Masca Gorge: latest news

Until the 1960s, the picturesque mountain village of Masca could only be reached on foot or by donkey. Today it is well connected to the rest of Tenerife by road. Winding roads lead to exciting hairpin bends and narrow corners. The journey takes you through deep ravines covered in lush green vegetation. Once you reach Masca, you will be overwhelmed by the natural beauty of this remote and breathtaking place. Most visitors come with the idea of hiking through the famous Masca Gorge.

A hidden mountain village in the Masca Gorge

Masca is located in the northwest of Tenerife and belongs to the municipality of Buenavista del Norte. The small village has about 80 houses and a hundred inhabitants, who originally lived from agriculture. Thanks to tourism, most of them now run casas rurales (rural accommodation), local restaurants, bars and craft shops.

The tiny village is nestled in the Teno Mountains, one of the oldest geological formations on Tenerife. Rich endemic flora and stunning rock formations are the result of numerous volcanic eruptions eight million years ago. Masca is situated 650 metres above sea level and has a unique setting. Rocky gorges drop away from the edges of paths and houses, interspersed with colourful plants, making for excellent photo opportunities.

Masca was one of the last refuges of the Guanches before the Spanish conquest in 1496. The remains of the aboriginal inhabitants of Tenerife have been found, as well as petroglyphs in Roque Tarucho and La Fortaleza. Legend has it that Masca beach was the perfect hideout for pirates to surprise and seize ships coming from America.

How to get to Masca and the Masca Gorge

Masca by public bus

Masca is located within the Teno Rural Park, a protected natural area. As a result, access to Masca by car has been restricted in order to reduce the environmental impact of the large number of visitors in recent years. For example, the new measures allow access only by TITSA public bus.

You can take line 355 directly to Masca, which takes about 15 minutes from Santiago del Teide and 40 minutes from Buenavista del Norte. On the bus you can pay in cash, by credit card or with the electronic transport card TEN+. The latest bus timetable is available at bus stations or on the TITSA website.

Masca by bike

The drive to Masca is quite a challenge. You can start from either Santiago del Teide or Buenavista del Norte. From Santiago del Teide, the route climbs a mountain slope to the Degollada de Cherfe (1,057 m), where the Mirador de Masca viewpoint is located, before descending to the village of Masca. From Buenavista del Norte there are 14 kilometres of challenging climbs with gradients between 13% and 20%.

Although the ride to Masca is certainly an unforgettable experience, it is also very technical and requires a good level of fitness and experience in mountain biking. We can put you in touch with local companies that offer both rental and guided tours (including e-bikes).

Walk to the village of Masca

We believe that there is no better way to explore the surroundings of Masca than on foot. There are many walks of varying difficulty in and around Masca. From Santiago del Teide, an exciting ridge walk over the Cumbre de Bolico (the meteorological divide between north and south) leads to the mountain hamlet of Masca with wonderful views of the Masca valley and out to the island of La Gomera. If you are coming from the north, you can start your walk in the valley of El Palmar and enjoy the spectacular, rugged scenery of this less visited area of Tenerife in a 4 hour walk.

Your host and professional mountain guide in Tenerife will be happy to design a tailor made itinerary for you. Simply contact Sergio Walking Tours.

Things to see and do in Masca

Plaza de Masca

This picturesque village square is dominated by a huge Indian laurel tree. Next to it is the whitewashed church of Masca, built of volcanic stone and Canary pine. The square is certainly a great vantage point for the gorge below. From here you can also see the outstanding Roque de Catana, one of the most photographed natural monuments in Tenerife. There are also good restaurants, musicians, craftsmen and local farmers selling their produce. In conclusion, this is the place to take a break in the shade and listen to street musicians while enjoying the postcard views.

Ethnographical Museum of Masca

The building of this small museum is believed to be an old Guanche school. In this ethnographic museum you can see the typical architecture of these farmhouses up close and get a first-hand impression of traditional rural life in this area. It houses explanatory panels, photographs, primitive tools and unique artefacts from this isolated Guanche settlement.

Masca’s traditional architecture

To walk through Masca is to understand its rich history and culture. The steep walls that rise on either side of the village add to its beauty. Marvel at the construction of the traditional houses, perched precariously on the narrow bends of the gorge. Stone houses are characterised by their simplicity and modesty, with very thick walls based on carved ashlars, as well as the use of masonry and wood.

