The village of Masca, nestled amongst mountain peaks and gorges, is a popular tourist destination in Tenerife.

This tiny hamlet, with its few white houses, lies beneath a rocky promontory in the middle of a steep valley, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside from all sides. The village of Masca itself lies at an altitude of 600 metres and can be reached via a winding mountain road.

Book your visit to the Masca Gorge

The Masca Gorge

As well as the magnificent views, the main tourist attraction is the trek through the Masca Gorge. A beautiful walk lasting around 4 hours awaits you as you descend through the Masca Gorge; after climbing Pico del Teide, this is the second most popular activity you can undertake in Tenerife.

The hiking trail through the gorge begins in the picturesque mountain village of Masca and ends at the beach of the same name, a short distance from the enormous Los Gigantes rock formations, which are amongst the largest in Spain.

The trek takes you through beautiful scenery of rocks, steep slopes and flowering prickly pears, though it is quite challenging. Over a distance of roughly 4 km, it covers an elevation gain of over 600 metres and leads through rugged, stony terrain. Although the trail is signposted and well-trodden, sturdy walking boots and plenty of water and food are essential. You’ll have to return the same way, uphill.

Your reward, however, will be views of 100-metre-high rocky cliffs plunging into the Atlantic Ocean.

The entire descent will take you around 2.5–4 hours.

Booking and admission fee

Entry to the Masca Gorge is regulated, and you must book and purchase your ticket online via the official websitecaminobarrancodemasca.comor, for the same price, on GetYourGuide.com(which is where I bought mine).

Prices, including the booking fee, are as follows:

• 40,66 eur – adults over 18
• 20,33 eur – children aged 8 to 18
• + compulsory boat trip from the gorge back to 25 eur, which is not included in the admission price (see below)

The price includes entry to the gorge and a ticket for the shuttle bus from the town of Santiago del Teide.

The shuttle bus runs approximately every 20–25 minutes from 7.00 am to 1.00 pm. Return services run from approximately 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

The Masca Gorge is only open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is not possible to visit the gorge on any other days of the week!

However, the opening days of the week change frequently, so it’s best to check the official website in advance.

You can purchase a ticket for 30-minute slots from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm, with a maximum of 25 places available for each individual slot. During peak season, places are often sold out more than a week in advance.

From the end of the trail by the sea, you must return by boat to Los Gigantes. Booking a ticket is essential!

Transport from Masca to Los Gigantes is provided by several ferry companies, and you must purchase a ticket for the ‘ 25 eur ’ online atmascawatertaxi.comortrekkingmasca.com.

How to get there

Masca is situated in the west of Tenerife and can only be reached by bus.

Please note! At present, it is only possible to walk through the gorge in one direction – downwards (towards the sea). You must return by boat, which sails to Los Gigantes.

By car

You are not permitted to park anywhere in the village of Masca itself unless you have accommodation there with private parking.

You can drive to the neighbouring village of Santiago del Teide, where you must park exclusively in the free car park by the cemetery (see map).

From the centre of Santiago del Teide (about 650 metres’ walk from the car park), on days when the Masca Gorge is open, a shuttle bus runs every 20–25 minutes to the start of the trail; this is included in the entrance fee.

Once you’ve walked through the Masca Gorge, you’ll need to return by ferry to Los Gigantes, from where you can take TITS buses 325, 461 or 462 back to your car in Santiago del Teide (these run only about 6–8 times a day).

So the final route is as follows:

1. Drive to Santiago del Teide
2. Walk 650 metres to the village centre
3. Shuttle bus to the start of the Masca Gorge (included in the ticket price)
4. Walk through the Masca Gorge (approx. 2.5–4 hours)
5. Ferry to Los Gigantes (approx. 30 minutes and 25 eur)
6. Bus from Los Gigantes back to Santiago del Teide (approx. 25 minutes and 2 eur)
7. Total approx. 6.5–8 hours, 68 eur including entrance fee to the gorge

Compare car hire prices

Public transport – buses

TITSA buses run to Masca 7–9 times a day, including at weekends. Routes 355 and 365 connect Masca with the towns of Santiago del Teide and Buenavista del Norte, where you can change to other services across the island.

This option may be slightly more practical than a car, as you won’t need to return to Santiago del Teide after the boat comes back to Los Gigantes.

I describe my experience with tickets and travelling by bus in the article ‘Transport in Tenerife’.

Accommodation

In the village of Masca itself and the surrounding mountain hamlets, you’ll mainly find smaller apartments, most of which have excellent reviews. Prices here are higher than in the rest of the island and range from around 83 eur per day for two people.

• Accommodation in Masca and the surrounding area

If you’re travelling by car, parking is prohibited everywhere in the village of Masca, and you’ll need to take a shuttle bus from the town of Santiago del Teide to reach the gorge.

• Search for hotels in Santiago del Teide

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Tenerife.