This beautiful hike takes you through a variety of different mountain-valley landscapes. The forest is home to the tall, stately Canary laurel tree (they grow up to 25 meters) which earned the name “the ebony of the Canaries” because of the colour of the wood. The trees were used to make plenty of furniture and as a result, there aren’t very many of them left.
As you go farther along the mountain trail and stream, you’ll notice that the forest changes and becomes more humid. The bramble gives way to ferns and thicker forest. The hike isn’t too strenuous in terms of the terrain or altitude but around the halfway point, you’ll find yourself at a popular lunch spot called Somada Alta with fantastic panoramic views.
ARRIVE
Situated on the LP-1 highway in the north east of the island, the starting point for Cubo de la Galga is easy to spot. Pull over at the Environmental Information Point to get a map and information about the different hikes. The longest hike isn’t very strenuous and can be completed in about three or four hours, so if you have the time, I recommend it.
PACK
Do come prepared with water, a packed lunch and snacks as there aren’t shops or restaurants along the route. It can get chilly in the forest even though it’s sheltered from wind, so bring a windbreaker / anorak.
