Barranco del Infierno: The Ultimate Hiking Guide

Barranco del Infierno is a magnificent gorge in Adeje, Tenerife. By doing the Barranco del Infierno hike, you’ll get to experience this mighty natural attraction in all its glory. But, you’ll need to buy a ticket online in advance in order to do this hike. That’s because the gorge trail is managed by the Reserva Natural Especial Barranco del Infierno (Barranco del Infierno Special Nature Reserve). In this guide, we’ll tell you everything else you need to know about hiking the Barranco del Infierno trail.

Barranco del Infierno, Tenerife: Overview

Tenerife is home to many awesome gorges and Barranco del Infierno is no exception. Translating in English to Hell’s Gorge or Hell’s Ravine, Barranco del Infierno is a must on your Tenerife hiking holiday. Personally speaking, Beck and I really enjoyed this hike. Sure, we weren’t huge fans of the trail being ticketed (and relatively expensive). But, there’s no doubt that the beauty of the gorge more than makes up for that. Additionally, the staff of the Barranco del Infierno Special Nature Reserve help to protect the flora and fauna of the area through management and conservation. And, that’s only a good thing too. So, pay up!

Before we describe the fantastic Barranco del Infierno trail in Adeje, Tenerife, we’ll show you the hiking specs and some maps.

Read our guides about Roques de Garcia, Montana Roja and Roque de Taborno

Barranco del Infierno Map and Stats

• Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 6.4km
• Time: 2–3 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 340m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Barranco del Infierno Ticket Office
• Map: Wikiloc

Barranco del Infierno Walk Length

How long is the Barranco del Infierno walk? It’s 6.4km, taking most people 2–3 hours to complete.

Trail Highlights of Barranco del Infierno

As you can see from the maps pictured above, there are 12 points of interest along the Barranco del Infierno trail in Adeje, Tenerife. These include the following places along the trail.

• Ticket Office
• Adeje Viewpoint
• Witches’ Dancefloor
• The Curve
• Great Viewpoint
• Long Irrigation Canal
• Marques Cave Viewpoint
• Safety Reminder
• Riverbed
• The Collector
• The Old Chestnut Tree
• Waterfall

In this guide, we’re not going to thoroughly detail every single point of interest. We’ll simply provide a brief overview of the trail, leaving you to discover the beauty of the trail for yourself when you visit.

Following the Path Into the Ravine

Following registration, safety gear retrieval and a safety demonstration, you’ll depart the ticket office area, following a trail into the gorge. You’ll follow a narrow and well-maintained trail with the gorge floor to your right. The trail gently ascends as you reach the first highlight of the Barranco del Infierno trail – the Adeje Viewpoint. This lookout provides fantastic views of the town of Adeje as well as a sweeping view of the coastline.

Continuing along the trail, you’ll pass by various natural attractions and wonders listed above. Basically, around every corner, there’s a new perspective of the gorge to enjoy. The luscious surroundings of the gorge contrast considerably with the plainer volcanic fields of the popular Teide National Park – where Beck and I had explored the previous day.

Eventually, the trail leads you onto the gorge floor where the gorge narrows. Following along the riverbed, the trail winds around bends in the gorge. As you approach the Barranco del Infierno waterfall, your anticipation will build. You’ll pass small quaint streams and denser forest areas. Soon enough, you’ll reach the pinnacle of the walk – the waterfall!

Admittedly, given the usual lack of rain in Tenerife, don’t expect the waterfall to be powerfully gushing. Even when we visited in February, the waterfall was rather tame. But, even so, Beck and I thoroughly enjoyed the gorge walk, which was the highlight for us, rather than the waterfall. Anyway, after enjoying the waterfall, you’ll simply retrace your steps to complete the trail.

Things to Know Before Visiting Barranco del Infierno

Other than knowing opening times and buying tickets, there are a few other useful things to know before visiting Barranco del Infierno in Adeje, Tenerife.

• Safety equipment: you’ll have to wear a helmet during the gorge walk. Once trails become managed in some way, safety gear often needs to be provided, in reality, to cover the group or organisation’s backsides in case anyone gets injured. On that note, you’ll need to sign an online disclaimer before doing the walk!
• Safety rules: before doing the walk, a member of staff at the ticket office will run through some safety rules. The main point is that the final section (from the safety reminder onwards – no. 8 on the map) is considered a more dangerous part of the walk. That’s because there’s a higher risk of rock fall there. Basically, they ask you not to dawdle or stop and rest during this final section. They’ll also ask that you only spend five minutes at the waterfall.
• Trail terrain: the trail is mostly flat and well-maintained. During the final section mentioned above, the trail becomes more uneven, rockier and steeper in parts.
• Popularity: one of the benefits of the gorge trail being managed, is that visitor numbers are limited. Specifically, visitor numbers are limited to 20 people every half hour from 8:30–11:30am. This means the trail never gets too overcrowded.

Buying Barranco del Infierno Tickets

The most important thing to know about doing this hike is that you’ll need to buy a ticket. Yes, a Barranco del Infierno booking is necessary and can be easily made online on the official website. Unlike permits for Mount Teide, it’s usually possible to book Barranco del Infierno tickets just days in advance.

