The Masca Gorge trail, from the hamlet to the sea
4 h · 5 kmIn good physical shape, from age 8All year, except closures for bad weather
Route · 4 h down · 5 km · From age 8 · From €40.66 with booking
From €40
See the activity
From Santa CruzGarachico 1 h · Masca 1 h 20
Masca ravineBy reservation, from €40.66
Punta de TenoGuagua only; closed in November 2026
Minimum time1 day
Roads that close. The TF-445 to Punta de Teno is closed because of rockfalls and the TF-436 to Masca can be closed or regulated during fire or rain alerts. Before setting out, call the Cabildo's Road Information Centre on 900 210 131.
What to do
What to do in Teno and Masca
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
Garachico old town and San Miguel castle
2 hAll agesDog-friendlyAll year
Walk · 2 h · For all ages · Streets free; the castle has its own opening hours
The hamlet of Masca, via the TF-436
1 hAll agesAll year
Visit · 1 h · For all ages · Free · Very scarce parking
Itineraries
Itineraries that pass through
Days and weekends already planned out, with how to get between each stop and who to book with.
Plan the trip
Teno and Masca, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Teno and Masca
All year. From March to May and in September and October the ravine is more pleasant and the sea is usually better for the boat. Check road conditions after rain.
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How you travel
Teno and Masca your way
Choose how you're travelling and we'll tell you where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and which services you'll need. We only show the ways of travelling that make sense here.
By car on Teno's two roads
The car is the natural way to get around Teno from Santa Cruz: Garachico is under an hour away along the TF-5 and TF-42, and Masca a little more via Santiago del Teide. But there are two places the car cannot reach: Punta de Teno, by bus or taxi only, and the start of the Masca gorge, by bus 355 only.
90–170 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepLa Quinta Roja, on Garachico's…
- Getting aroundTF-436 between Buenavista and Santiago…
- Where to eatSilogía and El Rebojo, in…
- ServicesCabildo Road Information Centre: 900…
Where to sleep
- La Quinta Roja, on Garachico's square; free public parking nearby
- Hotel San Roque, in Garachico, with an arrival stop at the door
- Hotel Luz del Mar, in Los Silos, 200 metres from the sea
Getting around
- TF-436 between Buenavista and Santiago del Teide via Masca: narrow and full of bends
- For the gorge, park at the cemetery in Santiago del Teide and take the 355
- For Punta de Teno, park next to Buenavista station and take the 369
Where to eat
- Silogía and El Rebojo, in Garachico, open on Sunday lunchtime
- Codeso, in Los Gigantes, open at lunchtime only on Saturday and Sunday
Services
- Cabildo Road Information Centre: 900 210 131
- Free parking at the old football ground, in Garachico
Car-free, by bus from Santa Cruz
Teno can be done by bus, with patience. From Santa Cruz to Garachico it is about two hours with one change at Icod de los Vinos, and from Buenavista the lines to Masca and Punta de Teno depart. The Masca gorge, in fact, can only be started by bus. Sleep in Garachico or Los Silos, which have a stop in the village.
80–150 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepLa Quinta Roja, on Garachico's…
- Getting aroundLine 108 from Santa Cruz…
- Where to eatSilogía and El Rebojo, on…
- ServicesTITSA customer service: 922 531…
Where to sleep
- La Quinta Roja, on Garachico's square, with the 363 in the village
- Hotel Luz del Mar, in Los Silos; buses from Plaza de la Luz
Getting around
- Line 108 from Santa Cruz to Icod de los Vinos, hourly, Sundays too
- Line 363 from Icod to Garachico, Los Silos and Buenavista
- Line 355 from Buenavista and Santiago del Teide to Masca; compulsory for the gorge
- Line 369 from Buenavista to Punta de Teno, €1 (suspended while the road is closed)
- From Los Gigantes, the 462 and 325 to Santiago del Teide
Where to eat
- Silogía and El Rebojo, on foot from anywhere in Garachico's old town
- Codeso, a short walk from Los Gigantes harbour, as you step off the boat
Services
- TITSA customer service: 922 531 300, from 8:00 to 20:00
- Taxis in Buenavista, Santiago del Teide and Los Gigantes
Fly to Tenerife North or South and drive to Teno
Tenerife has two airports with flights from the Spanish mainland. The North one is closer to Garachico and the Isla Baja; the South one, to Los Gigantes and Santiago del Teide, the gateway to the Masca gorge. From either, the practical choice is to carry on by hire car.
