The Charm of Vallehermoso – The Beautiful Valley in La Gomera

The beauty of Vallehermoso is seen as soon as you enter the valley or maybe the size of the magnificent rocks and mountains will be the first to grab your attention. The high cliffs in the mountains raise your eyes to the sky and you can see the clouds than seep though the mountain. There you see the massive rocks that look like a giant has just dropped them there. These rocks are called Roque Cano Natural Monument and is where the magma from the volcanos has landed. From the Roque Cano Monument there is a great lookout where you might get to see some of the bird life that makes it’s home here, like the long eared owls.

Vallehermoso has a population of around 3,000 but it’s size make it the second largest municipality on La Gomera. In the town of Vallehermoso is a sleepy village of old and a few new buildings. Some of the old buildings need a few repairs but these details all add to the charm of the area. When you visit Vallehermoso plan to stay a while because it will take you a little time to slow to the pace of the town. It is the prefect area to turn off all your devices and enjoy a digital detox while exploring the walks through and outside of the village. The hard part of the day will be deciding which trail you would like to explore today.

In the town square are a few lovely cafes; we enjoyed a drink at Lucia’s. Sitting with the locals and enjoying the atmosphere it becomes a lively area in a beautiful village. The square has many little streets leading off it and you can find old style Canarian houses in the small streets. You will also find everything you need from banks to the traditional bakeries that have delicious smells that float towards you. At the end of Calle Mayor you will find the church Iglesia San Juan de Bautista an old square shaped building in Canarian style. You can also enjoy the views of the town from the church and on your way back you can enjoy looking at all the buildings, some very old possibly not livable anymore but beautiful.

The beauty of Vallehermoso comes a lot I think from it’s history of agriculture. In the Gardens you can see the delicious tropical fruit trees and plants. There are bananas, papayas and apricots to name a few. The local fruit that is grown here can normally be brought in a small market hall just off from the main square. Ask around and a kind local will point you in the correct direction.

Just a short drive from the main square of Vallehermoso is the Playa de Vallehermoso a small beach that is now home to swimming pools and a few locals selling refreshments and locally made items. When we were there the pools had been closed so the area was extremely quiet but made for a great spot to relax and watch the ocean as we ate our lunch and planned what walks we wanted to complete next.

If you have kids with you make sure to take them to the playground just a short walk down from the main square or even shorter drive, you will probably pass it on your way into town. In the playground you will find the normal swings and slides and climbing equipment but you will also find giant carved stone figures.

Where to stay in Vallehermoso? There are many options. For self catering option Casa Rural Vicente would be a good option, it is also very private with stunning views. For a gorgeous old Canarian charm I would stay at Casa Rural El Palmar it is close to the center and great for a couples get away. It only has access by walking not reachable by car, it was not a problem for us but important to note. For all round good accommodation I recommend Morera, a very cute property close to restaurants and supermarket. It has the breakfast needs, coffee machine and toaster etc. It is a lovely cottage that has been modernized.

Places to eat. I would recommend Tusca Restaurante El Carraca. It is a great stop for coffee and local Canarian dishes. Bar Restaurante Los Chorros de epina is a good option to enjoy the views and dine in a rural restaurant with hearty big portions a good place to try the local specialty dish of La Gomera Potaje de berros. Delicious!