As soon as you leave Santiago del Teide and drive in the direction of Masca and the Teno mountains, you are amidst the most dramatic landscapes of Tenerife. Masca is known as the “Machu Picchu of Tenerife“, and it is indeed a stunning mountain village with a breathtaking backdrop of green mountains and ravines. But if you continue driving on the mountain roads, the Teno mountains have other surprises as well, from splendid viewpoints and unexpected waterfalls to mountains shaped like a giant layered cake.
While Masca is often seen as the star of the region, the broader Teno Rural Park is a world of its own and a visit to it shouldn’t be limited to ‘just Masca’. In this post, we’ll provide you with all the information you need for exploring Masca and the Teno mountains, from the best photo spots to the logistics of getting there without any stress.
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How to get to Masca and the Teno mountains
The mountain road TF-436
The TF-436 is the road that takes you to Masca. But it isn’t just a road: The TF-436 is considered one of the most scenic drives in Europe, zigzagging through the heart of the Teno mountains.
To truly experience the Teno mountains, we suggest driving the entire length of the TF-436. There are two main ways to approach this:
- From Santiago del Teide: This is the most popular starting point. As soon as you start the mountain pass, you’re hit with an immediate, jaw-dropping views of the Masca valley.
- From Buenavista del Norte: Starting from the north offers a slightly different perspective, climbing up from the coast into the heart of the mountains.
By driving the full route between these two points, you get to see the landscape shift from volcanic ridges on the one side to green valleys on the other side.
Read more: Discover more volcanic landscapes in our guide for Teide National Park
Your own car, bus, or tour?
By car
Masca is incredibly popular. And that’s why the driving and parking situation can be a little bit stressful. The TF-436 is a mountain road, meaning the road is narrow, with many hairpin turns. Nevertheless, we highly recommend driving your own car if you have previous experience of driving mountain roads.
We recommend to rent a car in Tenerife through discovercars.com with free cancellation and insurance included. Discovercars is a world leader in comparing prices and guarantees the best rates.
Check prices and book a rental car for Tenerife.
Our advice if you want to drive yourself: Go early or late (before 9:30 AM or after 4:00 PM). We went twice to Masca, and always arrived before 9 AM. Both the times, we easily found a parking spot and there wasn’t much traffic on the road. We drove the busiest section of the road (From Santiago del Teide to Masca) in the morning and continued to Buenavista del Norte after our visit to Masca.
Be aware that in Masca village, parking is strictly regulated with a 2-hour limit between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Masca is a small village, so a 2-hour limit is fine for a visit. But if you want to take a long hike, parking at Masca isn’t an option.
By bus
Bus line 355 drives from Santiago del Teide to Buenavista del Norte and back, making a stop in Masca.
However, while we strongly believe in sustainable transport, we don’t think the bus isn’t the best option here. The reason for that? The viewpoints! There are so many incredible “miradors” along the way where you’ll want to pull over and snap a photo. If you are on a public bus, this isn’t an option.
Join a tour
If you don’t feel confident to drive the narrow bends of the TF-436, a guided tour is a perfect alternative. Unlike the public bus, small-group tours know exactly where the best stops are and will give you the freedom to enjoy the views to the fullest.
Join this 
Best time to visit Masca and the Teno mountains
In terms of seasons
One of the best things about Masca and the Teno mountains is that they are a year-round destination. However, the experience changes depending on when you show up.
We visited this region at the beginning of March, and it was nearly perfect. The temperatures were mild (around 18°C), the sun was shining, and the landscape was green after the winter rains.
But keep in mind that this is a high-altitude mountain village. The weather here is much more unpredictable than at the beach. It’s always a good idea to:
- Check the live webcams: Here you have a live view of the Masca Valley so you can see if it’s clear or completely buried in clouds before you head there.
- Check the weather forecast: We had some struggles to find a reliable weather forecast for Tenerife, but the website of Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia turns out to be the best.
