The Island of Tenerife is one of the most beautiful resorts in Spain, offering picturesque Spanish villages, prehistoric forests, fertile valleys, and, of course, bays with luxurious beaches. The pristine nature captivates visitors with its perfection, and it’s impossible not to fall in love with this magnificence. The island boasts numerous attractions, including natural wonders, with Masca Gorge being a true gem enveloped in legends of hidden pirates and treasures. Its depth reaches up to 1,300 meters in some places!
Magnificent Masca Ravine is nestled among the rocky cliffs of the island, but the legends of pirate treasures purportedly hidden there act as a magnet, attracting adventurers (and treasure hunters!) from all over the planet. Reaching the village named after the gorge, where the journey begins, is not an easy task: maneuvering two cars on the steep mountain serpentine roads can be challenging. However, this doesn’t deter explorers because, even at the beginning of the path, it feels like stepping into a real lost world!
Traditionally, hiking through the gorge starts in the village of Masca, home to only about a hundred residents. Despite its tiny size, this village is one of the most visited places on the Island of Tenerife. Apart from being the starting point of the famous route, it boasts a unique atmosphere of an old Canarian village. Just 60 years ago, the only way to reach this place was by foot along mountain trails. Electricity and other modern amenities were non-existent. Today, the locals engage in agriculture and cater to tourists who come here for an unforgettable hike through the gorge.
Tiny village nestled among the Teno Mountains, which is one of the oldest geological parts of Tenerife. Its rich endemic flora and breathtaking rocky formations are the result of numerous volcanic eruptions that occurred eight million years ago.
Until the 1960s, the picturesque mountain village of Masca could only be reached on foot or by donkey. Nowadays, it is easily accessible by car. The winding road passes through deep ravines covered in lush green vegetation, and the natural beauty of this secluded and stunning place will captivate you.
The length of the hiking trail is approximately 6 kilometers. It’s difficult to get lost, as there are markers along the way that always point in the right direction. For convenience, ropes are placed in some areas to help navigate challenging sections. At the end of the trail, adventurers are rewarded with the magnificent Atlantic Ocean.
The Masca Gorge and the walk through it provide an unforgettable experience of being one with nature, and the fantastic local landscapes will linger in your dreams for a long time. Overcoming all obstacles, hikers reach a small beach. From there, occasional boats depart to the neighboring village of Los Gigantes, so there’s no need to retrace the same path uphill.
In 2018, a tragic incident occurred in the Masca Gorge when eight tourists were trapped and forced to spend the night in a cave due to bad weather. Fortunately, with the help of rescuers, everyone was safely evacuated. However, the trail was subsequently closed. Currently, work is being done to ensure additional safety measures, so in the near future, visitors will be able to enjoy the unique beauty of the local nature once again.
