Barranco del Infierno in Tenerife: how to visit, tickets and the hike with kids

We've lived in Tenerife for years and had still never visited the Barranco del Infierno. It was one of those places we'd assumed wasn't worth the trip. How wrong we were.

The walk really surprised us. The girls spent the whole way hunting for frogs, lizards and insects while the landscape changed little by little around us. The trail starts in a dry, rocky ravine and turns greener and greener until you reach the waterfall at the end.

If you're planning a trip to Tenerife, or even if you live on the island and haven't discovered this corner yet, I'd put it on your list. Here's everything you need to know to do the Barranco del Infierno hike.

At a glance

What is the Barranco del Infierno?

The name means Hell's Gorge, and although it sounds a bit terrifying, the Barranco del Infierno is one of the most spectacular places in Tenerife. Tradition has it that the first inhabitants who came across this deep gorge believed it led to the underworld.

It's in the municipality of Adeje, in the south of the island, and forms part of a Special Nature Reserve. It is one of the most valuable protected areas in the Canaries, both for its stunning scenery and for the sheer number of endemic plants and animals it shelters: the reserve has 456 species catalogued.

The gorge began to form millions of years ago through volcanic activity, and over time the water carved out this impressive ravine.

Beyond its natural value, it's also a place steeped in history. The Guanches, the original inhabitants of Tenerife, used many of the caves you'll see along the way as homes, shelters and even burial sites. Walking through the gorge means discovering not just a unique landscape but a piece of the island's past too.

And waiting at the end of the trail is one of its biggest draws: a waterfall almost 200 metres high, considered the tallest in Tenerife. On an island where permanent waterfalls are very rare, reaching it makes every step of the walk worth it.

The hike

The dry stretch

The trail starts on a natural balcony with magnificent views over the south of the island and the coast. This first stretch is dry, rocky and open, with tabaibas and cardones (the spurges and cactus-like plants you see all over the south) and wild grasses. It's exposed to the sun, so go early or put sunscreen on. But don't be put off: the route isn't like this the whole way.

Along the way you pass old beehives and a disused water mill, reminders of the days when shepherds used this path every day. Look up at the walls and you'll spot the caves where the Guanches lived.

The green zone

This is where the magic starts. As you follow the old riverbed deeper in, the landscape changes completely: the walls close in, Canary willows and dragon trees appear, and the vegetation turns thick and green, almost jungle-like. The air gets noticeably cooler, which is very welcome because the south of the island is nearly always hot.

There are little streams to cross by stepping on stones, with the water running between them. Kids love this part. My girls were on the lookout the whole time, convinced (rightly) that there was a frog under every stone. Millipedes, lizards, birds of prey circling overhead… you see a huge amount of wildlife.

You also pass the Bailadero de las Brujas (the witches' dancing ground), a flat rocky area whose name adds a little touch of mystery to the walk.

The waterfall

The gorge narrows right down and the walls tower above you. And at the end of the path, at last, the long-awaited waterfall tumbling down almost 200 metres of rock. It flows all year round, but it's at its strongest in winter and spring; in summer it dwindles to a trickle, though it's still a beautiful sight.

You can't swim or get too close, but you can sit, listen to the water and feel very proud of having made it. Then you go back the same way: the return is quicker (it's almost all downhill) and the views on the open stretch look completely different with the sun in a new position.

Tickets, booking and opening times

Tickets are booked exclusively through the official website. My advice is not to leave it to the last minute, especially if you're travelling in summer, at Easter, over bank holidays or during the school holidays, as slots often sell out several days ahead.

Prices

Canary Islands residents: bring your ID card or a valid certificate of residence, they check it at the entrance. The resident discount is always appreciated.

The helmet is included in the ticket. And if you haven't got suitable footwear, you can hire trainers for €4; they also hire out trekking poles for another €4.

What about the guided tour?

As well as the standard ticket, the reserve offers a guided tour of around 3 hours with someone who explains the route as you go: the geology, the wildlife, the legends of the gorge. It includes the guide, the helmet, the permits and access to the trail. It leaves at 10:00 on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and costs €39 per adult and €19.50 per child aged 5 to 12, compared with €15 for the standard ticket.

There's no resident rate here: the online booking shows just those two prices, the same for everyone. We did it on our own, so I can't tell you first-hand what the guided tour is like.

Opening times

The park opens at 8:00 and the first slot onto the trail is 8:15. From then on they run every half hour and you pick yours when you book.

Bear in mind that the trail closes in bad weather (rain or strong wind) because of the risk of rockfalls.

