The Incredible Santiago del Teide to Masca Hike In Tenerife

The hike from Santiago del Teide to Masca is one of the most beautiful hikes in Tenerife and also one of my personal favorites. While the start of the hike might be pretty boring, once you reach the top of the hill you’ll be greeted by the most spectacular views.

This route connects the town of Santiago del Teide with the picturesque village of Masca, known for its dramatic mountainous settings and deep ravines.

The trail offers stunning panoramas of the Teno Mountains and provides a unique view of the volcanic landscape that characterizes this part of the island. If you’re lucky you can even see Mount Teide in all its glory on a clear day!

In this article I will tell you everything you need to know to have an amazing time on the Santiago del Teide to Masca hike.

Santiago del Teide to Masca Hiking Stats

Hiking Distance – 9.5km

Elevation – 350m

Route Type – Point to point

Duration – 3.5 hours (with a small detour to Risco Verde included)

Level – Moderate. The trail starts with a steady inclination. Once you’ve reached the top it only goes downwards until you reach the Masca Valley.

Parking Lot – Park your car on Av. de la Iglesia next to Merendero Santiago del Teide. That way you’re pretty close to the start of the hiking trail.

Best time to visit – I recommend starting your hike in the morning. The Teno mountains are often covered in clouds and in the morning there’s less chance of high coverage and rain.

Interesting facts about the Teno Mountains in Tenerife

The Teno Mountains are part of one of the three main volcanic structures that make up Tenerife. These mountains are some of the oldest parts of the island, with volcanic activity dating back approximately 7 million years. This makes them crucial for understanding the volcanic history of the Canary Islands.

The Teno Mountains offer some of the most dramatic landscapes in Tenerife, including steep cliffs, deep ravines, and lush forests.

The region has a rich cultural heritage, with small villages and hamlets that maintain traditional Canarian ways of life. Masca, one of the most picturesque villages in the Canary Islands, is nestled in the heart of the Teno Mountains and is a prime example of this cultural preservation.

The Teno Mountains are located in the northwestern tip of Tenerife, making them one of the most remote and least developed parts of the island. This isolation has helped preserve both the natural environment and the traditional lifestyles of the area’s inhabitants.

How to get to the Santiago del Teide to Masca trailhead

Getting to Santiago del Teide can vary depending on your starting point on the island.

By Car

From the Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofia Airport), the drive takes about 40 minutes. You would take the TF-1 motorway north towards Playa de las Américas, follow it until you reach the exit for TF-82, which leads directly to Santiago del Teide.

From Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the journey takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Take the TF-5 motorway west, then switch to TF-82 at Icod de los Vinos and continue to Santiago del Teide.

🅿️ PARKING – Park your car on Av. de la Iglesia next to Merendero Santiago del Teide. That way you’re pretty close to the start of the hiking trail.

🚗 Rent a car by using SunnyCars. There’s never any hidden costs with them and free cancellation up to 1 hour before rental start. Their price is transparent and everything is included.

By Public Bus (Guagua)

TITSA, the public bus company in Tenerife, operates several routes that connect Santiago del Teide with other parts of the island.

Bus line 460 connects Santiago del Teide with Costa Adeje and Icod de los Vinos, providing access from both the south and north of the island.

For those coming from Santa Cruz or other eastern parts, you might need to change buses at a major hub like Icod de los Vinos or Guía de Isora.

💡 TIP – Since the hike is point-to-point, consider arranging transportation back to your starting point. You can use public buses or a taxi. Some hikers arrange for a taxi to pick them up in Masca to return to Santiago del Teide or continue to another destination.

Hiking the Santiago del Teide to Masca hike with a baby

We completed the Santiago del Teide to Masca hike when César was 3 months old and it was our very first time traveling with a baby and especially, hiking with a baby!

This was one of the last hiking trails that we did during our 7 days in Tenerife and since this was one of the longer trails we hiked, we decided it would be best that Christof carried César in his carrier. For that reason I didn’t feel the need to bring my hiking poles.

The most strenuous part of the trail is at the start where a lot of switchbacks will take you up the mountain. But afterwards it’s a steady decline to the village of Masca.

I never had the feeling that this hike was too dangerous to complete with a baby in a carrier. If you have experience hiking and you wear sturdy hiking boots it’s completely safe.

💡 TIP – Bring enough sun protection for your baby cause the trail is exposed to the sun the entire time.

How to hike the Santiago del Teide to Masca trail – A step by step guide

The hike traditionally starts in the small town of Santiago del Teide, a village accessible by car or bus from major points on the island. For navigating to the trailhead I used the AllTrails app. This way you can park as close as possible to the start of the trail.

💡 TIP – There was a lot of construction going on to make the trail more accessible. But when we were there in November 2023 it was nowhere near finished. So to get to the trailhead we had to walk alongside the road for the first 200 meter.

The start of the hike is honestly pretty boring with just a lot of switchbacks that eventually lead you to the top of the Teno Mountains. Make sure to turn around! Especially on a clear day you’ll be able to admire Mount Teide in all its glory.

