South Coast Walks & Historical Sites
Bring intriguing coastal trails and history alive in South Hampshire
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Two weeks discovering two superb islands for hiking.
Feb
Apr
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 12800
1st Week - In La Palma we only operate Grade 5 & 6
2nd Week - In La Gomera we only operate Grade 5
The walker’s haven that is La Palma offers a wide variety of walking which is perfect for our 2 Grade, 2 Leaders, 2 Walks option at a Grades 5 and 6. On the East of the island paths are greener through forests where on the West the island is much more barren.
Each day we will walk up to 6 hours with cumulative daily ascents and descents in the range of 750m depending on the grade of walk you choose to do. Some walks will have longer descents that can be towards 1000m especially on the Grade 6 walk. The paths we take are rough and steep at times, but will be taken at a pace appropriate to the grade of the walk. The higher the grade walking programmes the higher ascents and duration will be. It is important to note that some walks maybe difficult for those affected by vertigo. The maximum altitude reached on either grade is over 2,400m.
The wild landscapes of La Gomera make for interesting and varied walking. This is a Grade 5 moderate holiday which includes full day walks with moderate amounts of ascent and descents of 750m with some walks being very much at the top of the grade with longer descents. Our maximum altitude on this holiday is 1,500m, you might find yourself walking above the clouds. Given that the island is on a volcano the terrain is rugged and will require a head for heights. Paths are mostly good, but there will be some steep and rough ground.
Please see our Proposed Itinerary below for more walk examples.
Overview
This holiday is a great combination of our popular 7 night La Palma and 9 night La Gomera holidays.
Take a walk on the wild side of La Palma, make your way through ancient green laurel forests and fragrant pine woods and climb above the tree line to discover a volcanic landscape like no other. Walk along the dramatic Ruta de Los Volcanes and ascend to over 1800m to the Pico Bejenado rim for a bird’s eye view down into the vast caldera.
La Palma is a green and beautiful island with a temperate climate and an impressive volcanic past. The National Park of Caldera de Taburiente offers wonderful walking in stunning surroundings. Apart from mountains and volcanoes here; the northern part of the island is very fertile, and bananas particularly are grown extensively.
Our walking programme reflects the wide variety of walks, including along parts of the long-distance GR (Gran Recorrido) footpath which takes us to the southern tip of the island with its lighthouse and salt-pans nature reserve, as well as the dramatic Ruta de los Volcanes. Here we see up close evidence of volcanic activity over the centuries, and as recently as 1971 when Teneguia last erupted.
We also visit the 15th century capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, with its picturesque streets, colourful architecture and waterfront cafés. This is just a 15 minute bus ride north from our hotel, which is situated in the district of Los Cancajos. We hire buses and the reliable local bus services to get all around the island on our walks.
Our first week has come to an end where we now head to Tenerife for one night before we take to the seas to Gomera for 9 nights. Days will be spent discovering the wild landscapes, dramatic scenery, deserted beaches and sleepy mountain villages of La Gomera in the best possible way – on foot. La Gomera is a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of other parts of the Canaries, an island that time and mass tourism forgot. Only accessible by ferry, it’s a tranquil island haven filled with a wild natural beauty that casts a spell on all who visit.
First glimpses from the boat from Los Cristianos in Tenerife suggest La Gomera is barren and deserted but this is deceptive. You will quickly discover traditional Canarian ‘white villages’, mountains, pine forests, dramatic cliffs and wildlife endemic to the island – it’s all here to explore and only add to the many reasons why discovering this island is a real pleasure.
Our centre on the island is Valle Gran Rey, a coastal resort about an hour’s drive from the capital of San Sebastian. Our hotel is situated on the seafront, a short distance from the beach and is close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Garajonay National Park. There are plenty of great walks from our hotel, enabling us to see the real beauty of the valleys and wonderful seascapes. Follow the path of mountain streams into fertile valleys bursting with lush vegetation and tropical mountain scenery, and across rugged volcanic mountains for unparalleled views across the island.
Our first and last nights are spent at a comfortable hotel in Costa Adeje, Tenerife. On our transfer days between islands, the planned ferry schedules allow us time to also have a walk, making the most of the hiking opportunities available.
Please note That some of the walks may be a little more challenging if the weather is inclement.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
The 4 star hotel H10 Taburiente Playa with its grand atrium and well appointed rooms is located on the seafront, 300m from Los Cancajos beach and has a wealth of amenities.
Hotel facilities include tennis courts, restaurants, bars, sauna, swimming pools (one heated all year round, towels provided), free wi-fi throughout and evening entertainment on some evenings.
Room facilities include en-suite, hairdryer, television, air conditioning, safe (charge payable locally) and telephone.
