Valle Gran Rey 
Valle Gran Rey - Overview:
Valle Gran Rey, located in the south west of La Gomera, is one of the most impressive and beautiful ravines in the island. Here the Gomera islanders have created a unique landscape by transforming the hillsides into terraces to grow crops and tropical fruits. As you descend into the valley down the dramatic mountainside, clusters of little red-roof houses and groups of Canarian palm trees provide stunning scenery.
Throughout Valle Gran Rey the atmosphere is very authentic Canarian, without the feeling you are in a package holiday resort. There are some comfortable holiday apartments with swimming pools and a modern hotel. We consider this a perfect base for walking, exploring the Parque Nacional and for swimming and sunbathing by the sea as the climate in this area of La Gomera is generally sunny.
Valle Gran Rey - Las Vueltas:
Where the valley meets the sea it opens out into a bay with banana plantations and a few black sand beaches. Here, Las Vueltas, a small La Gomeran fishing port with a thriving fishing harbour, offers a good selection of shops, banks, a fitness centre, local bars and restaurants serving fresh fish.
Valle Gran Rey - Activities:
Apart from excellent natural La Gomnera scenery to explore (either walking, trekking or cycling), you can take a boat trip from Las Vueltas to watch the dolphins playing in their natural Atlantic habitat or to view the dramatic rock formations and cliffs of La Gomera's coastline.
Valle Gran Rey - Geography & History:
The community of Valle Gran Rey was the ancient canton of Orone, where the most powerful indigenous kings lived, and you can still find today many relics of this past. Following the conquest, the colonisation started in the higher part of the valley, and the Counts of La Gomera turned it into one of their main residences.
In 1812, it was separated from Chipude, and the capital of the area was created in Arure from which the commune took its name. Occupation of the lower part, the proper valley, didn't start until the second half of 18th century. The population increased when they introduced the cultivation of banana trees and tomatoes for exportation. This started an impressive economic and demographic rise in the coastal area where Vueltas and La Calera were situated. Nowadays most of the local people live on the slopes of the ravine, between small gardens and palm-trees that make it an enchanting landscape.
Valle Gran Rey - Villages Out & About:
Situated Above the valley are the villages of Taguluche, Las Hayas and Arure, the last two on the edge of the Garajonay National Park. Steep slopes with deep ravines and vertical cliffs, such as La Merica, inhibited communications until recently. For centuries, there were only abrupt and windy pathes, that have now become a real treat for hikers.
The traditional industry here is again agriculture and fishing, with families feeding from a rich source of locally grown potatoes, beans, squash, grown on the small banks of the upper part of the valley. Here the palm trees are not just pleasing to the eye but have an economic importance as they are also used for their dates, and moreover for the extraction of guarapo and the utilisation of their palms.
During the past few decades the traditional agriculture and fishing industries of the Valle Gran Rey have largely lost their importance, becoming secondary to tourism. This is mainly due to the area's delightfully sunny climate, its beaches (La Playa, Playa del Ingles and Araga) and its wonderful scenery. There is also a wide selection of charming properties available to stay in, courtesy of rural houses left vacant by mass emigration following the agricultural crisis in the 1960s and 1970s. Despite this increase in tourism, the whole of the Valle Gran Rey, and indeed La Gomera, has retained it authentic Canarian atmosphere and way of life.
Valle Gran Rey - Our holiday accommodation and service:
If you travel with secretdestinations.com holidays you can choose from many hand picked hotels, privately owned holiday apartments and villas with pools in privileged secluded destinations in La Gomera, including Valle Gran Rey, in beautiful coastal, rural, mountain locations with an authentic taste of unspoiled la Gomera.
Additionally, all of the Canary Islands are ideal for a spot of winter sun. So if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling or trekking, exploring the Valle Gran Rey, or simply sunbathing or relaxing amid forest and mountains, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with Canaries flights to La Gomera (via Tenerife), ferry travel and island car hire.
