CONTENTS

Walks.

- 1. Los Gigantes - Pipe - return.

- 2. Two tunnels.

- 3. Los Gigantes - Camino rejal to Santiago del Teide. Northern and upper path to Guama - return.

- 4. Los Giantes - Casas de los Qermados - Santiago del Teide - return.

- 5.Los Gigantes - galleria el Sauce - down the barranco de Natero - return via waterchannel - clifftunnel - cliff path.

- 6. Five long and inumerous short tunnels.

- 7. Natero Channel - Seco beach - return.

- 8. Via Canal de Natero - lower Mascatunnel - waterchannel - touristrail to Masca/Mascabay. Taxi or boat back to Los Gigantes

- 9. Los Gigantes - Punta Teno via Santiago de Teide.

- 10. Climbing to the "Hole" from the cliff path.

- 11. To Finca Guerge from Seco beach - return via Natero ravine.

- 12. Los Gigantes - Teide via Arguayo.

- 13 Via lower Mascatunnel and the path to Mascabay (playa Masca).

- 14. 4 long and inumerous short tunnels.

- 15. Cliffpath, Cliffunnel, 4 long and inumerous short tunnels .

- 16. Los Gigantes - lower waterchannel - return.

- 17. Upper waterchannel Los Gigantes.

- 18. To the "kubben", accent and return.

- 19. Following the pipe along the clifs to barranco Mancha de los Diaz - return.

- 20. Accending Risco Blanco fro the white waterchannel.

- 21. Upper Mascapath.

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The trips vary in length from 2 to 12 - 15 hours. The timeconsumption will vary from person to person, so the hour etimates are very approximate. The distance in km. vil give an indication, but the steepnes, the condition of the path and how exposed it is, makes an impact on the time consumption. Many of the trails are situated so that GPS´coverage is bad. In those cases the distanse is estimated.

 

1.) The cliffpath to the old waterpipe - return.

The cliffpath was used by the channel - and tunnelworkers in the 1930`s. My theory is that this originaly is a Guanchetrail that has been widend and made safer for the traffication by people and beasts of burden (donkeys and mules). The old waterpipe was meant to be an easyer sollution connecting the norhern part of canal de Natero to the southern part. Rockfall has damaged it so that in the 1970`s the ecxisting waterchannel was built. Approx. 3 km each way. 200 m. accent/decent. 1,5 to 3 hours.

This is a good walk as an introduction to the Tenomountains. The cliff path begins at the north end of a small man-made plateau at the northernmost road (calle Tabaiba) leading up to the upper settlement. Here is a warningsign telling that the cliffpath is closed and that you go on your own responsibility. The start of the trail is a bit challenging, narrow with loose rocks and small margins to the steep slope towards the sea. When the first approx. 50m. is negotiated It is easy to walk with relatively small altitude differences. The major challenge is that some places are very close to the edge where the cliff goes almost vertically, about 100 meters down in the boulders on the shore. Here's the rule that when you walk, concentrate 100% on the trail and where put your step. If you want to look at the view, stop, and be sure you're standing steady! When you start walking again, focus on the path and spend a few seconds assuring that you have control and balance. It is not always obvious where the trail goes; study the terrain both up and down if in doubt. If you find you have gone wrong, go back until you are sure you are on the trail and try again. About. 2 km. from the start one must climb approx. 10 m down before continuing horizontaly. Recently, the trail is marked with some green paint stains and arrows (arrows pointing only one way - towards Los Gigantes, indicating that most people take the bus to Tamaimo and walk down to Los Gigantes). Shortly after this little climb, one comes to a pretty spectacular shelf with great views. The trail is easy to follow and breaks off soon eastwards into a small barranco. At the bottom of the barranco 60-70 meters below the path, one will see a large square, brown painted surface. This is a cover of a 35m. deep shaft that was planed to be a rainwater cistern. At one point, one must look for the path breaking down to the left before it proceeds roughly horizontaly to a corner where it breaks northward again. Here the trail rises slightly upward, then steep up to the right, and continues northwards until it turns down to a new corner with yellow-brown rock. Around the corner it goes quite steep eastwards and upwards onto a shelf. Soon the path goes horrizontaly a few meters before it goes down into a dry river bed. Here, sometimes it may be a small waterpool. Climb 2 - 3 m down, cross the river bed and follow the path steep up and northwards. At the top a path straight forward appears, turning southwards. This will soon come to a short portal cut through a vertical slice of hard rock. The trail continues upwards and turns again towards the clifffront and becomes more and more exposed. Soon a rusty steel pipe of approx. 25 cm diameter coming down from the right appears. Here, there is every reason to go carefully and choose whether to walk on the inside or outside the pipe. The pipe passes through a short tunnel where one must creep on the knees on the pipes concreete support. A small distance in the open must be negotiated very carefully. Below and parallel to the steel pipe is an old asbestos concrete pipe. This seems to be solid and well attached, but there is only air below, approx. 150m right into the sea! It may be tempting to step on it, but I do not recommend it, it's old and britle! After two, three meters the tube again goes into a tunnel closed with hatch and locked with padlock (some people wishing for an extra exciting trip have broken up the lock or broken the door. It is usually repaired by the tourist authorities). Time to turn and go the same way back. Be sure to go up there where you had to climb about 10m. down! Many people have turned out against the cliff wall in the belief that the path goes there. Therefore, it is also worn a trail there. Some will not turn back and get stuck. Now most people have mobile phones and call 112 to contact the police who sends a rescue helicopter. I have witnessed six such rescue actions during my stays in Los Gigantes. 

