Masca Hike
Masca Hike
- Descent and ascent on foot of the Masca Ravine
- Enjoy one of the most emblematic routes in Tenerife.
- A 6-hour adventure in a canyon with gigantic walls and a permanent water course.
Destination:
Tenerife
Privacy:
Private
Activity:
Hiking
Guided:
Guided
Transport:
Optional Transport
Difficulty:
Expert
Duración excursión:
7 hours
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Tenerife
Private
Hiking
Guided
Expert
7 hours
Optional Transport
Overview
Activity
Hiking
Private
Group
Guide
Guided
Transport
Not included
Island
Tenerife
Place
Masca
Level
Expert
Distance
10km
Time
7 hours
Ascent
+750m
Descent
-750m
Dates
Saturdays
Description
Masca Gorge, in Teno Mountains, is one of the most spectacular and popular trails on the island of Tenerife. This route begins in the hamlet of Masca, descends to the bottom of a deep ravine dug by water for several million years and takes you on a winding path until you reach the coast.
Masca is one of the 6 villages of the Teno Rural Park, the protected natural space in which it is located. It is a remote settlement that has been poorly communicated with the rest of the island for centuries, until 1970s when the road reached this hamlet located within deep ravines and steep mountains. Masca is currently populated by less than 100 inhabitants, but features a very rich rural heritage, history and identity.
During the excursion we tell you how life was in this area until very recently and the changes that it is experiencing since the improvement of communications. Before we start the descent, you can walk around the hamlet and contribute to the local development consuming in some of the bars and restaurants, acquiring some products from the artisans and merchants, or appreciating the work of local artists.
After the check-in at the visitor centre, we access Barranco de Masca. We walk down to the ravine bed, crossing old cultivated terraces and a magnificent palm grove. You learn to recognize various species of plants growing in the area, hear about their traditional uses and the importance for the local population.
Erosion has created several hundred meters high walls, leaving a very narrow ravine bed, which has a permanent stream of water, all year round. The sound of water accompanies us during the tour. You discover with our guide how this volcanic mountains and the spectacular lava dikes have been formed. You will also enjoy the adventure of moving along the riverbed and overcome various rock obstacles.
On the coast, it is not allowed to use Masca beach for security reasons, since rockfalls in that area close to the cliffs are constant. Masca pier is temporarily out of service, but we can still enjoy our picnic in front of the sea and the island of La Gomera.
We make the ascent to Masca hamlet using the same path, since the exit by sea is not allowed at this time. We will have the opportunity to enjoy again the magnificent Masca Ravine.
Entrance
Our company is an official partner of Camino Barranco de Masca for guided tours. We need the following information from each person to book your entrance to Masca Gorge:
Full Name
ID / Passport number
You must present your ID / Passport document the day of excursion at Masca Visitor Centre.
Prices
Price
Private Hike 2 people: 240€
Every extra person: +20€
If you do not want to hike with a big group, instead you wish to hike using a private guided service with exclusive attention, this is your tour. At your pace, tailor-made, only for you and your party.
Dates
Barranco de Masca trail is ONLY open on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Closed from Monday to Friday.
Included Services
Walking guide
First-aid kit
Liability Insurance
Accidents Insurance
Taxes
Not Included Services
Barranco de Masca (Descent and Ascent) entrance
Transport
Picnic
Water and drinks
Other services not included in Included Services
Transport
Not included
On Request.
Booking
Make your reservation by filling this Reservation Form.
We email back confirming the reservation.
You make the payment to confirm the excursion.
Cancellation (by Canarias Nature Guides)
If the path is closed (it can be closed for adverse weather), we will contact you to inform of the alternatives:
Change the date.
Cancellation 100% reimbursement.
Cancelation (by the client)
If you want to cancel the excursion for any reason:
Until the last 48 hours before the excursion: 100% reimbursement.
Last 48 hours before the excursion: No reimbursement can be claimed.
Health & Safety
Our guide will take care of your well-being and will act at all times so that you enjoy the experience with health and safety.
Principles
For your safety, we apply the 3 following principles:
Expertise and risk management.
First-aid trained guides.
