I have collected some frequently asked questions about hiking the Masca Gorge.
The village of Masca is located in a valley between the Mirador de Cherfe (Guergues Ridge) and the Cruz de Hilda (Fortaleza Ridge). This valley includes the famous Barranco de Masca, a roughly 5 km long route that runs from the village down to the ocean. In English, this landform is best described as the Masca Gorge.
According to the geographical glossary, a gorge is defined as “a very deep and extremely narrow, often steep- or vertical-sided, incised valley.” The Barranco de Masca fits this definition perfectly.
No permit is required to walk around the village itself. Visitors arriving in Masca may park for a maximum of 2 hours in the parking spaces marked with blue lines.
The Masca Valley refers to the entire area lying between the two mountain ridges. The Masca Gorge, on the other hand, is the hiking route that descends from the village down toward the ocean. Access to the gorge is only possible with a prior permit.
Yes.
You may park for a maximum of 2 hours in spaces marked with blue lines.
Stopping or parking on yellow lines is strictly forbidden, and the road must not be blocked in any way. This also means that stopping on white lines along the roadside is not allowed.
Unfortunately, experience shows that once one person parks illegally, others follow, resulting in cars lining the road. When the police arrive, everyone receives a “gift package” — in other words, a fine.
No.
If you plan to hike in the Masca Valley, you are not allowed to access Masca village by car. The reason is simple: if you leave your car there for half a day, no one else will be able to park.
You must park your car in Santiago del Teide. From there, you continue by local bus operated by TITSA, which runs more frequently during the gorge’s opening hours.
Using the bus is mandatory, and tickets are checked at the entrance.
If you arrive at the gorge by any other means, entry may be denied.
No.
After arriving in Masca village by the mandatory bus, you must find the visitor center and register.
You will need:
a pre-purchased entrance ticket
a valid ID card or passport
proper hiking footwear
Without these, entry will be refused.
If you do not have suitable footwear, you can purchase hiking shoes in the local shop — an entire small “business niche” has developed around this.
If there is any doubt, the guard at the entrance will check the type of shoe and may open the manufacturer’s official website.
If the shoes are designed for hiking, you will be allowed in.
If they are not intended for hiking, entry will be denied.
Not particularly.
Distance: 5 km
Elevation change: approx. 650 m downhill
Duration: on average 3–4 hours
Some people complete it in 1.5–2 hours, while those who stop frequently to take photos should plan on 3–4 hours.
No.
Currently, hiking both down and up is only permitted in special cases and only with a licensed guide.
The reason is safety. The local authorities have determined that spending less time in the gorge reduces the risk of accidents caused by falling rocks.
You may find this amusing now, but you won’t if a massive rock crashes down next to you. I have personally seen families with children fleeing in panic in such situations. If this concerns you, it may be best not to go.
That said, the authorities do everything they can to ensure safety: the gorge is closed whenever there is a risk of rockfall — for example during strong winds, storms, or heavy rainfall.
No. It is strictly forbidden.
There was a serious rockfall in the past, and the beach is considered unsafe. If you approach it, guards will warn you, whistle at you, and may issue a fine.
At the end of the hike, near the concrete pier in the harbor, it is sometimes possible to swim while waiting for the boat — but only if the sea is calm.
This happens occasionally in summer during warmer weather, but people come here primarily to hike, not to go swimming.
From Masca Beach, returning to Los Gigantes harbor by water taxi is mandatory, at a cost of €25 per person.
by local bus, or
by taxi.
If you’re lucky, you may meet other couples or families on the boat who are also heading back to Santiago del Teide, and you can share the taxi fare. Taxis are generally not expensive.
There are three main types of weather alerts: wind, rain, and strong waves. In any of these cases, the authorities close the gorge for safety reasons.
You can either reschedule your booking to another day (the gorge is currently open only on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) or cancel your booking and receive a full refund. The same applies to pre-purchased water taxi tickets.
Rain and wind can cause small rockfalls, while large temperature fluctuations may lead to more serious rock collapses. This should be taken seriously if you do not want to end up crushed at the bottom of the gorge.
Unfortunately, the gorge is still closed in this case. Only those with permits allowing both descent and ascent are admitted.
If your ticket is for downhill hiking only and you planned to return by boat, your program will be canceled. Entry is denied even if you intend to hike both down and up on foot.
I personally find this hard to understand as well, but the rules are set by the cabildo (island council). If you wish to complain, they are the ones to contact. Good luck.
Yes — and no.
The beauty of the valley has not diminished; it remains one of the most spectacular valleys in Tenerife. However, much of its wildness and magic has been lost. There is a lot of waiting: for the bus, at the entrance, for the water taxi, and for taxis afterward.
The trail itself is extremely safe: stairs, railings, metal structures, and support posts are installed throughout. There are no technical difficulties. This makes the hike accessible to many people, but do not expect a wild, untouched mountain trail.
Yes.
If needed, we can provide proper hiking shoes, and we also share a wealth of information about the area’s history, flora and fauna, and Tenerife in general. We also assist with logistics and organization.
Everyone must decide that for themselves.
Current logistical costs:
bus: €1.20
entrance ticket: €41
water taxi: €25
taxi: approx. €15 per trip
guided tour (optional)
Mountain guide and canyoning instructor
Técnico Deportivo en Media Montaña (TDMM) y Técnico Deportivo en Barrancos (TDB)
AEGM socio no: 1772 + UIMLA, Turismo Activo number: TA-4-0026148, Intermediador turístico number: I-0005011.1
