Barranco del Infierno — "Hell's Ravine" — is one of Tenerife's most rewarding walks, and one of its best-kept. A protected gorge slicing into the mountains behind Costa Adeje, it winds through steep, sun-baked cliffs to a rare prize on this dry southern coast: a genuine year-round waterfall spilling into a green, shaded pool. Because the ravine is a fragile nature reserve, visitor numbers are strictly capped and you must book your place in advance — but plan ahead and it's an unforgettable morning out on Tenerife.
You cannot just turn up — book ahead. Access is limited to a set number of visitors each day, released in timed slots, and entry is refused without a reservation. Book your ticket in advance through the official site, barrancodelinfierno.es, especially in peak season and school holidays when slots go quickly. A helmet is compulsory and is handed out at the start; proper closed walking shoes are required, and sandals are not allowed.
A ravine full of life
For all its fearsome name, the barranco is anything but hellish. The gorge shelters a surprising oasis of greenery — reeds, ferns, willows and endemic plants thrive in the damp microclimate created by the trickling stream, and the sheer walls are home to nesting birds and small reptiles. It's also one of the richest archaeological areas on the island: the Guanches, Tenerife's original inhabitants, lived and left rock carvings here long before the Spanish arrived. All of this is why the ravine is a Special Nature Reserve, and why access is so carefully controlled.
Photo: Ronny Siegel · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · scaled
The walk
The route runs from the old town of Adeje up into the gorge and back — an out-and-back of roughly six to seven kilometres in total that most reasonably fit walkers complete in around three hours including time at the waterfall. It's mostly gentle underfoot, following the streambed on a well-marked path with a modest climb, but there are uneven, rocky sections and a few narrow stretches where the helmet earns its keep against the odd loose stone from above. Children who are steady walkers usually manage it well, though there are minimum-age rules for the very young — check when you book.
The reward at the far end is the waterfall — a tall, slender cascade dropping into a cool, mossy amphitheatre of rock. It's a magical spot, all the more so for being such a contrast to the arid resorts down the hill. You can't swim in the pool and you can't climb beyond the marked end point, but it's the perfect place to pause, snack and soak up the quiet before turning back.
Go early and come prepared. Morning slots are cooler and quieter, and the low sun in the gorge is beautiful. Bring plenty of water, sun protection, a hat and a snack — there's nothing to buy inside the reserve — and wear grippy trainers or hiking shoes. There's a small visitor point at the entrance in Adeje where you collect your helmet and check in.
Opening times and prices
The reserve runs on seasonal opening hours, generally closing a little earlier in the summer months and staying open longer in winter, with the last entry well before closing time so everyone is out before dark. Tickets are inexpensive — as of 2026 adult entry is typically in the region of €15, with a reduced rate for local residents — but the number available each day is deliberately small. Because prices, hours and daily limits can change, always confirm the current details and reserve your slot on the official Barranco del Infierno website.
Check the weather before you go. The reserve closes during and after heavy rain because of the risk of rockfall and flash flooding in the gorge — a real hazard in a barranco. If there's a storm forecast, your visit may be cancelled, so keep an eye on conditions and the official site's notices.
Getting there
The trailhead is at the top of the old town of Adeje, a short drive up from the resort strip of Costa Adeje. There's limited parking near the entrance, so arrive in good time for your slot; a hire car is the easiest option, though local buses and taxis also serve Adeje town. Give yourself a buffer, as latecomers can lose their reserved place.
Fitting it into your holiday
Barranco del Infierno makes an ideal half-day escape from the beaches and buzz of the southwest coast — a reminder that Tenerife is far more than sun-loungers. Pair it with a lazy afternoon back in Costa Adeje, or line it up alongside the island's other great walks: our guide to hiking in the Canary Islands is full of routes, from the lunar heights of Teide to the misty forests of Anaga. Keen walkers often combine this gentle ravine with something more ambitious elsewhere on the island.
Book early, respect the rules that keep the gorge pristine, and Barranco del Infierno rewards you with the unlikeliest of sights in southern Tenerife: a waterfall, a hidden oasis and a slice of the island as the Guanches would have known it. Browse more things to do across the Canaries to round out your trip.
A waterfall in the desert, a green gorge behind the sunbeds — "Hell's Ravine" turns out to be one of Tenerife's small paradises, if you remember to book.