Book your visit to the Masca Gorge Trail

• Difficulty level: HIGH for the descent, with uneven ground, steps, areas with slopes and the possibility of slipping and falling from a height.
• Distance: Approximately 5 kilometres one way. 
• Estimated duration: About 4 hours to DESCEND.
• Gradient: The trail departs from an altitude of 750 m (Masca hamlet) in the descending direction and heads down to sea level with small intermediate climbs. 
• Departures by boat transfer from Masca Bay to the port of destination may close unexpectedly for safety reasons due to sudden or unexpected changes in sea conditions. This means that visitors will return to the start point at Masca Visitors’ Centre on foot. Should this occur, users will start the return hike from the point they are at when they are notified. Therefore, visitors need a good level of fitness.

As in any natural environment, hiking along the Masca gorge trail carries some risks. In the past few years more rescues have been carried out here than anywhere else in the Canary Islands, so please make sure to take extra care.

If staff notice that a user does not meet the necessary conditions to take part in the activity safely, they may advise the user before/during the trail that it is not suitable for them to begin or continue the activity. Should the user not accept this recommendation, they may be required to sign an informed consent form stating that they accept liability for any costs related to a rescue or medical assistance. Furthermore, if the user fails to adhere to the booking terms and conditions, they will be required to pay for any rescue, if applicable. 

Along the trail, you’ll find LOCATION FOR EMERGENCY signs with information about your location. If you are in danger or something has happened to you, call 112 and state the locator number on the nearest sign to indicate your exact location.

These are the BASIC RULES to follow:

• Use only the signposted itinerary.
• Bathing and swimming in watercourses or natural pools is not permitted.
• Do not camp or spend the night.
• It is not permitted to make a fire or smoke.
• Hunting and fishing is prohibited, except in the case of exceptional conservation measures.
• No dogs or other domesticated animals are permitted on the trail (except for assistance or working dogs, with prior notice given via the booking form).
• Have all the EQUIPMENT with you.
• Follow the instructions of the trail staff at all times.
• Flying drones for recreational or personal use is not permitted on the trail.
• In accordance with the Buenavista del Norte Town Council Resolution No. 31/10 of 7 September 2010, Masca Beach remains completely closed to the public.

If you do not have any of the mandatory equipment elements, you will be REFUSED ACCESS to the gorge.

Documents:

• ID document that identifies you as the ticket holder, even for minors.
• Where applicable, proof of being a Canary Islands resident, under 18 years of age, or a member of a Mountaineering or Caving Federation in the Canary Islands Autonomous Region in order to qualify for the discounted rate.
• Trail entrance ticket for the booked time.
• Boat ticket for the Masca Bay-destination port journey.

Clothes and accessories:

• Closed mountain hiking footwear and suitable clothing for hiking. * (Consult information).
• Helmet (this will be loaned to you by Masca Gorge Trail staff and must be returned at the end of the trail).
• Sufficient water (drinking water is not available along the trail). Minimum 1.5 litres per person. 
• Energy bars, nuts or similar food. 
• Mobile with charged battery.
• Specific medication (if required by medical prescription).

* Closed mountain hiking footwear and suitable clothing for hiking.

Mountain hiking boots or closed trekking shoes with lugs are essential for accessing the Masca Gorge Trail. Even if you have a booking, you will not be allowed to access the trail if you aren’t wearing closed mountain hiking boots/shoes such as those shown in the following images:

If you have a booking to access the Masca Gorge Trail but are not wearing suitable mountain hiking footwear, you will not be permitted to access the trail. In other words, you cannot hike the trail in sandals, smooth-soled shoes or trainers, as shown in the following image:

IMPORTANT: In order to allow us to check if you have all the necessary equipment, you must arrive at Masca Visitors’ Centre 30 minutes prior to the booked time. Remember that your ticket includes a transfer, with an estimated journey time of around 20 minutes.For this reason, you need to be at the pick-up point in Santiago del Teide at least 1 hour before your booked time to access the trail. It is essential that you show a proof of having used the transport included in your ticket to access the trail. Otherwise, you will be refused access. 

The return transfer from Los Gigantes (landing port) to the pick-up point in Santiago del Teide is not included in your ticket.

• A hat to protect your head from the sun.
• Sunscreen.
• Sunglasses.
• Trekking poles.
• Some food.
• Garbage bag for waste.

The Masca Gorge Trail is not adapted for people with reduced mobility or sensory disorders.

