Barranco del Infierno, Tenerife
Only ten minutes drive from the busy resorts of Los Cristianos and Las Americas you will find the Barranco del Infierno. The barranco, high up in Adeje, is a natural paradise for those who enjoy the beauty of Tenerife's flora, fauna and spectacular scenery.
The walk is a six and a half kilometer round trip, so you will need to be suitably prepared. It is important to wear appropriate clothing and take enough refreshments with you. You won't find a McDonalds anywhere along the route!
Almost from the moment you start the walk you will notice the tranquility and natural beauty that surrounds you. Walking at your own pace you are free to stop as often as you like, indeed there are several specific vantage points along route which make for great photo opportunities.
The walk is open every day except the 25th December and the 1st and 6th January, weather permitting. Walkers are permitted to start the walk between 8.30am and 2.30pm and due to the fact that the total number of daily walkers is limited to around 220, it is advisable to book the walk a day in advance. The cost of the walk is just 3 Euros per person and a guide book is available for an additional 2 Euros, if required.
Once you have completed this amazing walk you might just be ready for something to eat. If you like chicken, you could visit the Otelo's restaurant which is conveniently located at the entrance / end of the walk. The food here is excellent and inexpensive and is a perfect place to sit, relax and reflect on your last few hours in the Barranco del Infierno.
Recommendations Suitable shoes or boots - not flip flops or sandals. Sunglasses. Hat or cap for protection from the sun. Small backpack. Water. A small amount of food
Bookings Reservations should be made 24 hours in advance by calling 922 782 885 Please note that we advise you check whether the Barranco is open before you visit. At the time of writing, the Barranco is closed due to safety concerns.
Tenerife Public Holidays and Fiestas
Public holidays in Tenerife are often accompanied with a celebration whether it’s a local or national event. The Spanish are well known for their colourful fiestas, and Tenerife is no different. Throughout the year the locals come together to celebrate with vibrant displays of traditional costume, music, dance and colourful processions.
Every fiesta is a Christian event and is celebrated with a procession, church service, speeches, fireworks and other attractions including a fun fair. Bands play lively tunes and the locals, some dressed in traditional costume, join in with the dancing. Indeed many of the fiestas can continue well past midnight, in fact its fair to say that’s the time when they really get started.
The largest fiesta takes place in February in the captial city of Santa Cruz and continues for several weeks. Thousands of people of all ages take part in the procession which is a colourful display of decorated floats, spectacular costumes and dancing in the streets to the sounds of lively music till the early hours. To add to the celebration sporting events are organized, rock concerts, markets and a fun fair. The fiesta ends with the ‘Funeral of the Sardine’ and a spectacular firework display. It doesn’t end there though; the carnival travels to other towns around the island for a couple of weeks afterwards. So if you are visiting Los Cristianos during late February / early March, you might just be lucky enough to join in with the celebrations.
Easter is celebrated in a traditional manner with the holiday beginning on Maundy Thurday through to Easter Sunday. You won’t find any Easter eggs in the Spanish supermarkets and the only traditional food eaten is fish on Good Friday. The largest of the Easter fiestas is held in La Laguna in the north, with smaller ones in the villages. If you head up to the old town of Adeje on Good Friday, you will see the Re-enactment of the Passion of Christ, it does get very busy, so get there early!
In the beautiful seaside town of Candelaria, pilgrims from all over the island meet in August to honour the Black Virgin (Patron saint of Tenerife) at the church (Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria). This is a very important fiesta and one that is celebrated with smaller fiestas in several of the smaller towns and villages.
Christmas is also celebrated with the emphasis on tradition and not commercialism. The towns, villages and shopping centres are tastefully decorated with lights and a Christmas tree, but the nativity scene takes centre stage and are well worth seeing. Traditionally, it is the three kings who deliver gifts to the children on the 6th January. The parade of the three kings takes place on the 5th January.