Choose your island

The Canaries each have something special to offer the weary traveller

- MATTHEW HIRTESY

Observatorio Astrofisico Roque de Los Muchachos on La Palma

Best for hiking: La Gomera

There are no direct flights from the UK to La Gomera, so many visit on a day trip from neighbouring Tenerife. While there, you should head into the interior and explore Europe's Amazonia on foot. The Garajonay National Park is an enchanting Atlantic rainforest that takes up one-third of the island and accommodates 18 numbered trails. Named after the Canary Islands' version of Romeo and Juliet, Gara and, yes, Jonay, this is also home to La Gomera's highest peak. Ascending 1487m above sea level offers a great vantage point to appreciate the island group as a whole.

The longest route through this UNESCO World Heritage site is number 18. It's also known as Gran Ruta Circular Garajonay. Allow around four hours to complete this 16-km trek. When you reach La Gomera's central summit, Los Altos de Garajonay, you will be following in the footsteps of the Berber-descending natives who occupied island before the 15th-century Castilian conquest. This place had spiritual significance to them and they would assemble here to pray to their gods. Later, when the Spanish invaded, they would use it as refuge to hide from those seeking to enslave them.

Hiking in La Gomera's Garajonay National Park

Best for stargazing: La Palma