉ Apartments/rooms on Avenida Maritima, La Puntilla, 38870 Valle Gran Rey. Their correct phone & fax number is (0034) 922 805535; their mobile number is (0034) 626 310929. The apartments are well situated above a small supermarket and the bike hire shop. They have attractive and spectacular views up the valley to Calera, and a sun terrace on the roof with sunbeds and views of the sea.
© Copyright Lance Chilton April 2001 & March 2004