Our centre for this tour is the small seaside village of Los Cancajos. Close to the famous black sandy beaches, this area was once dominated by the salt pan industry, but now it’s a well located tourist resort with all amenities available.
There are beautiful views back to the interior of the island, also over to the historic capital Santa Cruz de La Palma and often it is possible to see Spain’s highest mountain, Teide, on the island of Tenerife. It is just five minutes by bus to the bustling capital where there are colonial buildings with tall wooden doors and colourful flower-laden balconies, along with shops selling local produce from the island. Whale watching and astronomy excursions are available from Los Cancajos, and these are often taken on a free day.
Located next to the sea on the Costa Adeje, and with direct access to La Enramada beach, the H10 Costa Adeje Palace is the ideal location. Featuring comfortable en suite rooms with their own terrace, a/c, TV, hairdryer and safe. You will also find a wide range of dining options. Although not our usual choice of hotel, due to its size, we stay at the H10 costa Adeje because it will be a quicker transfer to the ferry.
The Hotel Valle Gran Rey has an enviable position directly on the seashore, with views over the Atlantic and surrounding mountains. You can take a buffet breakfast on the top floor with the ocean stretching out in front of you. Another restaurant is where dinner is taken and you can also enjoy a rooftop swimming pool, sunbathing terrace or tennis court.
Trip Information
1st Week - In La Palma we only operate Grade 5 & 6
2nd Week - In La Gomera we only operate Grade 5
The walker’s haven that is La Palma offers a wide variety of walking which is perfect for our 2 Grade, 2 Leaders, 2 Walks option at a Grades 5 and 6. On the East of the island paths are greener through forests where on the West the island is much more barren.
Each day we will walk up to 6 hours with cumulative daily ascents and descents in the range of 750m depending on the grade of walk you choose to do. Some walks will have longer descents that can be towards 1000m especially on the Grade 6 walk. The paths we take are rough and steep at times, but will be taken at a pace appropriate to the grade of the walk. The higher the grade walking programmes the higher ascents and duration will be. It is important to note that some walks maybe difficult for those affected by vertigo. The maximum altitude reached on either grade is over 2,400m.
The wild landscapes of La Gomera make for interesting and varied walking. This is a Grade 5 moderate holiday which includes full day walks with moderate amounts of ascent and descents of 750m with some walks being very much at the top of the grade with longer descents. Our maximum altitude on this holiday is 1,500m, you might find yourself walking above the clouds. Given that the island is on a volcano the terrain is rugged and will require a head for heights. Paths are mostly good, but there will be some steep and rough ground.
Please see our Proposed Itinerary below for more walk examples.
Two Grades, Two Leaders, Two Walks
On ‘2x Walks, 2x Leaders, 2x Grades’ departures, where we provide two tour leaders and offer a choice of easier or harder walks each day, we hope to be able to accommodate your choice of walk. However, safety considerations do govern the sizes of groups in each walking grade; the minimum number of participants for a guided walk at a given grade and the maximum group size will be as indicated for the walk grade.
On most departures we are able to accommodate most clients' first choice of walk most of the time, however some flexibility and co-operation may be required. In unusual circumstances where a disproportionately high number of clients wish to walk at one grade, for safety reasons, we may not be able to provide you with your choice of walk each day. Although we will endeavour to accommodate as many clients’ choices as possible, it may be necessary for you to switch between higher and lower grade walks during the holiday. Any decision regarding group sizes and the participants in the day’s walking programme rests with our tour leader(s).
For safety reasons the minimum number of participants on a walk will be 4 plus the leader.
Local Transport Costs
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.
Currency in Spain
The currency in Spain is the euro.
Tipping
Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff and to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
Flights: London to La Palma return from Tenerife South (Reina Sofia). (Manchester flights may be available on some dates – please check at the time of booking).
Travel in the Canaries will be by ferry, road and on foot. Approximate journey times are as follows:
Travel on Tenerife to and from the airport will take around an hour by private transport.
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?
If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.
Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.
Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.
Regional Transfers
Regional Flights (R3). We offer regional flight options on this holiday and there will be one or two transfer vehicles between the airport and hotel to minimise any waiting time at the overseas airport on the outward or return journeys.
Luggage Allowance & Travel Documents
For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.
Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General passport advice for UK nationals on the UK Government website.
You must ensure you check all entry requirements in good time by reviewing the official FCDO advice for your destination. Please take time to read and regularly check this website for changes to the entry requirements and any local restrictions.
You may be required to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated when travelling or in your destination. Proof of vaccination can either be digital via the NHS app or a printed copy via NHS Hard Copy. We recommend allowing seven working days for your printed copy to arrive. Please note both the NHS app and printed copy are only valid for 30 days.
