
challenging
6–7 hours
Requires good aerobic fitness, agility for scrambling, and comfort with swimming in natural pools.
Follow a winding road into Masca Gorge and hike through banana terraces, laurel forest, and river rapids to reach natural pools and waterfalls. This guided Teno adventure blends light canyoneering with jungle-like landscapes and a chance to swim in secluded springs.
The road down into Masca tightens like a fist around the mountain—hairpins unfold, the Atlantic flashes between terraces, and the car finally lets you out at a low, stone restaurant where the guide waits. You step onto a path that slips past banana and avocado plantations, then into a green world that feels older than the island’s resorts: towering laurel, moss-dark rocks, and a dry riverbed that begins to whisper. The trail dents and climbs, and within half an hour you’re inside the Masca Gorge proper, where rock walls funnel the stream and the forest closes in until the sunlight is a pale coin through leaves.

Expect wet boulder-hopping and slippery slabs—sturdy trail shoes with good tread reduce slip risk.
Phones and cameras are exposed during the wet section—keep valuables dry in a small waterproof sack.
Carry at least 1.5–2 liters of water and high-energy snacks; there are no services on the trail.
Mountains can be cooler and windier than the coast—pack a lightweight wind shell and quick-dry layers.
The Teno massif is among Tenerife’s oldest volcanic structures; small terraces and tracks in the area reflect centuries of local farming and use by the island’s early inhabitants.
The laurel and stream habitats are sensitive—stick to paths, avoid soap in pools, and pack out all trash to protect rare plants and clean water.
Grip and ankle support for wet rock and loose scree.
You’ll spend an hour in the water—layers that dry fast are ideal.
Protect electronics during the wet section and river crossings.
Useful for cool mountain breezes and sudden showers.
fall specific