Barranco del Infierno
South Tenerife's most spectacular hiking trail. A 7-million-year canyon with 200m waterfall at the end - island's highest. Protected Nature Reserve with Guanche caves, rock engravings, endemic flora. Just 15 min drive from Costa Adeje. MANDATORY BOOKING (max 300 people/day). From ~€8-11.
Barranco del Infierno is a protected nature reserve of 1,843 hectares in the municipality of Adeje - and probably the best hiking excursion you can do if you're staying in south Tenerife. The name ('Hell's Ravine') comes from its rugged character - the Guanches called it that too, and according to legend Nautemio, an entrance to hell, was located here. The trail is linear: 6.5 km round trip, ~3-3.5 hours. Moderate difficulty - it's not mountaineering and you don't need special gear, but you do need proper footwear (they check at the entrance - no flip-flops allowed). You receive a mandatory helmet free at the start. The route begins at 350m altitude with spectacular views over the south coast. The first section crosses tabaiba and cardón zones (typical dry, exotic southern flora). As you climb, the landscape changes radically: dragon trees, junipers, palms, willows appear. Humidity increases. Halfway along you pass the Bailadero de las Brujas - a sacred Guanche site where they held ceremonies, festive gatherings and prayed to their gods for water and pastures. Eerie and fascinating. Further on, ancient atarjeas (water channels over 400 years old) show how the permanent stream was harnessed. In the rock walls are caves the Guanches inhabited - hundreds have been found with rock engravings, aboriginal tools, and a mummy over 1,600 years old (now in the Museum of Nature and Archaeology in Santa Cruz). After La Cogedera (rest area before the final stretch, narrower between tall walls), the path enters a humid, jungle-like microclimate. And at the end: a waterfall of nearly 200 meters - the tallest in Tenerife. Depending on the season it flows more or less, but it's always spectacular to see the water cascading between rock walls. No swimming allowed. Access limited to 300 people/day to protect the ecosystem - MANDATORY ONLINE BOOKING. Slots sell out, especially in high season: book several days ahead.
TF-1 → exit 79 (from east) or 81 (from west) → Adeje village (NOT the coastal hotel zone). Up to Calle de los Molinos, 46. NOTE: village streets are narrow.
TITSA 416, 417 or 473 to Adeje village (stop Avda. Constitución or Correos). Then ~8-10 min uphill walk to trailhead.
Get here by busParking near Casa Fuerte (Calle Tagoror, between Casa Fuerte and Parroquia de Santa Úrsula). Not free but not expensive either. Limited - arrive EARLY. From the parking: 8 min uphill walk along Calle de los Molinos to the entrance. Adeje village streets are narrow, drive slowly.
Navigate to parkingCRITICAL TIPS:
1. BOOK DAYS AHEAD at barrancodelinfierno.es. No booking = no entry. In high season it sells out fast. This is the most important thing on this page.
2. FOOTWEAR: they check at the entrance. Flip-flops, beach sandals = THEY WON'T LET YOU IN. Closed athletic shoes minimum, ideally trekking footwear. The terrain is rocky and slippery.
3. MANDATORY HELMET: provided free at the entrance. Keep it on the ENTIRE trail even if it's hot. There is real risk of rockfalls (the canyon was closed 2010-2015 after fatal accidents). This is not a joke.
4. WATER AND SUN: bring at least 1 liter per person, more in summer. The first section has no shade. Cap, sunscreen. The southern heat is real.
5. FIRST SLOT: take the earliest available slot (8:30). Less heat, fewer people, better experience. By the time you return, the temperature rises.
6. LA COGEDERA: rest point about 2/3 into the hike. Rest here, eat something, hydrate. After this point the trail narrows between tall walls - the most spectacular section but also where you need the most care.
7. THE WATERFALL: the reward at the end. 200m drop between rock walls. In winter/spring it flows stronger. In summer it may be a trickle, but the landscape is still impressive. No swimming allowed.
8. BAILADERO DE LAS BRUJAS: halfway along. Sacred Guanche site. The information panels tell the story - don't skip them.
9. CHILDREN: under 5 not allowed. Ages 5-16 must be accompanied by an adult. The trail is suitable for kids with some walking experience - it's not difficult but it is 6.5 km.
10. ADEJE VILLAGE: when you finish, take time to stroll through the village of Adeje. Casa Fuerte (16th-century fortress), Iglesia de Santa Úrsula, charming streets. A nice contrast with the hotel zone down below.
11. PERFECT COMBO: Barranco del Infierno in the morning (first slot) → lunch in Adeje village → down to Playa del Duque or La Caleta in the afternoon.
Barranco del Infierno was carved by water erosion over 7 million years in the Teno massif. The Guanches inhabited its caves - hundreds have been found with rock engravings, aboriginal tools, and a mummy over 1,600 years old (preserved in the Museum of Nature and Archaeology in Santa Cruz). The Bailadero de las Brujas was a sacred place where they held dances, festive gatherings and rituals asking their deities for water and pastures. The name 'Infierno' (Hell) comes from the canyon's rugged character. According to Guanche legend, Nautemio was located here - an entrance to hell, the setting for the tragic love story of Iora, Xampó and Saute - a love triangle that ended with Xampó thrown into the abyss, only to return as a vengeful giant. The presence of water determined the settlement of Adeje - the atarjeas (water channels) of the canyon are over 400 years old. The canyon was closed to the public between 2010 and 2015 after fatal accidents; it reopened with safety measures (mandatory helmet, visitor limit).
Book first slot (8:30) → arrive early for parking → visitor centre (helmet, info) → first section with coast views → Bailadero de las Brujas → ancient water channels → La Cogedera (rest) → narrow final section → WATERFALL → return same way → lunch in Adeje village → afternoon at Playa del Duque or La Caleta.
The Grand Viewpoint - panorama of the gorge and south coast
Gran Mirador - 30-45 min from start. Spectacular canyon panorama with south coast and ocean behind. Early morning with good light.
The 200 m waterfall at the end of the trail
The waterfall at trail's end - 200m of water cascading between rock walls. The reward. In winter/spring with more flow = more photogenic. The scale is hard to capture: put a person in the foreground.