Changes, cancellations and bad weather

Three things worth knowing before you book:

• If they close because of bad weather, they email you at 08:30 on the day of your visit. You can reply to that same email to change the date or ask for a refund, which goes back to the card you paid with.
• To change or cancel, give at least 72 hours' notice. With less notice they don't accept changes or refunds, except for illness with an official medical certificate (that's how they put it in their FAQs).
• You don't need to print your ticket. The confirmation on your phone plus your ID is enough. And there's no left-luggage, so don't count on leaving bags there.

Book on the official website

Trail rules

It's a Special Nature Reserve and the rules are taken seriously. Beyond the helmet and closed shoes, these are the ones that are easiest to overlook:

• Stay on the main path.
• No swimming in the streambed or the waterfall.
• No glass bottles or glasses.
• No smoking and no fires.
• No speakers: amplified sound isn't allowed, and honestly, it's a relief.
• Don't feed the animals, and don't collect plants, animals or stones. Look for frogs under the stones all you like; taking them home, no.
• No camping, and no climbing, abseiling or canyoning either.
• Keep your ticket for the whole visit, you may be asked for it.

How to get there

By car

From the Costa Adeje / Playa de las Américas area it's about 15 to 20 minutes. Take the TF-1 motorway towards Adeje, exit 79 (coming from the east) or 81 (from the west), and head up to the town of Adeje (the old town up the hill, not the coastal resort). Put “Barranco del Infierno, Adeje” into your sat nav and it takes you straight to the entrance, at the end of Calle Los Molinos, 46. If you don't have a car, hiring one is the easiest option. Here's the exact location on Google Maps.

Parking: there's public parking a few minutes from the entrance, around the Casa Fuerte area, and their website has a map with the car parks marked. It isn't free: we paid about €4.

By bus

From the resort area, take bus 417, 447, 460 or 473 towards Adeje (about 15 minutes) and get off at the stop in the centre of Adeje. From there the trail entrance is well signposted. Buses are called guaguas here, by the way, so don't be thrown by the word on the timetables.

Tips for visiting the Barranco del Infierno with kids

• Go early. I'd recommend booking one of the first slots (8:15 or 8:30). That's what we did and we were so glad: there was hardly anyone about and it was cooler than on the way back. In summer the reserve itself recommends entering before 10:00, especially with children or older people, and warns that in very hot weather they may close access earlier than usual.
• The helmet is compulsory for the whole route.
• Closed shoes. No flip-flops or sandals, and careful, hiking sandals don't count either. Trainers or boots, because the path is rocky and slippery.
• Take more water than you think you'll need. There are no fountains or shops on the route. They recommend 1 to 1.5 litres per person, plus a snack.
• Under-5s can't go in. No exceptions, and baby carriers aren't allowed either. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.
• Sun protection on the first stretch. It's completely exposed: sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. They give you a buff for the sun along with the helmet.
• The waterfall is best after rain. In winter and spring it flows much harder; in high summer it can be down to a trickle.
• No animals allowed. It's a measure to protect the reserve's flora and fauna.

What the girls loved most

If you do the walk with kids, be prepared for them to enjoy very different things from you. While we were admiring the scenery, they were totally absorbed in their own adventure.

• Hunting for frogs in the little streams and under the stones.
• Spotting insects and animals along the way: millipedes, beetles, lizards…
• Trying to spot kestrels, buzzards and ravens circling the walls of the gorge.
• Crossing the streams hopping from stone to stone.
• And above all, spending a few hours exploring nature as a family, no screens, no rush, enjoying something different together.

Is the Barranco del Infierno worth visiting?

Without a doubt. We live in Tenerife and had written this place off without ever visiting… and now I can't understand why. The Barranco del Infierno is genuinely special: a protected botanical paradise, a walk through history, a landscape that transforms as you go and a waterfall as the prize at the end.

It's not a plan for the littlest ones (under-5s can't go in, and below about 8 the 6.5 km can feel long), but for school-age kids with energy and curiosity it's one of the best family walks you can do in the Canaries.

Ideal for: families with children aged 5 and up who love nature, wildlife and a bit of adventure.

Less ideal for: anyone with reduced mobility, or if you're after a short, flat stroll, because the ground is rocky and uneven. And remember that under-5s can't go in, not even in a baby carrier.

More things to do in Tenerife

As we live in Tenerife, we're always discovering new corners and looking for things to do as a family. On the blog you'll find plenty more guides with walks, beaches, villages, viewpoints, restaurants and activities for enjoying the island, whether you're here on holiday or already live here.

If you're planning your trip, I'd recommend having a look, because we only share places we've visited ourselves and genuinely think are worth it, like Punta de Teno, or browse my list of 10 things you can't miss in Tenerife. And if you're going up Teide, don't miss the things to know before you go up.