{"id":670726,"date":"2022-06-03T19:32:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-03T16:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=670726"},"modified":"2022-06-03T19:46:53","modified_gmt":"2022-06-03T16:46:53","slug":"garajonay-national-park-in-spain-description-photo-how-to-get","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/garajonay-national-park-in-spain-description-photo-how-to-get\/","title":{"rendered":"Garajonay National Park in Spain: description, photo, how to get"},"content":{"rendered":"

If the Canary Island<\/a>s themselves are a unique<\/a> place, then the sights<\/a> located on them can rightfully be called the most amazing on our plane<\/a>t. And special attention to all visitors to these amazing resorts of the Atlantic basin should be given to the most beautiful and unique park called Garajonay.<\/p>\n

UNESCO heritage<\/h2>\n

The park was awarded such a high status in 1986. And there are several reasons<\/a> for that. Resea<\/a>rchers of this part<\/a> of the land found that it was here that unique laurel forest<\/a>s were preserved, which more than 2 million years ago covered a huge part of continental Europe<\/a>. With the onset of the last glacial period, green massifs almost completely disappeared and are found only in such paradises.<\/p>\n

Another prerequisite for the inclusion of this national park<\/a> in the World<\/a> Heritage List<\/a> was the unique endemicity<\/a>. It turned out that unique animals live in the park, which cannot be found in other parts of the world. Of course, this is due to the unique vegetation. And one more important detail. Although the island<\/a> is of volcanic origin, there are no traces of volcanic activity on its territory.<\/p>\n

origin of name<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Agree, the name Garajonay sounds somehow unusual, even for Spain<\/a>. There is a legend that the park was named after the young Prince Honay and Princess Gara, whose love story is very similar to the story of Rome<\/a>o and Juliet. Young lovers did not find support from their parents and decided to commit suicide. According to another interpretation, the families of the lovers nevertheless gave their consent to the marriage, but on the eve of the engagement, a volcano woke up. This was considered an unkind sign and they decided to cancel the wedding. The outcome of history<\/a> is always sad.<\/p>\n

There is another unique fact that inscribed the name of the island in the history<\/a> of mankind. The fact is that it was from its shores that the famous navigator Columbus<\/a> sailed, shortly before he discovered a new continent, which today is called America. The ancient church has also been preserved, from the source of which the discoverer drew holy water to baptize new lands.<\/p>\n

Description<\/a> of the park<\/h2>\n

\"Garajonay<\/a><\/p>\n

The basis of the park, in addition to the unique green vegetation, is a mountain range. The highest point is located<\/a> at an altitude of 1487 meters above sea<\/a> level.<\/p>\n

Despite the fact that there is another nature park on the island – Puntallana – it is Garajonay that is especially popular among tour<\/a>ists and naturalist<\/a>s. Crowds of visitors gather in groups and spend hours photo<\/a>graphing the beautiful landscapes of the park. Rocky, brightly vegetated ledges, as well as gloomy laurel forest<\/a>s, are increasingly replenishing the removable media of visitors' cameras. But not everyone dares to go far into the depths. And this is facilitated by numerous tales that can be heard from local reside<\/a>nts and according to which spirits live in the forest<\/a>s and if someone is in their power, he will never be released back home.<\/p>\n

\"Garajonay<\/a><\/p>\n

In fact, the entire territory of the park is impenetrable jungle. Moderate temperatures and high humidity, supported by systematic rains and fogs, allow most plants to survive. Thanks to this, laurel trees are able to reach a height of up to 40 meters, and their spreading crowns almost completely block the access of sunlight to the surface of the earth. That is why it see<\/a>ms so gloomy in this evergreen jungle.<\/p>\n

The total area<\/a> of \u200b\u200bthe protected park is 4 thousa<\/a>nd hectares or more than 1\/10 of the entire area of \u200b\u200bLa Gomera. If you want to get a glimpse of north<\/a>ern Africa or pre-Ice Age mainland Europe<\/a>, this Spanish park is definitely worth a visit. Most of the plants encountered first appeared on these continents and represented an impenetrable thicket. That is why many scientists do not hesitate to call the park a “living fossil” and a “museum of laurel forests.”<\/p>\n

\"Garajonay<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite the clear predominance of laurel trees among the vegetation, other rare representatives of the flora are also found in the park. Researchers claim that more than 2,000 species of a wide variety of plants are concentrated on a vast territory. Among especially rare species, it is worth highlighting such trees and shrubs as tree heather, waxwort, Indian perseus, till and many others. By the way, the last of the mentioned trees can grow up to 35 meters in height.<\/p>\n

Complements the local “green” beauty and a network of streams that form an extensive water system. And among the representatives of the fauna you can also often find little-known species of birds, insects and even reptiles. Many of them until recently were considered extinct, some were not list<\/a>ed in reference books and scientific manuals on zoology.<\/p>\n

Tour<\/a>ism<\/h2>\n

\"Garajonay<\/a><\/p>\n

The Garajonay National Park invites everyone to plunge into the amazing world of flora and fauna, spend part of their vacation<\/a> in the tenacious embrace of the mountain range and laurel jungle, breathe in the cleanest air and enjoy unique views of the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n

For this, an extensive network of viewing platforms, information center<\/a>s and hotel<\/a>s has been created, which allows tourists<\/a> to spend time not only with taste, but also with benefit. Experienced guides will show you the most picturesque places<\/a> on the island, lead you to the most amazing corners of the park and allow everyone to get acquainted with a real natural pearl.<\/p>\n

\"Garajonay<\/a><\/p>\n

How to<\/a> get there<\/a><\/h2>\n

The attraction is located in the very center<\/a> of La Gomera, about 15 km from its capital – San Sebastian de La Gomera. You can get to the island from Tenerife<\/a> by ferry. The ships depart three times a day, and the ticket price for adults will be 70 euros. If there are young travel<\/a>ers with you, then the fare for them will cost 35 euros.<\/p>\n