The Tenerife Cabildo has implemented new regulations for tourist access to the Barranco de Masca (Masca Valley), introducing a system of controlled visits with mandatory pre-booking. As part of these regulations, the number of daily visitors is capped at 275, and all visitors must buy a boat ticket.
The new regulations have now been published in the Boletín Oficial de la Provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (BOP) by the Department of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies. The primary goal is to regulate the influx of visitors to the village and trail through Masca Valley to mitigate risks and reduce the high volume of vehicles on the TF-436 access road.
Access to the trail is restricted to hiking and must be booked in advance. The reservation fee will cover various costs, including maintaining the reservation system, access control, and conservation efforts.
Tickets are personal, non-transferable, and visitors must show identification to enter. Special rates are available for residents of Tenerife, and children under 14. Additionally, a boat ticket is required to either exit the trail, or to enter if walking it in the opposite direction. Residents of Masca, and property owners in the area, can access the trail freely, either alone or with family members or workers.
Daily access is limited to 275 people, divided into groups of 25 every 30 minutes. The time slot for starting the trail at Control Point 1 for descent is from 8:30am to 1:00pm. For ascent, one group of 25 people will start at 9:00am from Control Point 3, located near the dock.
Reservations can be made individually or by an active tourism company, with a maximum group size of 25. Additionally, 64 of the 100 available slots are reserved for active tourism companies, guides, or local accommodation establishments.
These measures aim to protect the natural environment of Barranco de Masca while ensuring a safe and organised experience for all visitors.
