# The Masca Gorge trail, from the hamlet to the sea

Route · 4 h down · 5 km · From age 8 · From €40.66 with booking

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/teno-and-masca/things-to-do/masca-gorge-trail · Revisado: 2026-11-13

Dónde: Teno and Masca

The Masca ravine trail goes down from the hamlet, in the heart of the Teno Rural Park, to a cove on the Atlantic. It is managed by the Cabildo de Tenerife: you enter with a booking, at a set time, with a lent helmet and in one direction only, downwards. At the bottom a boat picks you up and takes you to Los Gigantes.

## What it is and why it is worth it

It is a cleft with vertical walls that narrows as you descend: about 5 km from the 750 m of the hamlet down to sea level, among volcanic rocks, palm trees and sections where the riverbed barely lets two people through. The Cabildo rates it high difficulty: there is uneven ground, rock steps, slippery passages and some short climbs. Allow about four hours to go down.

## How to book and how much it costs

On the official Masca Gorge Trail website, from €40.66 per person. It includes the slot with date and time, the loan of the helmet, staff assistance and accident insurance. Tenerife residents and Canary Islands mountaineering or caving federation members do not pay: they pay the ticket and it is refunded at the checkpoint after checking residence or licence. The bus, the boat and the return from Los Gigantes to Santiago del Teide are not included.

The descent slots run from 8:30 to 13:00, every half hour, with 25 places per slot and 50 in the 9:00 one. The trail is open from 8:30 to 18:00.

## How to get to the start

By car you cannot reach the starting point. Park in Santiago del Teide, in the cemetery car park, walk about 10 minutes to TITSA stop 4692 and take line 355 to Masca, about 20 minutes. It has been compulsory since December 2025: you must be at the stop an hour before your slot and show your ticket at the checkpoint. At the Masca Visitor Centre you report 30 minutes before the time. From Santa Cruz it is about 70 km to Santiago del Teide, a little over an hour via the TF-1 or by the north.

## The return, by boat

At the bottom the beach is closed to the public and there is no way out along the coast: you leave by boat from the Masca inlet to the port of Los Gigantes, a trip of 20 to 30 minutes in front of the cliffs. The ticket is bought separately from one of the collaborating shipping companies, such as Marítima Acantilados with its Masca Water Taxi, and no later than four hours after your slot. If the sea closes the jetty, you have to walk back up the ravine to the Visitor Centre and take the 355 there. From Los Gigantes to Santiago del Teide you return on TITSA lines 462 or 325.

## Paso a paso

### 1 h before · Bus 355
From the Santiago del Teide cemetery stop to Masca, about 20 minutes.

### 30 min before · Checkpoint at Masca
At the Visitor Centre: ID card, ticket, bus ticket and helmet.

### 4 h · The descent
About 5 km of trail to the inlet, with rocky sections and narrow passages.

### 30 min · Boat to Los Gigantes
Pick-up at the inlet and a trip beneath the cliffs to the port.

## Qué llevar

- Closed mountain boots or shoes

- At least 1.5 litres of water per person

- Food: bars, nuts

- ID card, including for children

- Charged phone, cap and sun cream

## Consejos

### Take the 9:00 slot
It has the most places and leaves you margin for the boat.

### Buy the boat on the same day as the ticket
That way you know you have a place back.

### Leave the car in Santiago del Teide
The bus leaves from there and the return from Los Gigantes ends there.

## Aviso

### The ravine has no drinking water and no way out on foot along the coast.
If the sea closes the jetty, the only way out is to climb back up. Save your strength and water.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Do I need to book to go down the Masca ravine?
Yes, on the Cabildo's official website, with date and time. Without a booking you cannot enter.

### How much does it cost?
From €40.66 per person, plus the bus and the boat. Tenerife residents do not pay the ticket.

### Can I drive to Masca to start?
No. TITSA line 355 from Santiago del Teide is compulsory to reach the start.

### Can I go up the ravine?
The Cabildo sets it up as one-way only, downwards, with a boat exit.

### From what age?
From age 8. Under-18s go with their guardian or with an adult authorised in writing.

### Can I go with a dog?
No, except assistance dogs, which are declared when booking.