 

2.) Two tunnels. Round trip of approx. 12 km. 2 to 5 hours.

At the tennis court is the bus station in Los Gigantes. Just west of this the red apartment complex "Harbor club". Here comes the main road into Los Gigantes from the north. Follow this approx. 100 m. To the first road on the right "Rue de Flamboyant". This is followed to the end where a zigzag walkway with stairs goes up to a cross on the main road. Follow the main road up on the left. The last house is a paint shop. 50 m. past there is an unofficial path to the road above. Follow the road further up past the view platform, restaurant and old fishing boat (here is often busy life with rental cars, coaches and disturbed tourists in the middle of local traffic - the most dangerous part of the trip?) After approx. 200 m., just before a major intersection, a steep road takes up to the left (north). Here is an information sign on "Camino Rejal" and signposts  to the cities of Tamaimo and Santiago del Teide. This is the second important trail with branches into the Teno area (also with branches in the opposite direction, eg. to Teide). The trail is marked with 10 cm. long and 2 cm. wide, yellow and white lines. Follow the track through the banana plantation to the cisterns. To the right (east) you will see the beginning of "Camino Rejal," the kings road, in the form of a staircase. Here are also signs indicating distances. You are now around 300m. asl. Follow camino rejal steep upwards, past a pipe crossing the trail at approx. 400m. asl. After that it is quite horizontal a few hundred meters before it starts to climb again. Soon one comes to a steep hill that is paved with rocks. On top one will get the first glimpse of the upper tunnel that lies between two building ruins to the left (west) of the trail. It continues horizontal 2 - 300 m. Before it climbs again. Shortly after a short strech of road takes off to the tunnel. The height here is aprox. 460 asl. The tunnel is aprox. 1 km. long, easy to walk (impossible to get lost!) and is passed in about 15 minutes. At the north end of the tunnel there are great views of the mountain "Risco Blanco" and bco. "Mancha de los Diaz".

Just outside the tunnel is a small plateau. The trail is seen below to the left (west). It is not obvious where the trail goes everywhere, and there is a bit of climbing here and there. The water channel below and the old buildings are the ones to aim for. After a few minutes, one enters a clear and elaborate path that slopes down towards the valley bottom. This goes first on the left (south) side of the bco. before it crosses the dry river below the buildings. Here it is a little confusing with many small cairns. Look for raised path on the right side (north side) of the barranco. The trail is easy to follow until it turns down to the left towards the river bed, crossing it and continuing down on the left side (south side). Go down until the path crosses a water channel (canal de Natero). Follow the good trail to the left (southeast) along the waterchannel until you reach the lower tunnel (hereafter called the clifftunnel). This tunnel is also easy to walk, approx. 700 m. long and passed in about 10 min. In the waterchannel on the left side, the water flows vividly. At the south end of the tunnel there is a mighty view of the barranco, the sea and the settlement of Los Gigantes. From the tunnel it is a quite demanding path down to the cliff path. It's a lot of loose rocks and gravel so it's important to take it easy and try to walk on the biggest rocks and sollid ground. After 5 to 10 min. one is down on the cliff path which is followed back to Los Gigantes. You may want to go the opposite way if you are in doubt whether yourself or the participants master the cliff path! 