Equipment and technology.
Conditions
You must comply with the following conditions to participate in this excursion:
Good general state of health, without problems incompatible with the activity.
Habit of hiking. Walking on uneven, rocky and demanding for the legs and ankles downhill terrain.
The equipment required for the activity: hiking shoes.
Difficulty
High
To define the general difficulty of the activity (being aware that it may differ for each person according to their particular conditions), we have defined 10 parameters and a risk scale with 5 levels. We tell what actions we take to prevent these risks and we give you some tips to help us too.
Risk Scale
1. Null / 2. Low / 3. Medium / 4. High / 5. Extreme
Effort: high
The walk is not too long, just 10km, but the characteristics of the route through uneven terrain and the steep descent and ascent require concentration, good balance and lots of physical work for legs, knees and ankles joints.
Prevention: You need to be fit, in good physical condition, to complete the walk. Walking poles can help to relieve stress on the knees and provide stability.
Fatigue: medium
Tiredness can appear on the ascent, but also on the descent by keeping your concentration on your feet all the time.
Prevention: Our guide will make stops to explain the nature regularly. That will allow you to have a rest.
Vertigo: low
There are no places exposed to drops where you can feel a sensation of vertigo, since most of the path runs along the bottom of the ravine and it is protected with handrails. However, people with a high sensitivity to vertigo may not feel comfortable at some very specific points along the route.
Prevention: Our guide will be attentive to people with greater sensitivity to vertigo. In case of great sensitivity to vertigo, we suggest choosing another excursion.
Claustrophobia: null
The activity takes place in an open area. There are no closed spaces where you can feel claustrophobic.
Prevention: None.
Mountain sickness: null
The activity does not take place in high mountains, but below 600m high. The probability is almost zero.
Prevention: None.
Fall: high
The most worrying risk of the Barranco de Masca is falling down. The terrain is often uneven and stony. You need to look constantly down at the path and your feet as you move along the path. Sometimes we'll need to use our hands for greater stability. Steps and handrails have also been carved and placed in certain places to allow for safer passage. We cross the watercourse at various times, and stepping on wet ground can be slippery. During downhill the risk of falling increases. Many people have suffered serious injuries from a fall on this walk in the lasts years.
Prevention: It is essential to have a good physical condition, good previous preparation and appropriate footwear for this activity. This trail is not recommended for people with mobility problems, stability, elderly people who are not in good physical condition, or small children or babies who must be carried. We recommend using hiking poles, especially in some sections of the ravine, for better stability, as well as keeping your focus on the path. Our guide will give safety instructions in the most complicated steps and take the best decisions so that the whole group arrives in health and safety at the end of the excursion. Our guide has the right to reject the admission of any participant who do not meet the requirements to make the tour safely for himself or herself and for the whole group. In addition, our guide carries a first aid kit.
Sun: medium
We walk under the sun most of the way, especially in summer, when the sun is higher in the sky and we can feel the heat. On the coast there are no shady areas. In winter, it is possible to find shade since the walls of the ravine are very high and narrow.
Prevention: It is necessary to wear high sun protection for the skin, especially for the face and lips, a cap or hat, and sunglasses. It is common to wear short-sleeved clothing, although this will depend on the weather conditions. It is important to bring plenty of water and optionally some isotonic drink.
Cold: low
In winter there could be some cold and wet days. Warm clothes and trousers should be enough to protect you. Barranco de Masca is located in the dry and arid side of the island, and close to the sea, making the temperature pleasant almost all year round.
Prevention: Take and wear warm clothes and trousers.
Rain: low
Rainy days are few and there is little rainfall. It doesn't usually make us cancel the excursion.
Prevention: Take a raincoat with you. If it is not necessary, you can leave it in the car before starting the excursion. In case of a storm or heavy rain is expected, we will cancel the excursion.
Wind: low
The wind is usually present in the Barranco, which softens the temperature in summer, but can increase the sensation of cold in winter. There is usually no strong winds. In case of a storm, rocks can fall and the Barranco can be closed for safety reasons.
Prevention: We recommend bringing a windbreaker. In case of strong winds or a storm, we will cancel the excursion for safety reasons.
