European mountains
La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain

Lomo de Harinero, 861m
Montaña Del Adivino, 722m
Montaña de Guergenche (Las Pilas), 661m

+ Barranco de Argaga
 

See also the La Gomera index page for a list of all tops visited. Also note that mountain elevations have been taken from the TOPO_España Insular y Ciudades de Ceuta y Melilla GPS map.

The peaks

Lomo de Harinero, Montaña Del Adivino and Montaña de Guergenche (Las Pilas) are the main tops on the ridge on the east side of Valle Gran Rey. This ridge rises steeply from Playa de Argaga by the sea and continues to rise towards the town El Cercado - on the island's high plateau. There are a few routes up from the valley, and this page will describe the path from El Guro / Casa de la Seda. None of the tops are difficult to reach, but Lomo de Harinero may require use of hands - all depending on your choice of route.

The ridge, as seen from Lomo de Harinero
(Click for larger image)

Barranco de Argaga

Barranco de Argaga is an impressive canyon (or gorge) east of the Lomo de Harinero - Montaña de Guergenche / Teguergenche ridge, and drops steeply towards the Playa de Argaga bay. Guidebooks recommend that you ascend this canyon - and certainly not descend it. But this site claims that avid hikers (with some scrambling experience) will have no problems descending along this route. That does not mean that the route isn't dangerous. In places, it is, but there are no "technically" difficult sections.

Barranco de Argaga (upper part)
(Click for larger image)

Heights & Primary factor:

The mountain heights vary depending on which map you have. Below is a table of heights, collected from various sources. The Garmin GPS map has been chosen as source for computing the primary factors.

Throughout our stay, personal GPS readings were in average 10-13m above the map heights. Even at sea level, the GPS read 10-13m. This may indicate that the GEOID model is not very accurate for this island.

Lomo de Harinero (Garmin GPS: 861m, N28.09489 W17.32440) has a primary factor of 73m towards the higher plateau to the north and east. The defining saddle (approx. N28.10938 W17.30540) is found just north of Lomo de Harinero. The saddle height is 788m on the Garmin map.

Montaña Del Adivino (Garmin GPS: 722m, N28.10076 W17.31802) has a primary factor of 62m towards the higher parent Lomo de Harinero. The defining saddle (approx. N28.10277 W17.31420) is found 440m northeast of Montaña Del Adivino. The saddle height is 660m on the Garmin map.

Montaña de Guergenche (Garmin GPS: 661m, N28.09489 W17.32440) has a primary factor of 85m towards the higher parent Montaña Del Adivino. The defining saddle (approx. N28.09676 W17.32179) is found 330m northeast of Montaña Del Adivino. The saddle height is 576m on the Garmin map.

Lomo de Harinero
(Click for larger image)

Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
 

Trail descriptions

The normal way to get to La Gomera, is to fly to Tenerife and take a jetfoil or ferry from Los Cristianos. Some ferries only run to San Sebastian de la Gomera, while others stop by San Sebastian and Playa de Santiago before arriving at Vueltas in Valle Gran Rey.

These route description are valid per Jan 2010. All distances are approx.

Access

The starting point is by the main road in El Guro in Valle Gran Rey. Ask around for the pedestrian road that takes you through an orchard and to the foot of the mountain - and at the head of a distinct gully. Head up a stairway, then make a left turn. Follow the trail 340m to the northwest, where you'll see the El Cercado signpost. Turn right here (the trail continues to Chelé), and follow the path all the way up to the ridge - approx 680m elev. Watch out for rock fall from goats and sheep...

The route

Lomo de Harinero:

The route - as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)

On the ridge, turn left (north) and continue towards Lomo de Harinero. You can either stick to the ridge crest route (off-trail) or walk further down to the right. After 260m (distance), you might come across a rocky stairway. Pass the ridge "towers" on the right-hand side and find the best route through bush and cactuses. When you are just south of the summit, then find the best route upwards (easy scrambling may be required). The summit is easiest reached from the east. The summit is marked by a small cairn.

Montaña Del Adivino & Montaña de Guergenche (Las Pilas):

The route - as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)

Return to the pass where you arrived on the ridge and follow the path in the southwest direction. 470m from the pass, look for a (vague) path that you follow in the direction of Montaña Del Adivino (expect off-trail sections on the way upwards). The summit is not marked.

Continue off-trail across Montaña Del Adivino and descend towards the path you left, which continues to Montaña de Guergenche (Las Pilas). The path runs up to point 643m, which is NOT the high point on this mountain. If you want to visit the actual top, then go 320m north of point 643m. The high point is not marked, and has a nice view towards La Playa by the shore. 

Barranco de Argaga:

The route - as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)

Again - most literature recommend you do not descend this route, but if you absolutely have to;

Descend to the pass between Montaña Del Adivino and Montaña de Guergenche. Take the time to look for a vague path that descends straight south into the canyon. The terrain is not difficult, but some parts are a bit steep, so step carefully. Once in the canyon, ascend to the east until you join the canyon trail.

There is only one steep section, and you need to make sure you're on the (marked) trail at all times. Caution solves all potential problems.

Follow the canyon trail all the way down to Playa de Argaga and (later on) Vuelta. If you left your car at El Guro, then a plan for transport is recommended. If you decide to hike, the distance up to El Guro is approx. 3km.

Pictures and Trip reports:

• Lomo de Harinero, Montaña Del Adivino, Montaña de Guergenche, Barranco de Argaga , Jan 2 2010

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