3.) Camino Rejal crossing south of Santiago del Teide. North Path and Upper Path in barranco Mancha de los Dias to Guama and return. About. 19 km. 4 - 6 hours.

Go camino Rejale to a large crossing about 1 km south of Santiago del Teide, just west of the village of Molledo. A sign refers to Casas de los Quermados and Risco Blanco. Go west about 100 m. and take off the big trail to the left (west ). This trail turns more and more southward, passing an old farm and lots of agave cacti. Soon after a ridge with a great view out bco. Mancha de los Dias, Risco Blanco, the sea and La Gomera is reached. In the oposite direction is the wiew of mount Teide in all its might. Follow the big trail further straight south to a sign indicating the path down to camino Rejal. Follow the trail further out and soon the path going down into the bco. Mancha de los Dias becomes visible. This is a large and elaborate path. After a couple of hundred meters there is a small clearance in the bushes above the trail. Here the upper path takes off. It is smaller than the one we leave, but it is easy to go with small altitude differences. After a short time we will see the cross "Cruz de los Misioneros" on the ridge above us (if it has not blown over - something that happens quite frequently). Further south west there are several ridges heading towards the barranco with great views. Risco Blanco and the white water channel dominate the view. An old guanchecave just below the trail is also visible. After a while, a corner is rounded and after a further hundred meters one has to look for the path that takes off steeply uppwards to the left. It is marked with red paint (the path continues along at the same altitude but stops soon). The trail goes steeply up to the sloping Guama plateau with its many cultivation terraces. The path goes on the terraces to the big tourist trail down to camino Rejal. Follow this to bake for Los Gigantes.  

4). To Casas de los Quermados.

Via path to the ridge above the Masca road and Santiago del Teide, down to Santiago del Teide and return via Camino Rejal. The trip follows mostly a well visible path, but it can be demanding to follow and quite exposed in some parts. It can of course also be gone the opposite way! About. 22 km. 5 to 7 hours.

Go Camino Rejal past Tamaimo to sign indicating path to El Molledo. Take off here and get up on the ridge above the bco. Mancha de los Diaz. Here are magnificent views of the Barranco, Risco Blanco, La Gomera and Teide. Follow the marked path to the right (northwest) until you get to the ridge going about north. The official trail continues on the right side of the (east) mentioned ridge. After a short period of time, the white arrow indicates the start of the unofficial path over the ridge. The trail can be somewhat confusing, but nevertheless, one should follow the ridge up to the official path to the old, rather desolate farm Casas de los Quermados. Good path is followed to the farm. Along the way, impressive terraces with tall walls are seen both above and below the trail. Here there has been a great production of fruits and vegetables in their time. Now, people are rarely seen on the farm, only dogbarking suggests that there is some life there. Just before the trail reaches the farm one comes to an area of yellow-red rock. Climb up until one comes to a fence that is lying down. From there, one climbs a few meters up to a ridge and down to a new fence. Follow this to the right (north) until one comes to a mesh bit that can be hooked and folded to the side so that one can get through. Clear path continues northwards. As mentioned above, the trail is well visible. A narrow wall of hard rock, 20-30 m. Long, 5 - 6 meters high and about half a meter thick is passed later. A good example of an erruptive shist of a harder rock. In the gully below, old Guanche settlements are seen. Here, the trail continues eastwards and follows the wall of the gorge that turns around to the north and westward direction. In some places the trail is quite elaborate with walls, elsewhere almost a climbing trail. A protrusion is reached, with a good view of the Masca road and Casas Arraza goat farm. The trail turns eastwards again and turns gradually north and west. After arround 3 hours, one comes to a new protrusion where one stands directly above the Masca road and  has a good wiew on Santiago del Teide, and the viewpoint before the road breaks down into the bco. Masca. Here it is easiest to go down to the aforementioned viewpoint and follow the road down to Santiago del Teide. If one still wishes to travel in nature, the trail can be followed south-east, down towards the city. A cross on a rock to the right (south) will soon be visible. The path becomes more and more diffuse. Soon the crosses along the path from the city and up to the little chapel with the statue in memory of Virgen de Lourdes will be seen. Here, steep and loose traces can be followed down to the chapel. Then there is a large path down to Santiago del Teide. Follow the road to the right (southeast) past the gas station to the sign indicating the beginning of the well-marked and relatively highly-traveled Camino Rejal down towards Puerto Santiago. Followed back to Los Gigantes.