Rockfall: medium
Wind, rain, animals, earthquakes or other causes can generate small landslides on the walls of the ravine that put our safety at risk during the walk. These rockfalls are often unpredictable, but also rare. However, when one occurs and hits a visitor, the consequences are often severe and cause injury.
Prevention: To reduce the consequences of small landslides, Camino Barranco de Masca provides each visitor with a helmet that must be used during the whole walk. The helmet prevents fatal consequences due to the most common landslides, those of small stones. For your safety, wear your helmet throughout the excursion.
Restrictions
IT IS NOT ALLOWED to do this excursion to the following persons:
People without sufficient physical preparation
People with health and mobility problems incompatible with the activity
People without the proper equipment, especially not wearing hiking shoes
Pregnant women
Children under 8 years old
Recommendations
IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED to do this excursion to the following persons:
People with knee and ankle problems
Get Ready for the Excursion
Meeting
When making your reservation, we will tell you the meeting point and the meeting time, either at your accommodation, if you have chosen the option of transportation with us, or at the starting point of the excursion. We will also indicate who will be your guide and our contact for any questions.
What do you need to bring?
ID or Passport: You must bring a valid document and show it to confirm your identity to access the Barranco.
Warm clothes: A windbreaker and shorts are fine for warm and sunny days. In winter and cold days, long trousers and a polar fleece are suggested.
Walking boots: Barranco de Masca do not allow access without proper hiking boots. It is essential that you wear hiking boots in this walk.
Sun protection: Cap or hat, sun cream, balm stick and sunglasses.
Raincoat: Put it in your rucksack, but the use is quite rare. In case of heavy rain, we will cancel the excursion.
Water: Take enough water with you. We suggest at least 1.5 litres. In summer or hot days even 2 litres.
Picnic: You can book the picnic with us or take your own picnic: a sandwich, pasta or rice salad, nuts, chocolate, cereal bars and fruits are some ideas.
Walking poles: They can be useful.
Tissues
Rubbish bag: Bring some kind of bag or recipient for your waste, as there will be no bins during the walk and it is not allowed to throw waste, even if it is organic or biodegradable. We must take all the garbage with us to preserve this fragile natural protected area. Back in Masca, you can deposit the waste in separation bins. If you have any doubt sorting your rubbish, do not hesitate to ask us, we will gladly assist you.
Personal pharmacie
Video and photo camera
Mobile phone
FAQ
Yes. The entrance to the Barranco de Masca is limited and it is necessary to have a place to access. We book your ticket and, as a partner company of Camino Barranco de Masca, we have access to the guided places to offer you this excursion.
No. The number of parking spaces in Masca is very limited, for this reason. It is prohibited to hikers parking in Masca, since they block a place for several hours that are necessary for residents or other people who visit Masca hamlet during the day. A public transport system allows you to leave your car in other more suitable places like Santiago del Teide or Buenavista and use a public bus or a taxi to get to Masca.
Yes. There will not be any service during the walk, but you can buy some food and drink in the bars and shops of Masca before starting the walk, thus contributing to the local economy. You need to bring water (we recommend at least 1.5 litres, and even 2 litres in summer and hot days) and some food. If you haven't booked your picnic with us, here are some suggestions: a sandwich, pasta or rice salad, nuts, gofio, chocolate, cereal bars and fruits.
Do not hesitate to contact us in case of any further query.
Reviews
If you participated in this activity, we will appreciate your review to keep improving and to know what you enjoyed most.
Almudena H. (Barranco de Masca, 25/04/2021)
Camino de Masca
The beauty of the route and the enriching contributions of Javier, a guide who has mastered the technical, historical, geological and fauna and flora aspects, not only of the route but also of the reality of our island and our archipelago. A physically demanding canyon, where the effort is rewarded by an experience that always exceeds expectations. Thank you for the treatment and the transmission of knowledge, which are extraordinarily valuable values and which your company has set at a very high level and for which we are very grateful. Highly recommendable experience and a great satisfaction. Thank you very much for making Barranco de Masca an even more beautiful place.