Barranco del Infierno: The Gorge Hike Every South Tenerife Visitor Should Know About

What Barranco del Infierno Actually Is

Barranco del Infierno, which translates loosely as the 'Ravine of Hell', is a protected natural area and hiking trail cut deep into the volcanic rock above the town of Adeje in south Tenerife. The name sounds dramatic, and the landscape partly earns it: sheer basalt walls, a narrow canyon floor, and dense native vegetation that shuts out the sky in places. At the far end of the trail, a permanent waterfall drops into a rocky pool, an unusual sight in this dry corner of the island.

The site is classified as a Special Nature Reserve by the Canary Islands government. That classification has real consequences for visitors: daily access is capped at roughly 300 people via timed slots, online booking is mandatory before you show up, children under five are not admitted, and pets are not allowed on the trail. This is not a casual stroll through a public park. It is a controlled natural area, managed with conservation as the priority.

The Trail: What to Expect on the Ground

The trail begins at the entrance gate on Calle Molinos, at the top edge of Adeje's old town. From the first few steps, the path descends into the ravine proper, following a historic water channel, or acequia, that was once used to irrigate the agricultural terraces below. The channel stonework is still partially intact in sections and gives the trail an unexpected historical texture beyond pure nature walking.

The path is rated medium to high difficulty. Total distance is approximately 6.5 kilometres return, with a cumulative elevation gain that makes the return leg feel noticeably harder than the outward journey. The surface underfoot ranges from compacted earth to loose rocks and uneven stone steps. Proper footwear is not optional here. The management company rents trekking shoes and poles at the entrance for around €4 each, but bringing your own sturdy hiking shoes is preferable.

The ravine walls gradually close in as you move deeper into the gorge. The microclimate shifts perceptibly: it is noticeably cooler and more humid than the surrounding coastal resort zone, and the air carries the smell of damp rock and wild vegetation. The plant life includes Canary Islands-specific species adapted to these sheltered, moisture-retaining ravine conditions. You will hear the trail before you see the endpoint, as the sound of falling water reaches you around the final bend.

The Waterfall: Worth the Hike?

The waterfall at the end of the trail is the reason most people make the trip. It is a genuine permanent waterfall fed by natural spring water, which makes it unusual in the dry south of Tenerife. The drop is modest rather than spectacular, but in context — surrounded by volcanic rock walls and subtropical vegetation, after roughly a 3.25‑kilometre walk — it carries real weight. The pool at the base is small and shallow, and visitors are asked not to enter the water.

Photographers should note that the waterfall is almost always in shadow by mid-morning due to the orientation of the gorge walls. Early entry slots, particularly in summer, tend to catch better light on the walk in, but the waterfall itself does not get direct sun at any accessible visiting time. Bring a tripod if slow-shutter waterfall shots are your goal; the light levels are low and a phone camera alone will produce disappointing results.

Timing, Crowds, and When to Go

Entry is permitted in timed morning slots only. In summer (1 June to 15 September), entry runs from approximately 08:00 to 10:30, with the park closing around 14:00. In the winter period (16 September to 31 May), entry extends slightly later, to around 11:30, with the park closing around 14:30. These windows are not flexible. Everyone needs to be out before closing time, and the staff do enforce this.

The earliest slots are the least crowded and offer the most pleasant walking conditions, particularly in summer when midday temperatures on the return climb can become uncomfortably hot even within the ravine. The trail is narrow in places, and when two groups converge heading in opposite directions, passing requires care. With 300 visitors spread across a 2.5-hour entry window, the path never feels truly empty, but it rarely feels overcrowded either, especially compared to the resort beaches below.

Spring and early autumn offer the most balanced conditions: temperatures are comfortable without summer heat, and the vegetation tends to be greener after any winter rainfall. The trail is also accessible in winter, and the lower crowd volumes in January or February can make for a more peaceful experience, though return light fades faster in the afternoon if you linger.

For a broader picture of what Tenerife's hiking calendar looks like across the island, the hiking in Tenerife guide covers trail options from the Anaga coast to Teide, with seasonal advice.

Getting There from Costa Adeje

The trailhead is at Calle Molinos 46, in the upper part of Adeje town, which sits a few kilometres inland and uphill from the main Costa Adeje resort strip. By car, the drive takes around 10 minutes from most hotels in Costa Adeje, and there is a small paid car park near the entrance. By taxi, the journey is short and inexpensive from the resort zone. The taxi is the easiest option for those without a hire car.

Public bus services (TITSA) connect Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos with Adeje town, but the bus stop drops you in the lower part of town. From there, the walk up to the Barranco entrance is a steep uphill climb through Adeje's narrow streets, adding around 15 to 20 minutes to your journey and requiring reasonably good fitness before the hike even starts. Check current TITSA timetables on the operator's official website before travelling, as schedules are subject to change.

If you are staying in the south and planning several day trips, the getting around Tenerife guide explains the bus network, taxi etiquette, and car hire considerations across the island.

Historical and Ecological Context

The ravine's name has uncertain origins, though theories include the extreme heat experienced in the exposed upper sections during summer and the fearsome reputation the gorge once had among locals navigating it in poor conditions. The water channel system running through the lower gorge is a remnant of Tenerife's agricultural past, when water from the ravine's spring-fed sources was channelled to terraced farms growing crops for the island's population. These irrigation channels, known locally as acequias, are among the oldest engineered structures in the Canarian landscape.

As a Special Nature Reserve, the gorge protects native plant species adapted to the ravine's unusual microclimate, including several endemic Canarian plants found in these sheltered, humid conditions. The permanent water source is ecologically significant in the island's otherwise arid south, supporting a higher density of native vegetation than the surrounding scrubland. Visitors are expected to stay on the marked trail at all times and not disturb the vegetation or rock formations.

For context on how this fits into south Tenerife's broader landscape, Costa Adeje is the nearest base for this trail and has far more to offer than its resort reputation suggests.

Practical Checklist Before You Go

• Book your slot online at barrancodelinfierno.es — bring your booking confirmation (printout or phone screen)
• Wear closed-toe shoes with grip; trainers are acceptable but trail shoes are better
• Bring at least 1.5 litres of water per person; there is no water available on the trail itself
• Apply sunscreen before entering — exposed sections of the return route can be harsh in summer
• Bring a small snack; the hike takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours and the return leg is uphill
• Children under 5 are not admitted; all children must be able to hike independently
• Pets are not permitted on the trail under any circumstances
• Photography: bring a tripod for waterfall shots and expect low light levels in the gorge

Who Should Skip This Trail

The Barranco del Infierno trail is not suitable for everyone. Visitors with significant mobility issues or knee problems should reconsider: the path involves uneven, rocky terrain for the full 6.5-kilometre distance, and the return journey involves a sustained uphill section that many visitors find harder than expected. The medium-to-high difficulty rating is accurate.

Families with very young children will need to plan carefully. The minimum age is five, and even a fit five-year-old may find the full distance demanding. Consider your child's realistic hiking ability before booking, as the entrance fee is non-refundable if they cannot complete the trail.

If you are expecting dramatic scenery in the style of Tenerife's northern coast or the towering scale of the Los Gigantes cliffs, adjust expectations slightly. The gorge scenery is compelling but intimate rather than sweeping. The appeal is in the textures, the sound of water, the smell of the ravine vegetation, and the payoff of reaching the waterfall, not in panoramic views.

Travellers looking for more dramatic coastal scenery without the hike might prefer the Los Gigantes cliffs, which can be appreciated by boat and require no special fitness level.