The special conditions of the trail mean that you must have a good level of fitness to do this activity. It is important that you remember that the jetty may close suddenly due to sudden or unexpected changes in sea conditions, meaning visitors will be required to return to the start point at the Masca Visitors’ Centre on foot, from the point they are at when they are notified. 

The price of your ticket is directly used to cover the conservation and safety costs of the Masca Gorge Trail. Special rates are available for Canary Islands residents, children under 18 and members of a Mountaineering or Caving Federation in the Canary Islands Autonomous Region. Supporting documentation will be requested.

Residents of Tenerife are admitted free of charge. For this reason, requests for refund of the amount paid shall be submitted upon verification of residence at the access control.

Children under 8 are not allowed to take part.

Under-18s must be accompanied by their legal guardian or someone authorised by their guardian.

Masca hamlet is an Asset of Cultural Interest due to its landscapes, ethnography and architecture. It is a good idea to spend some time exploring the hamlet before starting the trail.

How to get to the start of the trail to only do the descent:

If you are descending the trail, the start point is in Masca hamlet in Teno Rural Park on road TF-436 between Buenavista del Norte and Santiago del Teide. 

The descent ticket includes shared transport from Santiago del Teide.

If you are travelling to Santiago del Teide in a private vehicle, you must park in the cemetery car park. You can then walk (a short walk of about 10 minutes) to the meeting point at the TITSA bus stop.

The first pick-up is at 7.30am, with services running every 20-25 minutes and an estimated journey time of around 20 minutes. You need to be at the pick-up point at least 1 hour before your booked descent time slot in order to show your trail access ticket to access this service.

ARRIVING AT THE START OF THE MASCA GORGE TRAIL BY ANY VEHICLE OTHER THAN THE TRANSFER INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKET IS PROHIBITED. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU SHOW A PROOF OF HAVING USED THE TRANSPORT INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET. OTHERWISE, YOU WILL BE REFUSED ACCESS.

At the end of the trail you will travel by boat to the destination jetty—this must be booked in advance. It is also possible to do the journey with sea kayak companies.

At the Masca Visitors’ Centre checkpoint and further checkpoints along the trail, you’ll be asked to show both the trail access ticket and the boat transfer ticket to travel from Masca jetty by sea.

Please bear in mind that the return transfer from Los Gigantes (Landing port) to the pick-up point in Santiago del Teide is not included in your ticket. 

If you do not show your ID document, trail booking ticket, proof of having used the transport from Santiago del Teide  included in your ticket, and boat ticket, you will be refused access to the trail.

The trail is open from 8.30am to 6.00pm.

Masca Visitors’ Centre opens half an hour in advance for obligatory security checks.

The Masca Visitors’ Centre is open from Monday to Thursday from 9.00am to 5.00pm, and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8.00am to 6.00pm.

Your booking ticket will not be valid when either the Masca Gorge Trail or the jetty is closed due to adverse weather conditions or other causes due to force majeure, conservation or maintenance.  Notification will be given on the Booking Office website and anyone directly affected will be contacted as far in advance as technically possible using the contact details provided when booking.

In these circumstances, you may choose between changing the date of your reservation or requesting a refund of the amount paid.

In the event that you do not comply with any of the conditions or rules or do not have the necessary equipment and documents, trail staff will refuse you access to the trail and you will not be given a refund.

Please bear in mind that, during the pilot trial, if you are not at the checkpoint the minimum time in advance necessary, you will lose your right to access and to receive a refund. 

If you have independently booked a ticket for the Masca Gorge Trail through the central booking system, the following conditions are applied to any changes and cancellations: 

72 hours or more in advance:

• Changes or cancellations will be free of charge.
• In the event of a cancellation, you will be refunded 100% of the booking fee.
• In the event of a change, the new date must be within one year of your original booking date. You will be permitted a maximum of two changes.

72 hours or less in advance:

• Changes with less than 72 hours’ notice are not allowed—only cancellations.
• In the event of a cancellation, you will be charged 100% of the booking fee.

If you do not turn up for your booking without requesting a change or cancellation in advance, you will not be given a refund.

If you book a ticket through a collaborating company, the current conditions established by this company will be applicable.

Terms and conditions applicable to collaborating companies:

Once formalised, bookings cannot be changed, only cancelled.

With more than 72 hours’ notice:

• Cancellation will be free of charge and you will be refunded 100% of the booking fee.

72 hours or less in advance:

• You will be charged 100% of the booking fee for the cancellation.

If you do not turn up for your booking without requesting a cancellation in advance, you will not be given a refund.