EASY HIKE IN TENERIFE, IN THE SOUTH AREA OF THE ISLAND - TO THE BARRANCO DEL INFIERNO WATERFALL
Tenerife is one of the most attractive destinations in terms of tourist activities: gorgeous beaches, spectacular volcanic landscapes, snorkelling, water parks, surf beaches and the list goes on and on.
If I had to choose only one tourist activity for which I would recommend the island of Tenerife, it would be hiking. The spectacular volcanic landscapes, with a flora that you rarely meet in other areas of Europe, make Tenerife the perfect place to enjoy nature.
In this article I'm going to tell you about a hike I went on that I really liked and I recommend it. Besides the fact that it is very beautiful, it is also quite easy to walk. I wrote about how I organized my vacation in Tenerife and the locations I visited in a separate article, here.
HOW TO GET TO THE ROUTE ENTRANCE: The entrance to the route is 2 km from the town of Adeje. It is very easy to reach if you set Barranco del Infierno on Google Maps or other Sat Nav and depending on the means of transport used, it will guide you the exact location. If you come by car, it is good to know that there is no parking lot, we parked on the street.
If you are staying in or near the town of Adeje and choose to walk to the entrance to the route, I must mention the fact that the streets are extremely steep and you have a lot of climbing to do, I would not recommend this option.
VISITING RULES:
To do this hike, you will have to pay a ticket of 11 euros/person. In the ticket price, a protective helmet is also provided. Tickets can be purchased at the counter within the limit of available spaces or online, from the official website, reserving the exact day and time.
The route takes about 3 hours round trip, being about 6 km, quite easy to walk, with small differences of level. Along the entire length of the route, you will meet employees of the park who monitor each person. Being a protected area, you are not allowed to leave the path, and the number of visitors is limited to 300/day. The visiting schedule starts at 8:30, the last entrance is at 11:30 and it is recommended to make a reservation in advance.
Although bad weather is very rare in Tenerife, it is preferable to check the weather forecast before planning a visit here, because if there is strong wind or rain, the route can become dangerous and is closed to the public.
ABOUT THE HIKE ON BARRANCO DEL INFIERNO PATH: As I said above, park employees take all measures to protect tourists, offering them protective helmets and monitoring them throughout the hike. To me, personally, it did not seem like a difficult or dangerous route, especially if we compare it with routes from Bucegi or Fagaras Mountains, Romania. I saw that it can be done without problems even by children.
The first part of the route is on a path very little covered by vegetation, thus allowing us to admire the spectacular landscapes towards the ocean. From place to place, you can admire huge cacti, grown in the volcanic rock. Once you pass the first part of the route, there follows a much poorer portion of vegetation, this time without a view of the ocean, but of the "sea" of volcanic rock. Along this portion of the trail, hikers also encounter some level differences, consisting of successive ascents and descents, which add a touch of adventure and dynamism to the trip. Although the slope is moderate and does not involve major risks, these sections can become quite demanding, especially for those less used to physical exertion. The degree of difficulty can increase considerably on hot days, as the trail crosses open areas, fully exposed to the sun, with few shaded places to rest or cool off. Despite these mild challenges, the route remains accessible and enjoyable, and the extra effort is fully rewarded by the spectacular scenery and the authentic experience of being in the heart of nature.
The last part of the route runs among the imposing and steep cliffs at the foot of the mountain, where the path becomes narrower and more winding, winding through a wild landscape, shaped by the weather and the passage of time. In this segment, the trail is bordered by jagged stone walls on both sides, and the impressively sized rocks seem to surround you, creating a mysterious and out-of-time atmosphere. Being a shaded area with sufficient water sources, this area is very rich in vegetation. Here you can admire dragon trees, wild jasmine, mastic tree and many other plants, grown without human intervention.
Archaeological discoveries have shown that part of the Guanches population lived here. Many years later, the population of Spanish origin that settled in this area redirected the water from the canyon to the villages near the sea, using it specifically for agriculture. Nowadays, this canyon is a protected area. It is forbidden to enter the water because this can negatively influence the vegetation and fauna of the area.
In addition to the spectacular landscapes that take your breath away at every turn, the fauna and flora of this area are truly remarkable, offering a spectacle of nature that you rarely encounter. The vegetation here includes an impressive diversity of cacti and other succulent plants, perfectly adapted to the specific climate and soil conditions. These plants, of various shapes and sizes, stretch along the path, creating an almost desert landscape, punctuated by vibrant shades of green and yellow.
Unfortunately, although I really wanted to, I was not lucky enough to spot any of the birds of prey that often make their nests on the steep cliffs of this region, such as the hawks or eagles that soar gracefully in the sky. But even without the presence of these majestic birds of prey, I was delighted by the small creatures that enlivened the landscape – colorful butterflies that flew from flower to flower, small lizards that crept among the stones and rare insects that had found refuge in this special habitat. The diversity of living things and their ingenious adaptation to the environment added a special charm to the whole trek and gave me a wonderful opportunity to observe nature in all its authentic splendor.
The final point of the spectacular route through Barranco del Infierno is marked by a unique and surprising waterfall, also called Barranco del Infierno, which, despite its imposing name, is just a delicate trickle of water flowing smoothly down the steep and high cliffs of the gorge. This modest waterfall, instead of impressing with its flow, captivates with its impressive natural landscape, contrasting with the rocky heights that surround it and the lush vegetation that frames it. The view offers an oasis of tranquility, interrupted only by the sound of water falling from above, thus completing the experience of traveling through this mysterious and fascinating gorge.
OTHER HIKING ROUTES IN TENERIFE:
WHERE TO STAY IN ADEJE:
Among the options available on Booking, the ones that caught my attention the most are:
MYND Adeje - accommodation unit rated at 4 stars, which has double rooms or suites. It is equipped with two swimming pools and two restaurants. It has private parking and accepts pets;
Royal Hideaway Corales Beach - Adults Only - accommodation unit rated at 5 stars, which has double rooms, most of them with a view to the ocean, and some rooms have a jacuzzi. It is equipped with two swimming pools, spa area, 3 restaurants. It has private parking and immediate access to the beach;
Apartment Orlando Wave - apartment-type accommodation unit with one bedroom and an extendable sofa. It has a private kitchen, spa area, fitness room, bar, outdoor pool, immediate access to the beach, parking included in the price of the reservation, and a transfer to the airport is offered on request;
CONCLUSION ON THE ROUTE TO BARRANCO DEL INFIERNO:
This hiking trail, although located in one of the most popular and frequented tourist areas of the island, remains surprisingly under-promoted, which is why it is not very well known among tourists visiting the region. As if hidden from the eyes of the crowds looking for the main attractions, the route offers a quiet and authentic experience, perfect for those who want to escape from the usual crowds and discover the beauty of nature in a relaxing and intimate way. Being a relatively short and easy route, the recommendation is to reserve a few hours, preferably early in the morning, when the air is fresh and the sun is not yet very strong, to fully enjoy the special landscapes and the tranquility of the place. This short foray offers a wonderful opportunity to experience another facet of the island, less known and commercialized, but all the more special and glamorous.
Read also about the route through El Caminito del Rey, in Spain, or routes in Romania such as: Piatra Craiului Ridge, Bicajel's Gorges, or Pricopan's Peak.
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