Barranco del Infierno: Booking and Hiking Guide

Barranco del Infierno is one of the most accessible controlled hikes for travellers staying around Costa Adeje.

The reserve sits above Adeje town, close to the southern resort belt, but the experience is very different from the beach: a protected ravine walk through rugged terrain toward the upper part of the gorge.

Access is regulated and ticketed, so this is not a trail to add spontaneously after breakfast without checking availability.

Do you need to book?

Yes.

Barranco del Infierno uses controlled entry.

The official booking system allocates access and publishes the current visitor conditions.

If the hike matters to your trip, reserve rather than assuming you can arrive and enter.

Rules, operating days and access can change because the site is managed for both safety and conservation.

How difficult is the hike?

The official reserve describes the route as a roughly 6.5 km round trip over rocky terrain.

The exact difficulty depends on fitness, heat and conditions.

It is not a technical mountain ascent, but it is also not a paved tourist walk.

Expect:

• uneven ground;
• sustained walking;
• exposed sections;
• heat in the south;
• a fixed access system.

Wear proper footwear and bring enough water.

Mandatory equipment

The official booking conditions currently require suitable footwear for rocky terrain.

A helmet is provided and must be worn according to the reserve's rules.

Do not arrive in flip-flops, smooth sandals or unsuitable resort shoes.

Check the current conditions before the day because safety rules can change.

Children

Current official conditions set a minimum age and require minors to be accompanied according to the reserve's rules.

If you are travelling with children, verify the current age policy when booking rather than relying on a secondary guide.

Even when a child meets the age requirement, ask whether they are comfortable walking the full route in warm conditions.

For general family planning, see Tenerife with kids.

Where is Barranco del Infierno?

The trail is in Adeje, inland from the resort coast.

That makes it particularly convenient from:

• Costa Adeje;
• Playa de las Américas;
• Los Cristianos.

It is one of the few significant Tenerife hikes that can fit into a southern-resort holiday without using an entire day for transport.

How much time should you allow?

Treat it as a half-day activity.

You need time for:

• reaching Adeje;
• check-in;
• safety instructions;
• the walk;
• breaks;
• returning to the coast.

Do not put a tightly timed whale-watching departure or airport transfer immediately after the hike.

Give yourself margin.

Best time of day

An earlier session is attractive because:

• temperatures may be more comfortable;
• you have more daylight margin;
• the afternoon remains flexible.

Availability and the reserve's current timetable determine the real choice.

Avoid planning the hike around an exact old opening time from a blog.

Heat and sun

Barranco del Infierno is in southern Tenerife, where sun and heat can be significant.

Bring:

• water;
• sun protection;
• hat;
• suitable clothing;
• food if permitted and useful for your group.

The ravine can create shade in places, but that does not remove the need for sun preparation.

What happens if conditions are poor?

Controlled natural areas can close for safety.

Heavy rain, high temperatures or other hazards may affect access.

Check current reserve information before leaving the hotel.

If the trail closes, use the day for:

• a beach;
• Adeje/Costa Adeje;
• another booked activity that is still operating.

Do not attempt to bypass a closure.

Barranco del Infierno vs Anaga

Choose Barranco del Infierno if:

• you are based in the south;
• you want a defined half-day hike;
• you prefer dry ravine scenery;
• controlled access does not bother you.

Choose Anaga if:

• laurel forest and ridges are the priority;
• you want multiple route choices;
• you are happy to spend longer travelling from the south.

They are different Tenerife landscapes.

Barranco del Infierno vs Masca Gorge

Both are ravine hikes, but the logistics are very different.

Masca involves a more complex current access system with shared land transport and sea-exit requirements for the regulated gorge route.

Barranco del Infierno is geographically easier for southern visitors and usually simpler to fit into the week.

If you mainly want the famous Masca scenery rather than a demanding hike, visit the village without hiking the gorge.

Guided or independent?

Standard reserve entry already gives you a controlled environment.

A guided option can add:

• natural-history context;
• route interpretation;
• less uncertainty for first-time hikers.

Independent entry suits visitors who are comfortable walking a signed route and following the reserve rules.

Compare what a guided product adds beyond admission.

What to do afterwards

A good combination is:

1. morning hike;
2. lunch in Adeje or Costa Adeje;
3. relaxed beach or pool afternoon.

Do not use the rest of the day to cross the island.

The value of this hike is that it creates an active day while staying close to the south.

Is it worth it?

Yes, for travellers who want a real hike without committing to an Anaga or Teide expedition.

It is especially useful for a one-week trip based in Costa Adeje.

It is less important if you already plan several demanding hikes in Teide, Anaga and Teno.

For the island-wide comparison, use hiking in Tenerife.