We anticipate that all travellers will need to be fully vaccinated including the booster jab and to carry proof of this with them at all times. Some indoor venues require, and may ask for proof of vaccination, as well as masks becoming mandatory for indoor public spaces, and we ask you to be prepared for this.
Some airlines or destinations are requiring the wearing of FFP2, FFP3, KN95 or N95 masks without a valve. You should check the FCDO advice for your destination and with your airline before you travel, although you may wish to have one of these masks on hand just in case.
Brexit Passport Advice
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must meet the Schengen area rules.
Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
The guidance for Schengen border guards may not be updated until the spring of 2022. Until then, for some Schengen countries your passport may need to be less than 10 years old during your whole visit, and the 3 months at the end of your visit may need to be within 10 years of your passport’s issue date.
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
Non British Passport holders should consult the host country’s embassy for applicable passport and visa entry requirements.
Breakfasts and dinners are included with dinners being taken in the hotel every night in La Palma and La Gomera.
Lunches are not included but there are a wide range of supermarkets and bakery's in the nearby town centre to buy lunch provisions. Sometimes a walk will have a nice cafe on route to use for a bite to eat, your leader will tell you more at the evening briefings if this is an option.
Footwear
Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks.
General Kit List
Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.
If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Electricity in Spain
Electricity is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Maps, Guidebooks & More
La Palma maps & guidebooks:
There is lots of literature that can help benefit your holiday.
Useful websites are:
www.spain.info
www.hellocanaryislands.com/la-palma
www.canaryislandsinfo.co.uk/la-palma/
Useful Maps:
1:30,000 Freytag and Berndt Hiking and Leisure map WKE2
1:50,000 Kompass
1:40000 Tour and Trail map (9/2017)
Useful guidebooks are:
La Gomera Maps:
A great book to look at for inspiration is the La Gomera the Rother Walking Guide available from Amazon and other bookstores. The Spain Tourist Office website may also be useful in planning your trip www.spain.info
The Map Shop
If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend:
The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England
Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: themapshop@btinternet.com
If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Health Advice for Spain
No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Spain. You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK. Tetanus immunisation is recommended.
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
It is a condition of booking with Ramblers Walking Holidays that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the trip, including all optional activities.
Your travel insurance policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. Please ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are walking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Medical and repatriation insurance cover are not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.
Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.
Covid-19 Cover
If you should have symptoms and test positive for Covid-19 whilst abroad, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative and you may have to seek treatment. We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy that covers you for this eventuality.
Looking for travel insurance?
If you have not already arranged cover, please visit SunWorld who offer travel insurance.
SunWorld policies include cover for COVID-19, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
EHIC & GHIC Cards
From January 1st, 2021 UK travellers can continue to use their European Heath Insurance Card (EHIC) – which can last up to five years, until its expiry date, to gain access to medical assistance during your holiday. However, you will no longer be covered in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Travellers without a valid EHIC can apply for a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will replaces the EHIC once it has been phased out. Please note however that the EHIC/GHIC should not be considered a substitute for medical or travel insurance.
For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/ehic
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
Reviews
Useful Information
Capital
Currency
Language
Time Difference
Flight duration
Visas and Passports
January
Avg. Rain: 49mm
February
Avg. Rain: 57mm
March
Avg. Rain: 33mm
April
Avg. Rain: 19mm
May
Avg. Rain: 7mm
June
Avg. Rain: 2mm
July
Avg. Rain: 1mm
August
Avg. Rain: 1mm
September
Avg. Rain: 12mm
October
Avg. Rain: 41mm
November
Avg. Rain: 70mm
December
Avg. Rain: 80mm
Capital
Currency
Language
Time Difference
Flight duration
Visas and Passports
January
Avg. Rain: 44mm
February
Avg. Rain: 38mm
March
Avg. Rain: 28mm
April
Avg. Rain: 13mm
May
Avg. Rain: 4mm
June
Avg. Rain: 2mm
July
Avg. Rain: 0mm
August
Avg. Rain: 0mm
September
Avg. Rain: 3mm
October
Avg. Rain: 29mm
November
Avg. Rain: 49mm
December
Avg. Rain: 56mm
Capital
Currency
Language
Time Difference
Flight duration
Visas and Passports
January
Avg. Rain: 160mm
February
Avg. Rain: 148mm
March
Avg. Rain: 140mm
April
Avg. Rain: 159mm
May
Avg. Rain: 132mm
June
Avg. Rain: 99mm
July
Avg. Rain: 90mm
August
Avg. Rain: 105mm
September
Avg. Rain: 115mm
October
Avg. Rain: 145mm
November
Avg. Rain: 165mm
December
Avg. Rain: 139mm
View Dates & Book
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