- Bring layers: even on a sunny day it can get chilly in the mountains.
In terms of time of the day
Timing is everything if you want to enjoy this region without stress.
Masca village: As we mentioned earlier, early morning (before 9:30 AM) or late afternoon (after 4:00 PM) is the sweet spot. During the middle of the day, the narrow streets and small cafes are flooded with tour groups, and the village loses a bit of its magic.
The Teno mountains: Unlike the village, timing for the rest of the Teno Mountains isn’t quite as crucial. Whether you’re driving the TF-436 at noon or sunset, the vastness of the mountains means you’ll always find a quiet spot to pull over and admire the view.
Where to stay when visiting Masca and the Teno mountains
If you’re looking to stay in the heart of the Masca valley, we might need to disappoint you as options are incredibly limited. There are a few rural cottages nearby like Casa Rural El Horno Masca and Live Masca Casa Tarucho, but they book up months in advance
Read more: Our post about Anaga Rural Park in Tenerife
Our choice: stay in Puerto de la Cruz
For most travelers, we think the best base for exploring the North of Tenerife (including the Teno Mountains and Masca) is Puerto de la Cruz. This town is perfectly positioned to reach both the Teno Mountains to the west and the Anaga Rural Park to the east. The city itself has beautiful colonial streets, a stunning botanical garden, nice accommodations and all the amenities of a city.
Precise Resort Tenerife
Precise Resort Tenerife is a great choice if you want a bit of luxury and space. It is located just on the edge of Puerto de la Cruz, offering a quieter atmosphere with stunning cliffside views.The hotel has outdoor pools and a large sub-tropical garden. The rooms are spacious and bright that often have balconies overlooking the Atlantic.
Silken Saaj Maar
Silken Saaj Maar provides a chic, modern base right in the center of the northern action. Keep in mind this is adult-only. The hotel has an avant-garde architecture and stylish, modern rooms. There is a rooftop terrace with a pool and bar, where you have the best sunset views in the city.
The best things to do in the Teno mountains
The TF-436
This mountain road is famous for its narrow passes and sharp hairpin turns, but at the same time it is a visual feast. Make sure to stop at these viewpoints:
- Mirador de Cherfe: This was our first major stop when we started in Santiago del Teide. The view here is hard to beat. Here you can see the Masca valley stretching towards the Atlantic ocean
- The “Serpentina” of Masca: As you begin the descent towards Masca, the road turns into a “serpentina” (snake): a series of snake-like curves. There is a small shoulder area where you can pull over to look down at the road you’ve just traveled.
- Mirador de la Cruz de Hilda: This viewpoint offers a view over Masca. There is a small café with a beautiful terrace where you can take in the views.
- Mirador Altos de Baracán: From this ridge-top balcony, you get a 360-degree perspective of the Teno mountains. On clear days, you can see all the way to the neighboring islands of La Gomera and La Palma.
Many of these viewpoints are small and have only limited places to park your car. If a spot is full, don’t worry, there is usually another parking spot just a few hundred meters down the road.
The mountain village Masca
Once you’ve successfully navigated the hairpin bends and secured a parking spot, it’s time to step into Masca. Masca is small and doesn’t has a long list of “attractions”. Here, it is all about wandering through its cobbled lanes and soaking in the views.
Main square
The heart of the village is the main square (Plaza de Masca), where a massive, ancient laurel tree provides shade for a tiny 18th-century church, the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción. It’s a perfect first stop before heading further into Masca. Here, you’ll get a first glimpse of the Roque de Catana, the huge rock formation that towers the village.
Different photospots
There are endless photo opportunities just by walking down Masca. So make sure to take your time to snap some stunning holiday pictures.
The visitor center
Located very close to the main square, the Masca Visitor Center is a must-visit. It’s housed in a beautifully restored building and offers great insights into the village’s history and geology.
This is also where you’ll find clean, free toilets
Right by the center, there is a small garden area that offers an excellent, unobstructed view down into the depths of the Masca Gorge.
