The National Park of Garajonay in the mountainous heart of the Canary island of La Gomera, is home to the finest laurel forest in the world. This moist, shady, subtropical evergreen forest has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco due to its size and state of conservation and, of course, the botanical diversity it offers.

This virgin forest, blessed by the trade winds and embellished by eroded rocks, is one of the last vestiges of the ancient subtropical rain forest that grew in the Mediterranean area millions of years ago. Unspoiled, shrouded in mist and brimming with magic and legend, it is a veritable paradise for hikers.

The walker will probably start out on a fine, sunny day, only to find himself, just moments later, enveloped in dense mist. This mist, though, is the best lens through which to appreciate the magic of the forest in all its splendour. The tortuous trunks of trees, the greenness that seeps into and over everything and the smell of moss and decaying wood ignite the imagination, conjuring local legends and hinting at hidden presences.

The trickle of cool water will accompany the hikers along almost the entire route; this is the river Cedro which descends between lichens and ferns. This murmur and the greater silence is the perfect company to appreciate the sound of the forest.