 

5.) Cliff path, cliff tunnel, path up bco. Mancha de los Diaz, dry river bed up to the white tunnel, the path down to the canal de Natero and return. About. 21 km. 4 - 7 hours.

Go the cliff path and through the cliff tunnel. Follow the water channel to the trail up the bco. Mancha de Los Diaz. Take the trail up to where the trail crosses from the north - to the south side of the barranco. Here are some big white boulders. This is also just below the old buildings. Here a dry river bed leads up to the white tunnel (galleria el Sauce). The river bed provides fun scrambling. At one place, a difficulty can be overcome by easy climbing on the left side (west side). The riverbed branches a couple of times - hold left (upper right branch ends in bushes and rough climbing). The white tunnel has a gate where two of the lower bars are cut away (2017) allowing access to the tunnel. Go through the tunnel, this takes about 10 min., (Note that there seems to have been limestone deposits almost to the ceiling of the tunnel and that this has been dug out to open the tunnel) and follow the gorge below the white water channel into the riverbed of barranco de Natero. Here are two possibilities, one can walk down the riverbed, or a trail on the right side (north side). The trail is now (2017) so overgrown that it can be difficult to follow. A bit before reaching the tunnel to barranco Masca, the trail and water channel go on a well visible stone wall. Here one must leave the riverbed and follow the trail. About. 15 min. Below the white water channel, a tunnel mouth to the left (in the south) and walls with a doorway in the cliff above the tunnel is clearly seen (the tunnel is part of the incompleted project "Canal Icod - Adeje," and ends after approx 300 m.) Here one must look right (north). A stone wall is quite visible,  A small trench with lots of vegetation and running water is crossed on an unclear path. Cross the trench and continue on the path down the barranco. After a short period of time one comes to a place where the path seems to dissappear. It takes off perpendicular to the right (north) and continues. Much vegetation makes the trail difficult to see in some places, but it's pretty easy to follow. Somewhere, it goes into the dry river, follows this a few meters before the path continues on the north side of the barranco. Here there are cairns showing the route further. Follow the trail which eventually becomes a fantastic building of walls all the way down to the Canal de Natero. NB The trail has broken out in some places where it is quite exposed - take care there. Follow the water channel, cliff tunnel and cliff path back to Los Gigantes.

 

6.) 5 long and countless short tunnels.

This is a very spectacular walk that includes the Tamaimotunnel, The White Tunnel, the Upper and Lower Mascatunnel and the cliff tunnel. In addition, it includes a lot of shorter tunnels on the incredibly spectacular and exposed waterchannel. Approx. 23 km. 5 to 7 hours

Go Camino Rejale to the Tamaimotunnel, and through this. Climb up to the white water channel (canal el Sauce). Follow the water channel to the left (north) until one reaches the Galleria canal el Sauce (the white tunnel). Here someone has (2017) cut off two of the bars at the bottom of the gate at both ends of the tunnel, so it's okay to get in and out. At the northern end of the tunnel follow the gorge towards Barranco de Natero.

