In January 2026, the Mirador de El Santo was closed and access to the GR-132 was prohibited (from the Arure side).
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Taguluche and the Mirador de El Santo – remote valley and fantastic viewpoint
The small village of Taguluche, situated deep within a ravine, is one of the quietest and most unspoilt places on La Gomera. Nestled into the steep slopes of a deeply incised barranco, the cluster of small houses lies among centuries-old terraced fields where grain, potatoes, and palms were once cultivated. Its secluded location has helped Taguluche preserve its authentic character to this day. Those who reach the village experience an almost timeless atmosphere, shaped by palm groves, dry-stone walls, and the impressive silence of the surrounding mountain landscape.
Map
High above the wild ravines and the rugged west coast lies the Mirador de El Santo one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the island. From here, a wide panorama opens up over the steep mountain slopes, the green terraces, and the Atlantic Ocean shimmering far below. Particularly striking is the contrast between the barren, rocky landscape and the surprisingly fertile valleys. The mirador is one of the finest places to experience the wild and unspoilt side of La Gomera. Unfortunately, the Mirador de El Santo was closed in January 2026, and I very much hope it will reopen soon.
Ascent towards Arure and Mirador de El Santo through the spruce forest
Hike from Alojera to Taguluche and back via the Mirador de El Santo
The walk begins in Alojera. From there, you first ascend the long-distance footpath GR-132 above the Barranco del Mono. At around 550 metres of elevation, you reach the Carretera General Taguluche, which you cross. Shortly afterwards, you leave the GR-132 and descend for quite some time into the Barranco Taguluche. The route follows narrow hiking paths through impressive natural surroundings with magnificent views of Taguluche and the Atlantic below you. Once you reach the small village of Taguluche, you may take some time to look around. The steep ascent path then begins.
Hiking trail through Taguluche
At first, you climb steeply uphill to the right of Taguluche and its terraced fields. Then you cross the wide ravine below the rock face. This is followed by a fairly steep ascent between high rock walls through woodland. At around 800 metres elevation, you finally rejoin the GR-132. You follow this path to the Mirador de El Santo, where you can enjoy a fantastic view. Afterwards, the route continues along the GR-132 beside the large rock faces on the return journey. A long traversing path with wonderful views awaits you. After descending, the circular route eventually brings you back to your starting point in Alojera.
Track of the hike Alojera - Taguluche - Mirador de El Santo (Arure) - Alojera
General information about the Taguluche circular walk
Starting point and directions
The starting point of the walk is on the road Caserio Lomo del Balo in Alojera. At the end of the road there is a small open area. The walk begins there.
Getting there by car
You descend to Alojera via road CV-16. At the large bus stop in a bend, turn left onto the road Caserío Lomo del Balo. This road leads uphill through the village. At the point where the asphalt ends and the road becomes a track, you can stop. There is sufficient space there to park vehicles.
Getting there by bus
Bus line 5 runs from Vallehermoso to Alojera. Further information and details about bus services on La Gomera can be found on the Guaguagomera website.
From the bus stop on the CV-16, it is approximately 1 kilometre to the starting point of the walk. Simply follow the signposted GR-132 footpath.
Time
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Sign up nowI am generally reluctant to give fixed times for walking routes, as they vary greatly from person to person. We needed about 6 hours for this circular walk, including several breaks.
Elevation profile of the hike Alojera - Taguluche - Mirador de El Santo (Arure) - Alojera
Elevation gain and distance
The elevation gain is approximately 1,100 metres, and the distance is about 13 kilometres.
Requirements
Throughout the entire route, you walk on signposted hiking paths. For the traverse from the Mirador de El Santo along the rock face, a head for heights and sure-footedness are essential.
Refreshment stops
Refreshments are only available at the starting point in Alojera and via a detour to Arure. Therefore, be sure to carry sufficient water and, if necessary, food.
Track of the hike Alojera - Taguluche - Mirador del Santo (Arure) - Alojera. The GR-132 is marked in blue and runs alongside the hiking trail here.
Variants
The walk can be shortened by taking a different, more direct ascent route from Taguluche that leads straight to the Mirador de El Santo. I have not yet walked this route myself, but it is said to be very steep and frequently exposed. Therefore, it is suitable only for the adventurous.
Small sections of the walk follow the long-distance path GR-132. More information about this section of the Vallehermoso–Valle Gran Rey long-distance route can be found here.