Have some food and drinks in a stunning setting
There are several charming cafés and restaurants with terraces that seem to hang over the cliffs. Sitting here with a “Barraquito” (Tenerife’s famous layered coffee) or somethings else to drink and eat is an essential Masca experience.
However, many of these local spots have quite “strange” or limited opening hours. Some may close unexpectedly early if it’s a quiet day or they might only serve food during a very specific lunch window. If you have your heart set on a specific terrace, it’s best to check upfront or have a backup snack with you just in case!
Hike the Masca Gorge trail
If you have more time than we did and if you love a hike, consider hiking the Masca Gorge (Barranco de Masca) trail.
It is widely considered one of the most stunning hikes in the Canary Islands. The path leads you from the heart of the village down through a dramatic, narrow canyon with towering walls. But keep in mind that some upfront planning is necessary for this hike:
- Permits are mandatory: You cannot just start walking. You must book a permit in advance via the official website (Camino del barranco de Masca).
- Book your boat: The hike is a “descent only,” hike which takes about 3 hours. You hike down to a hidden beach at the bottom, where a pre-booked boat picks you up to take you to Los Gigantes. Make sure to book this ticket upfront or you won’t get access to the trail.
- Footwear check: They are serious about safety. If you arrive in sneakers or sandals, you will be denied access. You must wear proper, high-grip hiking boots.
- Transport: Hikers are required to use the public shuttle from Santiago del Teide to get to Masca.
Looking for another exclusive hike in Tenerife? See our post about the Pijaral forest
Hiking in the Teno mountains
If you want to experience the greener (and more quiet) side of the Teno mountains, you have to leave Masca behind and head further into the park, in the direction of Buenavista del Norte.
Before you hit the trails, we highly recommend stopping at the Centro de Visitantes de Los Pedregales in the El Palmar valley. This information center is housed in a beautiful traditional Canarian mansion.
The staff here was incredibly helpful and they provide us with an up-to-date map and advice on which trails were best for the time we had.
Because we wanted to see the famous laurel forests of Teno without committing to an all-day expedition, we decided to do a short hike to Monte del Agua. Monte del Agua is essentially Anaga’s “quiet cousin.” It is a spectacular example of an evergreen forest that thrives on the moisture brought in by the winds. It gave us a perfect taste of the Teno mountains and we wished we had more time to explore more trails.
Secret spots of the Teno mountains
The Teno Mountains also hide several “secret” spots that most tourists forget to visit. If you have your own car, these are some hidden gems that we highly recommend
The moonlike landscape at Teno Alto
Near the remote village Teno Alto, you’ll find a surreal area of pale, eroded rock formations. It’s a relic of the island’s oldest volcanic origins. Millions of years ago, this area was the sea floor. Now it sits at nearly 800 meters above sea level, shaped by wind and time into strange shapes.
The waterfall near Masca
When driving from Masca to Mirador de la Cruz de Hilda, you’ll see this waterfall coming down from the mountains. The first time, we were so impressed by the views we didn’t even see this waterfall. Luckily, the second time, we saw the waterfall cascading down from the mountains.
Montaña Zahorra: The “Cake” Mountain
This is one of the most unique geological sights in Tenerife. It looks like a “pie with missing slices”. Apparently the soil of this mountain is very fertile and the mountain got its striking appearance due to intensive quarrying for agriculture. This excavation left near-vertical, exposed reddish rock visible, making it look like a piece of cake that is missing.
To conclude…
The Teno Mountains are a mandatory stop if you want to see the “real” Tenerife. It is a region where the island’s volcanic history and traditional rural life are still very visible. Masca village is the visual highlight, but for us the real reward was the journey along the TF-436 and the surprises we encoutered along the way. So make sure to visit Masca, but also make sure you don’t limit yourself to only the mountain villge, as the Teno mountains have much more to offer.
If you have questions or recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Happy travels
M&M
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