These constructions have been extended according to the needs of the time, which has led to shifts in the original layout and certain problems of connection between the old and new spaces. In general, all the buildings are well oriented to the climate and perfectly integrated into the landscape. Enjoy this rural atmosphere, where the rural life and the serenity of its inhabitants have been preserved to this day.

Masca Gorge

The famous gorge is open again

On March 27, 2021, the ravine was officially reopened to the public (tickets with reservation required).

Masca Gorge was closed by the mayor of Buenavista del Norte on 26 February 2018, when a group of hikers decided to descend despite the government’s warning of stormy weather. They had to spend the night in the ravine due to the heavy rain and wind, as they could not be rescued. In the past, there have been several fatal accidents due to the reckless behaviour of visitors.

As a result, and in order to manage the risk of this route, the entire path through the gorge has been transformed, with photovoltaic panels, signage, stone steps, railings and a visitor centre.

Masca Gorge connects the village to the beach

One of the most popular walks in Tenerife, this 5km long ravine is of great geological interest. The trail passes through an old dam and along various water channels built along the banks of the gorge. Discover how wind and rain have created bizarre volcanic rock formations.

You do not need to be an athlete to descend or ascend the gorge, but a minimum level of fitness is essential as you will have to climb 600 metres. In general, the route is easy to follow and well signposted. You can start from the village of Masca and follow the bottom of the gorge, lined with lush vegetation and endemic plants, down towards the sea. The steep walls of the gorge tower above you, rising more than 400 metres on either side. After 3 to 4 hours of breathtaking descent, you arrive at a wild beach with a jetty.

Please note that once you have descended the beach, the walk back to the village is much longer and requires a high level of fitness. In other words, you can take a short boat trip to the marina at Los Gigantes to avoid having to walk back up the ravine. However, if you prefer to go by sea, you can climb up the ravine from the beach to the village.

Flora and fauna in a unique setting

The Masca ravine is one of the most important places in the Teno Rural Park. It is home to a large community of endangered plants and endemic species. During the walk you can see cardon, tabaibas, palms, verode plants, opuntia, agaves and some almond trees. Traditional crops include potatoes, yams, Masca red onion, pumpkins, figs and fruit trees.

As for fauna, some goats can be seen on the mountain slopes, as well as invertebrates such as the recently discovered spotted lizard or teno lizard (Gallotia intermedia). A wide variety of native birds live here, such as the hoopoe, the Moorish partridge, the falcon, as well as mammals introduced from the continent (rats, mice, hedgehogs, rabbits, etc.).

The guincho, also known as the osprey, is one of the most endangered species in Spain and in this area of Tenerife you can find 3 of the 7 pairs currently living on the island. In short, this gives you a clear picture of the degree of vulnerability of this species.

Masca Beach

This small, secluded beach has rocks and black volcanic sand. A jetty has been built on the right-hand side to take visitors to Los Gigantes. You can enjoy a refreshing swim in the Atlantic Ocean while watching seabirds soar over the cliffs.

How to organise your walk in the Masca Gorge

• ATTENTION: We do NOT sell TICKETS!
• Make your reservation and get your ticket online through the official reservation system
• Admission on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only
• Last minute sale of cancelled tickets on Thursday and Friday
• Accessible from Buenavista del Norte and Santiago del Teide by bus lines 355 and 365, see TITSA timetable
• Book your room at the Tabaiba Guesthouse in Buenavista del Norte, the ideal base for your visit to Masca
• Cross the island from northwest to southwest or vice versa via Masca through the Teno Nature Reserve. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful landscapes in Tenerife.

Alternative routes around Masca Gorge

After the Teide National Park, the Masca Gorge is the main attraction for visitors to Tenerife. Due to its fame, it is not always possible to get a reservation in time. However, we know several wonderful alternative walks around Masca that are just as exciting as the famous gorge itself.

Your host, Sergio, is a professional mountain guide who organises private excursions around Masca Gorge and has designed a special hike for you: Top Tour Masca. Get more information and make your reservation here.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Karin and Sergio