Further walks nearby on SiebenInseln:
Hiker at Mirador de El Santo (Arure) with fantastic views
Circular hike Alojera – Taguluche – Mirador de El Santo
Section: Alojera to the road above Taguluche
The starting point of the walk is at the end of Lomo del Balo road between large water reservoirs. Straight ahead, a concrete track continues. However, at this point you keep to the right and follow the slightly hidden sign for the hiking path uphill. You pass several houses on the left and very soon reach terraced fields. At first, the path climbs only gently along the slope. You cross a small ravine (Barranco del Mono). Then, on the far side of the ravine, the ascent begins. Initially, the path leads you quite steeply up along a ridge. Near the Mirador Tejeleche, you cross the Carretera General Taguluche.
View from the ascent and descent path to Alojera
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Sign up nowThe ascent continues on the other side of the road. However, after a short distance, the path forks. The GR-132 continues uphill to the left. This is where you will return later. For now, however, you turn right and descend towards Taguluche. The hiking path is well signposted and mostly runs close to the Carretera Taguluche, cutting across the road’s wide bends via smaller ravine crossings. After some time, you cross the road once more and shortly afterwards pass the Taguluche cemetery. With two further small ravine crossings and magnificent views, the path continues downhill. Near a large reservoir, you reach the road to Taguluche again.
Cemetery on the descent trail to Taguluche
Section: Road above Taguluche to the end of the road and start of the ascent path
You now follow the road to the right and continue downhill for a short distance. At the first sharp right-hand bend, leave the road and continue straight downhill on the hiking path. After a short while, you reach another road from Taguluche. You are now in the middle of the small hamlet of Taguluche and could take a short detour to the right to view its few houses. Ahead of you lies the Atlantic, while impressive rock walls rise steeply on both sides. However, your hiking path continues a little further downhill.
Hike through Taguluche
You walk past the houses of the small settlement. High above you on the right, you can see the Ermita de San Salvador, which can be reached via a road. From there, you can also descend further to the beach. However, the circular route now brings you back to the main road, which you follow briefly to the left. It ends at the last houses of Taguluche. Shortly before this point, the ascent path towards the Mirador de El Santo via Lomo del Carretón begins.
View of the Taguluche valley with the Ermita de San Salvador (centre of the picture at the top of the mountain)
Section: Beginning of the ascent path to the GR-132
You follow a signposted hiking path that branches off to the left just before the very last houses on the road. It climbs steeply uphill past terraced fields and through – at least in January 2026 – green landscapes. You begin at 150 metres elevation and quickly climb higher, with a barranco on your right and the massive rock face above you on the left. At 340 metres elevation, the path turns slightly left and crosses the ravine. Once on the other side, the ascent becomes even steeper, climbing in tight switchbacks. You initially head directly towards the Mirador de El Santo, which you can see high above you. However, at 540 metres elevation, the path turns southwards.
Start of the ascent path at Taguluche
With beautiful views back towards Taguluche and the surrounding mountains, you continue beneath the steep cliffs of Lomo del Carretón. You cross the ravine and enter wooded terrain. There, the path climbs steeply again in switchbacks close to the rock face through the forest. The ascent continues even after leaving the forest. The path then bends left and runs below a farm. You pass it on the right and shortly afterwards rejoin the main GR-132 hiking path at 836 metres elevation.
View of Taguluche from the ascent path
Section: GR-132 to Alojera
Follow the GR-132 long-distance footpath, also called Camino El Santo at this point, to the left. It leads you along a broad track towards Arure. Shortly before the first houses of Arure, you reach the Mirador de El Santo, from where you can enjoy wonderful views over the entire Taguluche valley and the surrounding heights. From here, simply continue following the GR-132, which continues beyond the mirador.
View from the hiking trail along the rock face
This is followed by a very long traverse along the impressive rock face, offering incomparable views. The path rises and falls along Lomo del Carretón towards the north. Gradually, you also begin descending slightly. At around 770 metres elevation, the path turns definitively downhill and leads you through the forest in several switchbacks. You cross a small ravine and continue descending. The forest becomes more open, and you reach a ridge at the point where you previously turned right towards Taguluche on the outward journey. Now turn right towards the road and return to Alojera via the same path you used on the ascent.
Hikers on the hiking trail from Mirador de El Santo towards Alojera in front of the rock massif
And finally
I hope you enjoyed this truly varied and scenic circular walk from Alojera to Taguluche and back via the Mirador de El Santo. Wherever your walks may take you, I wish you great pleasure on all your journeys.
Dagmar from SiebenInseln
Descent path down from the rock face
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