- Getting thereTenerife North (TFN), in La…
- Getting aroundHire car at the airport…
- Where to sleepLa Quinta Roja or the…
- ServicesCabildo Road Information Centre: 900…
Getting there
- Tenerife North (TFN), in La Laguna: about 45 minutes by car to Garachico
- Tenerife South (TFS): around 1 h 20 to Garachico and nearly an hour to Masca
Getting around
- Hire car at the airport, for Teno's two roads
- The Hotel San Roque arranges car hire and airport transfers
- Without a car, TITSA buses with a change in Santa Cruz or Icod de los Vinos
Where to sleep
- La Quinta Roja or the Hotel San Roque, in Garachico, if you arrive at Tenerife North
- Hotel Luz del Mar, in Los Silos, about 50 km from Tenerife North
Services
- Cabildo Road Information Centre: 900 210 131
How much does it cost?
People2
Nights3
Who you're with
Teno and Masca for whoever you're with
A trip with a toddler is not the same as one with a teenager. Pick yours to see what works and what to bear in mind.
Lava, boats and a hanging hamlet
With children, Teno works best in short pieces: a stroll around Garachico and a dip in the lava pools, a morning on a boat beneath the cliffs, a stop at the viewpoint over Masca. The gorge is another league: from age 8, four hours of descent and a helmet.
- What works bestThe two-hour boat trip from…
- Where to sleepLa Quinta Roja, on Garachico's…
- Where to eatSilogía, in Garachico, is open…
- Bear in mindThe Masca gorge admits children…
What works best
- The two-hour boat trip from Los Gigantes, with a stop in Masca bay, €28 per person
- The natural pools of El Caletón, with calm sea and water shoes
- Garachico's old town and San Miguel castle, flat and pushchair-friendly
- The La Cruz de Hilda viewpoint, with parking, to see Masca without going down
Where to sleep
- La Quinta Roja, on Garachico's square, with ground-floor doubles beside the courtyard
- Hotel Luz del Mar, in Los Silos, with a 30-metre pool and a kitchen in the room
- The Hotel San Roque is for guests aged 14 and over only
Where to eat
- Silogía, in Garachico, is open Wednesday to Sunday with no mid-afternoon break
- In the hamlet of Masca there are restaurants with terraces over the gorge
Bear in mind
- The Masca gorge admits children from age 8, with hiking footwear and ID
- The TF-436 has many bends: stop at the viewpoints
- Punta de Teno is closed because of rockfalls in November 2026
What to do as a family
A proper gorge and a boat back
For teenagers with strong legs, the Teno plan is to walk down the Masca gorge with a helmet to the sea and leave by boat beneath the cliffs. For those who walk less, the whale and dolphin boat and the El Caletón pools.
- What works bestThe Masca Gorge Trail: 5…
- Where to sleepHotel San Roque, in Garachico…
- Where to eatThere is nothing in the…
- Bear in mindUnder-18s walk the gorge with…
What works best
- The Masca Gorge Trail: 5 km downhill, about 4 hours, from age 8 and by reservation
- The Callejón de Teno trail, 4.1 km uphill to Teno Alto
- The Los Gigantes boat, in case dolphins or whales appear
- A swim in the lava pools of El Caletón
Where to sleep
- Hotel San Roque, in Garachico, which takes guests aged 14 and over
- Hotel Luz del Mar, in Los Silos, which organises walking routes
Where to eat
- There is nothing in the gorge: bring food and 1.5 litres of water per person
- Codeso, in Los Gigantes, as you step off the boat at the weekend
Bear in mind
- Under-18s walk the gorge with a guardian or an adult authorised in writing
- Everyone needs ID at the Masca checkpoint
- You cannot enter the gorge without closed hiking footwear
What to do with teenagers
Where to stay
Where to stay if you're drivingwithout a carif you're flying
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
Hotel San Roque
Why we like it: An 18th-century manor house in Garachico's old town turned design boutique hotel, with a heated courtyard pool, for guests aged 14 and over only.
La Quinta Roja
Why we like it: A 19-room hotel in the 1689 palace house of the marquises of La Quinta Roja, on Garachico's square, with its own restaurant and pets welcome.
Hotel Luz del Mar
Why we like it: Four-star hotel for walkers in Los Silos, at the foot of the Teno massif and 200 metres from the sea, with a 30-metre pool and guided routes.
Services for this trip
Areas, for any way of travelling
| Area | Who it's for | Average night |
|---|---|---|
| Garachico | Old town, lava pools, charming hotels | |
| Los Silos and Buenavista | Base for paths, Punta de Teno and El Palmar | |
| Masca and Santiago del Teide | The ravine, the hamlet and the 355 guagua | |
| Los Gigantes | Harbour, boats and the exit from the ravine |
Where to eat
Where to eat in Teno and Masca
From set lunch menus to Michelin stars. We mark the price level and what to order at each place.
