Garajonay National Park, Spain
Name: Garajonay National Park
Location: Canary Islands, Spain
Date Established: 1981
Size: 15 square miles (40 square kilometers)
Did You Know?
• Prehistoric Forest This small park is on the island of La Gomera in Spain's Canary Islands, off the northwest coast of Africa. More than two-thirds of the park is covered by a thick laurel forest of a type now rare in North Africa and southern Europe, where it thrived during the Tertiary period. The lush landscape is fed by springs and streams and nurtured by rich volcanic soils—but La Gomera is the only one of the Canary Islands that has not had a volcanic eruption in the modern era.
• Local History No people live inside Garajonay National Park but the island of La Gomera has a rich and unusual cultural heritage. The island’s Guanche people may have been North African Berbers. They developed a whistling language, dubbed the silbo gomero, which proved ideal for communicating across forested hillsides and valleys. The Spanish colonized the Canaries in the 15th century and the islands long served as an important stopover on sea routes from Europe to the Americas—in fact, it was Christopher Columbus’s last port of call before making landfall in the Americas.
• Garajonay The park’s high point is the peak of Garajonay at 4,869 feet (1,484 meters). It is just one part of an ancient, eroded plateau that left behind a number of mountains.
• Wet Relative humidity here is generally high, 75 to 90 percent, producing a ubiquitous mist that promotes explosive growth. Forest floors are covered with ferns and mosses and the trees themselves drip with lichen. Annual rainfall is between 24 and 31 inches (600 and 800 millimeters).
• Wild Garajonay is biologically diverse but also isolated; a quarter of its 450 plant species are endemic. Half of the park’s wildlife, mostly birds and lizards, shares this distinction. Cats, dogs, and rats, introduced to the island, have become problematic invaders for the native species.
How to Get There
The Canary Islands are off the northwest African coast. Ferries reach La Gomera from Tenerife, the largest of the islands. Tenerife is served by two international airports.
When to Visit
The park climate is mild and relatively consistent year-round—but visitors should be prepared. Pack warm and waterproof clothing for the rain and mist.
How to Visit
Garajonay is the kind of park that invites old-fashioned exploration—on two feet across an extensive network of hiking trails.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction