La Gomera Packing List
What to pack for La Gomera — light hotel-based kit for GR131 and GR132, sun protection, 3L water and trekking poles on volcanic island trails.
Hiked by Lee
Self-guided
Last verified
La Gomera is hotel-to-hotel hiking — no tent, no sleeping bag. You carry a light daypack through relentless volcanic climbs and exposed coastal heat. Lee's February solo trip combined GR131 + GR132 over 5 days.
Also read: Complete Guide · Cost guide · Trek overview
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Packing rules for La Gomera
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| Pack light | Hotels nightly — every gram hurts on steep climbs |
| Sun protection | Lee was sunburned despite daily sunscreen |
| 2–3 L water | Limited refill points on exposed stages |
| Trekking poles | Brutal descents destroyed knees by Day 3 |
| Offline maps | Signal dies in Garajonay mountains |
| No camping gear | Official camping not permitted |
Daypack
25–35 L for water, layers, snacks and rain shell. Leave main bag at hotel or pack ultralight if moving bags daily.
Footwear
Trail runners or broken-in hiking shoes — rocky volcanic paths and long descents. Broken-in boots beat stiff new pairs on Day 1's 30 km.
Clothing & sun protection
- Lightweight breathable shirts and hiking pants
- Light fleece or wind layer for Garajonay mist
- Rain shell — fog rolls in unexpectedly
- Wide-brim cap, SPF 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses
- Buff for sun and wind
Even in February, Lee was in a t-shirt and sweating constantly on climbs.
Trekking poles & navigation
Essential for descents to La Playa and long coastal drops — knees will thank you.
Download offline GPX before leaving San Sebastián — Lee got lost multiple times despite waymarks.
Water & hydration
- 2–3 L capacity on long exposed stages
- Electrolyte tablets for heat days
- Collapsible bottle for café refills in villages
Day 5 heat exhaustion — Lee wished he'd carried more water.
Electronics & extras
- Power bank — inconsistent signal drains battery searching for GPS
- Headlamp for pre-sunrise starts (Day 1 left before dawn)
- Cash (EUR) for buses, taxis and small village shops
- Blister kit — long descents are punishing
What you don't need
- Tent, sleeping bag, stove
- Heavy insulated alpine kit (unless winter high camps)
- Camping food for multiple days
Related planning
- Itinerary — 5-day stages
- Accommodation — hotel nights
- Difficulty — heat and elevation
- Food guide — village meals
Next guide
Getting to La Gomera: Ferry, Tenerife & San Sebastián
How to reach La Gomera — fly to Tenerife, ferry to San Sebastián, island buses and no car needed for GR131 and GR132 through-hike.
Next step
Build your packing list
Use the interactive planner — same trek data as this guide cluster.