Barranco del Infierno Times and Prices

According to the official website, the opening hours are between 8:30am to 2:30pm, daily. In terms of the timing of bookings, it’s only possible to book tickets between 8:30–11:30am, in 15 minute intervals. This ensures crowd control, which keeps the trail relatively quiet. Personally, we booked the earliest time slot of 8:30am. This meant we avoided the heat of midday and also were the first people to arrive at the waterfall. The viewing area facing opposite the waterfall is quite small. So, getting there early means beating the crowds.

In 2023, prices for non-resident adults is £11 each. Prices are much cheaper for locals and children. Please check the website for the most up-to-date prices.

FYI – because Barranco del Infierno closes at 2:30pm daily, the staff have enforced a rule, whereby, visitors are only able to visit the waterfall up until 12:30pm. At this time, all visitors must return to the ticket office.

How to Get to Barranco del Infierno

Your best options for getting to Adeje to complete the Barranco del Infierno trail is by car or bus.

Car

The simplest and quickest way to get to Adeje is to drive there yourself. If you’re visiting from abroad, you’ll obviously need to hire a car. Beck and I conveniently picked up and dropped off our car hire from South Tenerife Airport.

Parking: there’s free street-side parking on the road that leads to the Barranco del Infierno ticket office. But, spots there are limited. Otherwise, you’ll need to park in the large car park in Adeje and walk approx. 500 metres uphill to the ticket office.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Bus

It’s possible to reach Adeje by using public transport. A bus will drop you off in the Adeje town centre. From there, it’s an approx. 1km walk to the ticket office. We recommend using Google Maps to help plan your journey.

Where to Stay Near Barranco del Infierno: Adeje Accommodation

If you’re looking for accommodation near Barranco del Infierno, there are two excellent options located in Adeje, Tenerife. In fact, both of these accommodation options are located just 50-100 metres away from the ticket office. These include Apartamentos Barranco del Infierno and Las 7 Islas, Barranco de Adeje.

Apartamentos Barranco del Infierno

Apartamentos Barranco del Infierno is the best Adeje-based accommodation option near the gorge. Each apartment has a large living-dining area, featuring a well-equipped kitchen. The apartments are beautifully styled, modern and have a lovely private bathroom. Indeed, if you’re looking to avoid the tourist areas and stay near Barranco del Infierno, then this is the place to stay!

Las 7 Islas, Barranco de Adeje

Located even closer to the gorge is Las 7 Islas, Barranco de Adeje. This is actually where Beck and I stayed for three nights. This guesthouse features rooms with private bathrooms and a communal kitchen area. You’ll also find a communal terrace with outstanding views of the gorge and coastline. If you’re looking for the best value-for-money budget accommodation option near Barranco del Infierno, then stay at Las 7 Islas, Barranco de Adeje.

More About Adeje in Tenerife

Located in southwest Tenerife, Adeje is the fifth most populated municipality on the island. Adeje is well known for Barranco del Infierno; but, tourists are usually more familiar with Costa Adeje, which encompasses the coastal area of Adeje. This is where you’ll find coastal resorts, hotels, bars and restaurants. Costa Adeje is also well known for its popular tourist attractions such as Siam Park and Aqualand.

Tourists are much more likely to stay in Costa Adeje than in the inland town of Adeje itself. Certainly, to escape the tourists and crowds, we recommend staying in the quieter town of Adeje.

Other Activities and Tours in Tenerife

Other than visiting Barranco del Infierno in Adeje, there are many other awesome places to visit in Tenerife. In particular, Teide National Park has many amazing natural attractions. If you don’t have your own set of wheels, we recommend doing an organised tour. We’ve heard awesome things about GetYourGuide’s Tenerife: Teide National Park Full-Day Scenic Tour.

Of course, Tenerife is most known for its amazing coastline rather than its gorges and national parks. Many of the best and most popular activities in Tenerife involve boat tours. In particular, whale and dolphin-watching tours are really fun and adventurous ways to explore the coast. GetYourGuide’s Tenerife: Dolphin and Whale Eco-Cruise with Snack & Drinks is an amazing eco-friendly catamaran tour. In fact, it’s one of the most popular tours in Tenerife. This great value-for-money three or five-hour tour includes seeing (if you’re lucky) gorgeous whales and dolphins whilst offering swimming and snorkelling opportunities.

Gear Essentials

These are some of our gear essentials for doing this spectacular gorge walk.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

Bonus Tips

• Book the earliest timeslot: you’ll enjoy a quieter trail if you’re one of the first walkers to start.
• Visit Restaraunte Otelo: this restaurant is located just next to the ticket office. Otelo is famous for its delicious chicken. Indeed, if you’re hungry or thirsty after the walk, head to Otelo!
• Other great gorge walks in Tenerife: the Barranco de Masca hike is another famous gorge walk in Tenerife, that’s also ticketed. Although, it often seems closed due to landslides. Hopefully, it’s open and there’s ticket availability when you visit.

Feel free to watch our Tenerife Hiking YouTube production.