As a destination, La Calera combines a specifically identified hiking stage with local history. Stage 5 of the Camino Natural Costas de La Gomera begins here; its length and described route provide a clear framework for hiking. Traditional architecture, the Ermita de los Santos Reyes and an ethnographic museum offer further perspectives on the place.
Stage 5: Length and Route
The stage is 16.5 km long and begins at a small parking area beside the main road, CV-7. It runs across the valley floor through dense thickets of reeds. These details answer different planning questions: the distance gives the stage’s length, the parking area marks the start, and the valley floor and reed thickets characterize the landscape along the route. If you are considering hiking as a main focus, you can look at these details separately: the distance gives a specific measure of the route, while the landscape details describe it more closely.
Traditional Architecture and Local History
La Calera’s traditional architecture can be seen in its flower-adorned lanes, which are reminiscent of Arab quarters. This draws attention to the character of the village as a whole, rather than just a single building. Historically, La Calera was the most important settlement in Valle Gran Rey. This former role gives the interest in its architecture a historical context and places the village’s history within Valle Gran Rey.
Ermita de los Santos Reyes
The Ermita de los Santos Reyes has a history dating back to the 16th century, while the current building dates from the early 20th century. The long history of the hermitage and the age of the present building are therefore clearly distinct. The square at the hermitage also has a historical function: in the past, changes to irrigation times were marked there. This detail expands the perspective from the building’s history to the former organization of irrigation.
Tienda Museo La Alameda
The Tienda Museo La Alameda is located in the La Calera district of Valle Gran Rey, in the preserved and repurposed former shop of Salvador Casanova Roldán. The museum offers an opportunity to learn about the ethnography of the island of La Gomera. This connects the rooms’ former use as a shop with the island’s ethnographic heritage. Its location in La Calera and its focus on La Gomera bring together two scales: a specific place within the district and the island as a subject to explore.
La Calera Beach
La Calera Beach is in Valle Gran Rey, between steep cliffs and banana plantations. These two features describe the beach’s landscape and give the coastal setting its own character. When weighing up your travel interests, you can consider the beach as a focus alongside hiking and local history.
Choosing Between Hiking and Cultural Interests
To choose what to focus on, the topics can be distinguished by type: the stage has a specific distance of 16.5 km, while the cultural themes offer a perspective through time, with the history of the hermitage and the square’s former function. The beach adds the coastal landscape between steep cliffs and banana plantations to the options.
For an overview of the wider destination: Valle Gran Rey.