The next viewpoint isn’t part of the official hiking trail but definitely worth a very small detour! It’s called Pico Verde and only adds an additional 20 minutes to your hiking time. It was one of the most spectacular viewpoints of the entire hike but very windy when we were there.

After rejoining the official path all that is left is a steady decline down to the Masca gorge. Along the way you’ll pass through a laurel forest and be able to admire the Teno Mountains in all their glory.

💡 TIP – The weather in the Teno Mountains can change rapidly. Make sure to bring sun and rain protection!

The trail descends down to Mirador de Cruz de Hilda, one of the most famous viewpoints in the Teno Mountains. With that also comes a lot of other tourists unfortunately. While up until that time we had only encountered a couple of other hikes, all of a sudden we were surrounded by cars and people.

The viewpoint even comes with its own platform and restaurant! To be fair, there are worse places to enjoy a fresh beer :D.

Continue following the hiking trail down and you’ll pass by some farmlands and in between local houses. I could honestly never imagine living so remote myself, but it must be a peaceful life.

After a few more minutes you’ll finally arrive to Masca, often referred to as the most beautiful village of Tenerife, with its traditional Canarian architecture and spectacular mountain backdrop.

Since the hike is point-to-point, consider arranging transportation back to your starting point. You can use public buses or a taxi. Some hikers arrange for a taxi to pick them up in Masca to return to Santiago del Teide or continue to another destination.

Our story – We got very lucky! We figured we would simply take the bus back but before we could it started pouring rain. Think monsoon type of rain. Really not ideal if you have a sleepy baby in a baby carrier… We were tucked underneath a very small and narrow bus stop but luckily someone saw us struggling and offered to give us a ride back down to Santiago del Teide ❤️.

I’m usually a big fan of AllTraills but with this hike I really don’t understand why they call if a loop. They suggest you hike all the way back alongside the road. But you have to image this road from Masca to Santiago del Teide (TF-436) is one hairpin curve after another and often cars can’t even decently pass next to each other. Let alone that we would have walked on that road with César!

So the only two ways I would recommend this hike is:

• A point to point hike where you arrange your transportation back from before.
• An out & back hike where you simply return the same way that you came. Your hiking time will double but if you have the time this is by far the cheapest option. This just wasn’t an option for us since we had César with us.

The best time to hike in the Teno Mountains

Spring is arguably the best time to hike in the Teno Mountains. The weather is mild, and the rainfall from the winter months brings the landscape to life, with lush vegetation and blooming flowers. The temperatures are comfortable for hiking, generally ranging from 15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F), and the paths are less crowded compared to the peak tourist seasons.

Autumn is another excellent time for hiking in the Teno Mountains. The heat of the summer has subsided, and the weather remains warm but not oppressive, with average temperatures similar to those in spring. This season also sees fewer tourists, providing a quieter experience on the trails. Additionally, the autumn light casts beautiful hues on the landscapes, making it ideal for photography.

Winter in the Teno Mountains is mild compared to many other hiking destinations in Europe. Although it is the wettest season, the rainfall is generally not excessive, and sunny days are still common. Winter temperatures are cooler, averaging around 11°C to 18°C (52°F to 64°F), which can be perfect for those who prefer cooler hiking conditions. However, always check the weather forecast for any storm warnings, especially when planning hikes in higher or more exposed areas.

Summer is the least ideal time to hike in the Teno Mountains due to the high temperatures, which can reach up to 30°C (86°F) or higher. The heat can make midday hiking particularly challenging and potentially unsafe. If you choose to hike during this season, start early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the peak sun hours, and always carry plenty of water, sun protection, and a hat.

💡 TIP – Always check the local weather forecast before heading out, as conditions can change rapidly, especially in mountainous areas.

Where to stay in Tenerife

I can’t recommend The Ritz Carlton Abama enough but staying here is what made our trip absolutely unforgettable. It’s only a short drive away from most hiking trails and you won’t have to deal with the daily traffic jams in the south of Tenerife.

We stayed at their Villa Club Deluxe which comes with a semi private heated pool, exclusive access to El Mirador for breakfast and includes complimentary drinks and snacks by the pool.

All in all it was the perfect hotel to stay in Tenerife with our baby.

If you have any questions about how to visit Tenerife or if you want to share your experience, comment below!

More information on Tenerife

The Spectacular Roque de Taborno Hike In Tenerife

The Incredible Punta del Hidalgo To Chinamada Hike In Tenerife

The Spectacular Roques de Garcia Hike In Tenerife

The 9 Very Best Baby Friendly Luxury Hotels In Tenerife

The Very Best 7 Days Tenerife Travel Itinerary

9 Very Best Things To Do In Anaga Rural Park Tenerife

The Ritz-Carlton Abama – The Best Luxury Hotel In Tenerife To Stay With A Baby

The 7 Very Best Hikes In Tenerife (Map + Tips Included)

All rights reserved © Charlies Wanderings. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

Charlotte

Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!

Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
We’ve been traveling together since 2020 and the best adventures are yet to come!
Read our full story here