Masca

A dream destination for every landscape photographer, Masca is magnificent at

every angle. No poetic words can do justice to the beauty of this quaint little
village, hidden in the folds of the Teno Mountains. The setting of the village is
surreal, and its houses perch perilously on the narrow ridges of dramatic rock
formations.

Dubbed as the Machu Picchu of the Canaries, the village center is situated along
a ridge underneath a bullet shaped pinnacle. Steep ravine walls rising on either
side of the village add to its beauty. Beyond the pinnacle, framed in the V of
the ravine, is the view of the Atlantic Ocean and the island of La Gomera.
Imagine having this scene during the sunset.

Until recently, this picturesque town was only accessible on foot or by donkey.
At present, it is now connected to the rest of the island by road. Even so, this
charming village is still difficult to reach, but its well worth the journey.
The trip takes visitors through deep ravines interlaced with lush green
vegetation. Winding roads lead to heart-pounding hairpin bends. Once visitors
reach Masca, the natural beauty of this stunning location is overwhelming.

There are colorful stories about the small community, suggesting that it was once
a pirate village. However, many villagers attest to the impressions fallacy.
Nevertheless, the remoteness of the village, preserved even after its rise to
Masca is located at one of the oldest geological sites in Tenerife. The rich and
endemic flora, astounding ravine and rock formations were the results of many
volcanic emissions in the past.

In 2007, forest fires raged across Tenerife, burning homes and destroying vast
areas of pine forests. The village of Masca was one of the affected areas. It was
the dark days; villagers were forced to camp out, and many homes were left
charred. Fortunately, there were only very few recorded injuries.

Months passed, and the village of Masca and the rest of the island recovered from
the devastating incident. The community redeveloped the village infrastructure and
continued to restore its old town charm.

At present, the inhabitants of the village have altered their way of lives to
cater to the regular stream of tourists.
With entertaining things to do and places to see in Masca, its no wonder why this
village is the second most visited tourist destination in Tenerife. To walk around
the village is to get an in-depth understanding of its rich history and culture,
even without a guide. The few establishments reveal a lot about Mascas heritage
and architecture. Moreover, the surrounding lush forest tells stories of how the
Guanches may have lived their lives all but a world away from civilization.
Masca Church
Standing out against the greenery of the mountain backdrop is the white-washed
Masca Church. The church, small as the village is small, can only hold up to
eighty people. The church is connected to the village square, which also doubles
as a viewpoint to the ravine beneath.
Masca Musuem

Perched on the mountaintop town is the small and unimposing Masca Museum. It
houses primal tools, unique artifacts and living conditions of the isolated
Guanche settlement.
 Masca Ravine Walk
There is no better way to explore the ravines of Masca than by wandering on foot.
The route starts from the village through the Masca Barranco down to the beautiful
Masca Beach. Its a marvelous path, descending beside trickling streams and jade
pools, cane groves and swaying palm trees. During the walk, visitors cant help
but admire the rich flora and fauna in the area as well as the ancient ravine
walls looming ominously above.

Visitors who are physically fit would not find it difficult to hike down the
gorge, but there are some parts which can be a little tricky. In general, the
Masca
trail isBeach
easy to follow and well sign-posted.
Believed to have been a pirate hideaway, the small Masca Beach on the coast is a
three-hour walk from the village. The hike, already a reward in itself, is through
stunning sceneries and interesting rock formations. Upon arrival, visitors may
enjoy the tranquillity of the beach and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. This
secluded, narrow beach features black sand and rousing, shimmering sea. From the
sand, volcanic rocks soar and curl around the bay, giving the beach a lagoon feel.

It is worth bearing in mind that once down the beach, walking back to the village
takes much longer and requires a high level of fitness. Alternatively, visitors
may take a boat from the coast to the nearby Los Gigantes.
 Cruise from Masca Beach to Los Gigantes
Visitors who want to skip the hiking back to Masca village part may take a water
taxi or kayak to the nearby Los Gigantes. These activities are perfect for those
who to just sit back and relax after the strenuous downhill walk. The dramatic
vertical sea cliffs of Los Gigantes, with some places 400m high, are best viewed
from the water. Furthermore, visitors may even have a close encounter with
dolphins and other sea creatures along the way.

Feast of La Consolacion

The Fiesta de la Consolacin takes place in the first week of December. Villages
wearing traditional dresses bring out their musical instruments for a magical
evening of Canarian music. This is a fun local experience that visitors must try
when visiting Masca.
Masca is located in the northwest at the foot of the Teno Mountains. Part of the
thrill of visiting this quaint village is the journey to get there.

The easiest route from Tenerifes southern resorts is via Santiago del Teide.
Visitors driving on their own may take the TF-436 motorway. Along the way, narrow
roads wind up to a small pass with stunning landscape views. The road writhes
around the steep slopes, with switchback after switchback as it descends into what
could be a lost world. Its an exciting drive but not one for nervous drivers and
passengers. Alternatively, guests may take the TITSA bus line 355 straight to
Masca, which takes about 15 minutes.

On the other hand, visitors wholl drive on their own from Puerto de la Cruz or
other northern towns may take the TF-5, TF-82 and then TF-436 motorways. This is
the easiest and fastest route and may take about an hour. There is also TITSA bus
service that departs four times a day, leaving at 9:01, 12:57, 14:16 and 15:00.
Travel time may take 2-2.5 hours, depending on the departure time and bus route.

Remember to obtain the latest bus timetable from one of the major bus stations.
Visitors who are looking for hotels with 5-star amenities will not find them in
Masca. A small village with only over a hundred in population, what Masca offers
is a homey accommodation. This one and only holiday rental in the village never
fails to make visitors feel as if they are locals instead of tourists.

Casa Rural Morrocatana

Casa Rural Morrocatana boasts one of the best-rated locations in Masca. Its
lovely sun terrace, as well as the balconies in some of the units, provide
unrivaled views of the sea and the surrounding landscape. Bike hire is available
on the property, and the area is popular for golfing. Also, Casa Rural Morrocatana
features free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking.
Considering the small size of the village, there is a limited number of
restaurants and cafes to choose from. Even so, guests find themselves more than
satisfied with the delicious traditional cuisines served at each bistro.

Restaurante La Piedra
Perched at the head of the Masca ravine, lush greenery surrounds this bar and
restaurant. La Piedra offers Canarian cuisines from breakfast until dinner. It
also has a nice outdoor seating where guests can savor their delicious food while
enjoying the terrific views.
Restaurante El Guanche
Anyone whos ever dined in El Guanche could agree that more than the food, this
well-loved restaurant offers an experience. Visitors find themselves engorged in
the dishes that describe the true culinary tradition of the island. Fabulous food,
splendid views, and fantastic service await at this delightful hole in the wall.
Chez Arlette
With a terrace that offers unobstructed views of the ravine and the ocean, Chez
Arlette is one of the well-regarded restaurants in Masca. The outdoor seating is
superb, with lovely flowers and palm trees surrounding guests as they take delight
in their delicious local lunch.
Strolling around Masca is like exploring a vast, outdoor museum. It is more of a
collection of rural houses connected by stone paved roads than a village. Aside
from the striking ravine walls and the postcard-perfect view, the real beauty of
the village lies in its culture and tradition. The rural town feel and the
serenity has been retained, seemingly oblivious of its popularity among tourists.
More and more visitors wanting to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the
crowded resorts find a home in this tranquil village.
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