Masca Gorge is one of the most impressive places and hiking routes in Tenerife. It attracts visitors with its natural beauty. Steep cliffs, rich vegetation, and breathtaking views surround the gorge. For this reason, people often call it the pearl of Tenerife. We completed this route with our family. Therefore, we want to share our experience and the latest practical information. Here you will find everything you need to know before starting this hike.
In this article, you will find everything about the Masca hike in Tenerife: our family’s experiences, tips, and practical information, what you need to know, where to book, and how to plan.
Experiences, tips, and practical information
Masca Gorge is not just a beautiful walk. Instead, it is an intense and memorable experience. The descent from the scenic village of Masca toward the Atlantic Ocean feels truly impressive. Along the way, the route includes steep descents, rocks, stones, narrow paths, and wild nature.
New rules for visiting Masca Gorge: what you need to know and how to plan
From now on, visiting Masca Gorge is possible only with an advance reservation.
Masca Gorge is unique not only because of its landscape. It is also special due to its flora and fauna. At the same time, the responsible institutions want to control visitor numbers. In the past, several accidents occurred. Because of this, a new visiting system was created and is now in effect.
Online reservation is mandatory. You must book your hike through the official website. In addition, you need to pay the reservation fee immediately. However, for residents, this fee is refunded after completing the hike and meeting all conditions.
Important information for residents. Residents must carry not only their NIE cards. They also need valid documents confirming their registration. Otherwise, the special price and conditions will not apply.
You can find all prices on the official Masca visiting website.
If you are looking for company and want to hike with a professional guide, we recommend our partners’ tour. It is safe and reliable. Moreover, you will not need to worry about logistics. The tour includes transportation, permits, and a professional guide.
The hike starts at the top. At the bottom, a boat will wait to take you to Los Gigantes. Therefore, you must also book boat tickets in advance.
The number of visitors is limited. Only a restricted number of people can enter at one time. The earliest entry time is 8:00. The last entry to the gorge is at 13:00.
The minimum age for hikers is 8 years.
The Masca Visitor Information Center page provides information about the difficulty of the hike:
- Difficulty level: HIGH. The route includes a steep descent, many ramps and steps, and several slippery sections.
- Distance: about 5 km one way.
- Estimated duration: the descent takes around 4 hours.
- Elevation: the trail starts at about 750 m above sea level in Masca village and descends to sea level, with a few short ascents.
Proper footwear is mandatory. You must wear hiking shoes with non-slip soles. Staff check footwear carefully. Because of this, running shoes, casual shoes, or open footwear are not allowed. All necessary information.
Our experience: impressions and practical tips
We started our journey by driving to the town of Santiago del Teide. There, we left our car. Under the new rules, you can reach Masca village only by organized transport if you plan to hike. If you do not plan to hike, you may still drive there by car.
However, if you hike through Masca Gorge, you must leave your car in Los Gigantes. After that, you need to take a taxi or bus to Santiago del Teide and continue by bus. Alternatively, you can drive directly to Santiago del Teide, as we did.
You can park your car in the lot behind the church. We parked near the picnic area.
Special bus to Masca
You can find the special bus at the bus stop near the church, close to the Tourist Information Center. Make sure to ask the driver to stamp your hiking tickets. This stamp confirms that you arrived in Masca by the special bus.
The bus departs every 20 to 25 minutes. It is recommended to arrive at least one hour before your reserved hiking time.
Start of the hike and required checks
After reaching the Masca Visitor Information Center, you must enter the building. There, staff will check your tickets, the bus stamp, and your boat tickets. They will also carefully inspect your shoes. Then, they provide a short briefing and give you helmets. You will also receive identification tags. In case of an accident, these tags help identify you. Additionally, staff members along the route may ask for them.
Bring water and snacks. However, take all your trash with you. Therefore, bring a small trash bag. If you hike in late spring or summer, prepare for heat. Each person must carry at least 1 liter of water. This requirement also applies at the Visitor Information Center. Sun protection is also necessary. Keep your phone fully charged. Trekking poles were useful for us as well.
Hiking through Masca Gorge
The first sections of the trail are quite steep. Therefore, the descent requires caution. The path is winding and rocky. In some places, it becomes slippery, especially after rain. Do not let children run. They need to stay focused and watch their steps. The trail is uneven and stepped. Often, feet slide on loose stones.
However, the effort pays off. As you get closer to the ocean, stunning views open up. At the same time, the atmosphere feels calm and quiet. You can hear birds singing. When you look up, the scale of the mountains feels overwhelming. While hiking through Masca Gorge, you will see waterfalls and impressive rock formations. The scenery is truly beautiful.
In the middle of the route, a staff member will meet you and ask how you are doing.
We reached the water in about 3.5 hours, including a short snack break. For our children, aged 9 and 11, the route was manageable. For younger children, it may be too difficult. Therefore, consider your children’s fitness, even though hiking is allowed from age 8.
After reaching the harbor, we could refresh ourselves with soft drinks. There is a small bar. Then, a responsible staff member escorted us to the boat.
We returned by boat to Los Gigantes harbor. From there, we took a taxi back up to Santiago del Teide to collect our car.
Masca Gorge became one of the most interesting hikes our family has completed. The nature is impressive, and the time spent together outdoors felt special. Although the hike requires physical endurance, it leaves a lasting impression.