Silogía
What to order: the black rice for two, or the cherne
El Rebojo
What to order: the bites of the sea with their wines, or the A Marea Vacía menu if you have time; for dessert, the smoked cheesecake
Codeso
What to order: the local fish in a casserole with black potatoes, an arroz a la llauna or, on Sunday, the Sunday menu
Map
Everything on the map
The places to stay and services on the map are the ones for the way you travel. Turn on the layers you want and tap a point to see its details.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Nearby
Near Teno and Masca
The closest places, whichever country they are in.
28.27° N · 16.64° W
Teide National Park
By carCar-freeOn footBy plane
28.55° N · 16.20° W
Anaga Massif
By carCar-free
28.68° N · 17.85° W
La Palma
28.10° N · 15.70° W
Agaete and the North-West of Gran Canaria
By carCar-free
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Book the ravine and the boat on the same day
First the ticket on the Cabildo's website, then the return boat.
- 2Park in Santiago del Teide if you are doing the ravine
The guagua 355 leaves from there and the return from Los Gigantes ends there.
- 3Start with Garachico
It is the part closest to Santa Cruz and has somewhere to eat on Sunday.
The Teno massif is the north-western corner of Tenerife: the oldest part of the island, with sharp ridges, deep ravines and hanging hamlets. To the north lies the Isla Baja, with Garachico, Los Silos and Buenavista del Norte between banana plantations and the sea; to the south, the cliffs of Los Gigantes drop sheer into the Atlantic. In the middle, the hamlet of Masca and its ravine, which runs down to the sea.
How do you get there from Santa Cruz?
By car, Garachico is about 60 km away, under an hour along the TF-5 to Icod de los Vinos and the TF-42. For Masca the most direct way is the TF-1, or via the north to Santiago del Teide and there the TF-436, a narrow mountain road with many bends: allow an hour and a quarter or an hour and a half. Los Gigantes is about 100 km along the TF-1, around an hour and a quarter.
Without a car it is also possible. TITSA line 108 runs from Santa Cruz to Icod de los Vinos in 1 h 15, hourly including on Sundays, and there the 363 continues to Garachico, Los Silos and Buenavista. From Buenavista the 355 leaves for El Palmar and Masca and the 369 for Punta de Teno.
What do you need to book?
One thing, and it is the main one: the Camino del Barranco de Masca. It is managed by the Cabildo de Tenerife with reservations on its website, from €40.66 per person, with slots from 8:30 to 13:00 and a loaned helmet. The car doesn't reach the start: you park in Santiago del Teide and go up on the guagua 355, which is compulsory. There is no way out at the bottom: you return by boat to Los Gigantes, with a separate ticket. Allow the whole day.
The boat beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs is booked with the boat company, from €28. The rest, Garachico's old town, the El Caletón pools, the viewpoints and the paths of the Rural Park, is open and free.
Can you go to Punta de Teno?
Not at the moment. Punta de Teno, with its lighthouse, can only be visited on guagua 369 from Buenavista or by taxi: private cars, pedestrians and bicycles cannot use the TF-445. In November 2026 the road is still closed after the rockfalls of 29 October and the guagua is suspended until further notice. Check the Buenavista del Norte town council website before planning it.
How much time, and where to sleep?
A day covers Garachico in the morning and Masca and its viewpoints in the afternoon, or the ravine with the boat. With two or three days you do both and add a path, such as the Callejón de Teno, from El Palmar to Teno Alto. The best base is Garachico: La Quinta Roja, on the square, accepts pets and can be reached by guagua; the Hotel San Roque is for over-14s only. For walking, the Hotel Luz del Mar, in Los Silos, organises routes.
For Sunday lunch, Silogía is open from 13:00 to 22:00 in Garachico, El Rebojo serves lunch on Sunday next to the castle and Codeso serves on Saturday and Sunday at lunchtime in Los Gigantes, on stepping off the boat.
When to go
All year. In summer the bottom of the ravine is hot and the first slot is best; in winter there are more rainy days on the summit and it is when roads and paths are most often closed. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable months for walking. Swimming at El Caletón and the boat depend on the sea more than on the month: with a northern swell, no pools.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Santa Cruz to Masca?
Between an hour and a quarter and an hour and a half by car, via Santiago del Teide and the TF-436.
Do you need to book the Masca ravine?
Yes, on the Cabildo's website, with a date and time, from €40.66 per person. The guagua 355 and the boat are paid separately.
Can you drive to Masca?
To the hamlet, yes, along the TF-436, though parking is difficult. To the start of the ravine, no: you must go up on guagua 355.
Is the Punta de Teno road open?
In November 2026, no: it is closed because of rockfalls and guagua 369 is suspended.
Can you do it without a car from Santa Cruz?
Yes: line 108 to Icod de los Vinos and 363 to Garachico and Buenavista; from there, 355 to Masca.
Where can you eat on a Sunday?
In Garachico, Silogía or El Rebojo; in Los Gigantes, Codeso.