Permission to Hike the Masca Gorge
Masca Gorge is a unique place on Tenerife with incredible beauty and rare species. Visiting the gorge is now strictly regulated: only allowed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The path includes a descent and ascent, a one-way route is not available as the pier is closed.
Important: you must wear hiking shoes. Without them, you may be denied access. You can buy them at the village store, but they are expensive.
The number of visitors is strictly limited: in summer (from March to October) 25 people are allowed every 30 minutes from 8:30 to 11:00; the rest of the year – 30 people every 30 minutes from 8:30 to 10:30. The return from the beach must start no later than 2:00 pm.
Parking in the village of Masca is not permitted for longer than two hours, so it is recommended to take public transportation or a taxi. Before starting the hike, you need to go through the control at the tourist center.
Children under 8 are not allowed, minors (under 18) must be accompanied by an adult. If the accompanying adult is not the legal guardian, written permission is required.
At the moment, tickets are free. The ticket is individual and non-transferable. You must present an ID to access the trail.
You can get permission at caminobarrancodemasca.com.
The ticket includes: scheduled access time, information about the area and safety measures, staff assistance and accident insurance. Not included: transfer and personal equipment (except helmet).
Sendero de El Pijaral (Bosque Encantado) Trail
In the heart of the island of Tenerife, amidst the magic of the Parque Rural de Anaga, lies one of the most captivating places – the El Pijaral trail, also known as the Enchanted Forest (Bosque Encantado). This trail, about 6.7 kilometers long, is of medium difficulty and very photogenic. The journey begins at the La Ensillada parking lot, passes through the Mirador Cabezo del Tejo with a view of the village of Taganana and the northern coast of Anaga.
El Pijaral is not just a trail, but a journey into the past, into the laurel forests of the Tertiary period, which once covered much of the Mediterranean. Here you can encounter the Pijara, a relic fern reaching three meters in length. Walking this trail is like entering a fairy tale.
To preserve the uniqueness and fragility of this place, access to the trail is limited to 45 people per day. Registration opens 16 days in advance every day at 7:00 local time. Spots fill up quickly – hurry up. Sometimes rangers check reservations, just show it on your phone screen.
Get a free permit at centralreservas.tenerife.es.
Monte de Aguirre
You also need to get a permit for another trail in Anaga at centralreservas.tenerife.es.
Trail to the Top of Teide
To hike up Teide or take the cable car, no permit is required. At the top, you’ll find several epic viewpoints. However, there is a short trail to the volcano’s crater, and for that, you need a permit.
Life hack: the checkpoint opens at 8 or 9 am, and before that time, you can go without a permit.
If you can’t get a permit, you’ll have to settle for just the viewpoints, or there’s a more rugged option. Leave at 2 am, hike to the top of Teide, and watch the sunrise there. I did it that way – it’s challenging but doable. I probably wouldn’t hike at night a second time. It’s more interesting during the day.
You can get a free permit at reservasparquesnacionales.es, but you’ll have to work hard to get it.
