Masca: A Forgotten Valley
We all know that Tenerife (and also most of the other islands of the Canary archipelago) means diversity. That, in addition to sunny and arid beaches volcanoes, there is a wet, green and abrupt island, where mass tourism is a distant rumor. Today we invite you to discover that other Tenerife: let’s go to Masca!
In the Teno massif, at the western end of the island, communications have never been easy. Some corners have always been practically cut off between steep cliffs and vertiginous valleys. That is the case of Masca, a hamlet of barely a hundred inhabitants near Santiago del Teide.
The ideal hiding place for pirates
The Valley of Masca It is one of those dream places that seem to have been created by some romantic artist. The vegetation crowds the rugged slopes, the road (which did not exist until the seventies) seems unable to reach its destination. But curve after curve, once there, It is clear that it is worth having come. The panoramic view is, for many, the best on the entire island.
Themost common activities in Masca, excursions and hiking, are perfectly complemented by the enhancement of Tenerife’s traditional architectural and cultural heritage; The village and its surroundings are the latest example of the ancestral ways of life of the islanders of past centuries.
The ravine that leads from heaven to paradise
But it is not its cozy house-museum, nor its tiny hermitage, nor the archaeological remains of the nearby and imposing Roque de Tarucho that has brought us here. It is the proximity of the coast, and more specifically of the cliffs of Los Gigantes, which allows us to do from Masca very complete and truly unforgettable excursions.
In Masca, there is no shortage of excursions: the paths between the terraces, the Camino Guanche or Cruz de Hilda-Roque de Abajo are some of them. But the best known and the one that overwhelms those who perform it is the crossing the Masca Ravine, that leads to Masca beach. In just six kilometres of travel we descend more than 600 metres to sea level.
The route is demanding, of moderate difficulty and not suitable for people with a lot of vertigo. You will have to be careful, fix your feet well and use your hands from time to time. You’ll get your feet wet and find yourself enclosed by basalt walls hundreds of meters long that seem about to collapse on your head. Pay attention to loose stones and on the wooden bridge.
But the arrival… You will see a small beach opening up before you about 40 meters, with a small house and a jetty. Opposite, in Atlántico, happily beating the sand and the pebbles. And behind you, and around you, and above, the incredible masses of Los Gigantes. Now the legends that call the beach the last refuge of pirates are explained…
Masca: Hiking, Beach & Cetaceans, All in One
On a practical level, the downhill journey takes about three hours at a leisurely pace. The most common way to avoid repeating the route (and this time going up) is Take a boat at the jetty of the beach of Masca that returns us to civilization; the most normal thing is to go to Puerto de Santiago, enjoying the cliffs and marine fauna along the way.
Among all the excursions to Masca, the one that goes down the ravine of the same name is the most recommended because it can be easily combined with other activities: cultural tourism (we have already mentioned the house-museum and the traditional architectural heritage of Masca), photography (flora and fauna, geological formations, landscapes…), water sports (snorkeling, kayaking, sailing) and a long etcetera.
As we can see, in Masca, excursions besides, we can enjoy other very different and perfectly complementary ways. Take the opportunity to soak up the rural culture of Tenerife, contemplate the harmony of nature in all its splendour, to spy dolphins and whales and, why not, to take a refreshing swim in an almost exclusive beach.
Another option in Masca is to dedicate the day to getting to know the picturesque villages in the surroundings; starting with Masca itself, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (Historic Site). But lovers of the rural without fear of curves will enjoy Teno Alto, Los Carrizales, Las Portelas, Valle de Arriba…
"A landscape is conquered with the soles of the shoe, not with the wheels of the car. – William Faulkner"
A journey of no return
Practically every day excursions leave Masca by locals and visitors who, in small groups, almost in dribs and drabs, want to experience the special experience in person that they have heard others tell. Tourism is one of those sins with penance included; you see too, before it’s too late…
Without wanting to get dramatic, Masca and its surroundings are a tourist destination It is common for lovers of hiking and rural tourism, but it is far from overcrowded. It preserves the charm of the preserved landscapes and Its people have opted for the path of more sustainable tourism.
Thus, we are lucky to be able to make a truly special tour, one of those that not only are not forgotten, but for many people become one of those moments that they will remember fondly throughout their lives. Are we exaggerating by saying that the Barranco de Masca can change your life?
Well, the only way to know for sure is to head to the northwest of the island of Tenerife, make the minimum essential preparations and live the experience yourself. Whether alone or in a more organized way, we can assure you that it will not disappoint you.