Follow the gorge below the white water channel into the riverbed of barranco de Natero. Here are two possibilities, one can walk down the riverbed, or a trail on the right side (north side). The trail is now (2017) so overgrown that it can be difficult to follow. A bit before reaching the tunnel to barranco Masca, the trail and water channel go on a well visible stone wall. Here one must leave the riverbed and follow the trail. About. 15 min. Below the white water channel, a tunnel mouth to the left (in the south) and walls with a doorway in the cliff above the tunnel is clearly seen (the tunnel is part of the incompleted project "Canal Icod - Adeje," and ends after approx 300 m.) Here one must look right (north). A stone wall is quite visible,  A small trench with lots of vegetation and running water is crossed on an unclear path. Follow the trail upwards until it crosses the vegetation again and ends at the mouth og the upper Mascatunnel. Follow the tunnel across to Barranco Masca. It is up to 50 cm. water and generally at least 5 cm. all the way through. Volcanic gravel is light, and swirls along the way and penetrates into the shoes. Therefore, put in a thorough shooe cleansing after the passage!

The tunnel ends just off the tourist trail which is followed down to the water channel, the lower Mascatunnel and through it. Near the southeast end, the tunnel is wet and muddy. One can avoid this by ballancing on the edge of the waterchannel. The last 20 meters the tunnel is partly filled with masses from a rockfall, so here's a crawl on all four. Well out of the tunnel, follow the channel down a steep gorge to the path. The path is followed down to the dry river bed. Here are houses, tunnel opening and canal de Natero. The waterchannel from the Mascatunnel is aqueducted over the riverbed. Cross the riverbed and climb to canal de Natero. Follow this to the cliff tunnel and the cliff path back to Los Gigantes.

 

7.) The cliff path, clifftunnel and water channel to Barranco Seco.

Down Barranco Seco to "Playa Seco." Over to Barranco Mancha de los Diaz, up to the water channel, the clifftunnel and cliff path back to Los Gigantes. Approx.15 km. 4 to 6 hours.

The water channel entering the clifftunnel continues northwards. Follow the water channel - impossible to go wrong! With a few exceptions, the water channel is easy to walk along, not least in the tunnels to the "Pipe Corner." However, it is quite exposed at the parties between the tunnels. At the corner where the old abandoned pipe starts, there are great wiews of the barranco, the sea and La gomera. The old steel pipe dating back to 1930, is visible going down to the bottom of the barranco and up on the other side before it enters the tunnel to the Los Gigantes cliffs facing the sea. From the "Pipe corner", the walk becomes more demanding. It is often very narrow shelves to walk on, and the short tunnels are narrow, and lower under the ceiling. The most demanding areas are where there is a lot of vegetation that conceals what is a good shelf and what is air! Along many parts of the trip it is very far down, and it will be natural to have your hands ready to grab the rim of the water channel. One can not trust that the waterchannel is particularly solid. There are plenty of examples that the sides have collapsed or are in resolution. In some places it may be better to go on the inner side of the waterchannel. At the end of the waterchannel, a corner is rounded and one will see another waterchannel coming down from the left (northwest) and going into an aqueduct crossing the small gorge before connecting with the channel we are on. Here is also the entrance to the 3.7 km tunnel that the water comes out of, and above it, the building with compressor and fresh air fan. NB! Do not enter tunnels that are not continuous. There is CO2 in the tunnels that displace the oxygen. This can be fatal! In 2007, 6 people died in a tunnel on the north side of the Tenomountains. Most of these tunnels are now closed with solid gates, but one can still find open tunnels that obviously are not throughtunnels.

Also clearly visible is the path that comes down the barranco de Natero. The barranco changes name here, and the lower part going down to the sea is named barranco Seco. The trail continues into the dry river. Follow this a short distance before coming to a well built path. After a short while, the trail enters a green plain with some bushes. Here are several paths to choose from, and quite unclear where to go. The continuation is easiest found near the small hill to the left. To begin with the path is good but eventually, the trail becomes worse, it has colapsed, but there is a clear trail down in the bottom of the barranco. Then the path on the other side (south side) goes down to the bottom and up again on the south side. Furher down the trail can be difficult to find, so it is easiest to go partly on the bottom and partly on the sides of the canyon. One place the only signs of path are some steps chopped into the soft rock. This is in stark contrast to the painstakingly constructed walls and stone paving further up in the barranco. Eventually, the barranco expands and one walks in a rough terrain of large and small rocks before reaching the sea. It is about 200 m decent between the water channel and the sea. Here is a good wiew of the buildings in Los Gigantes. "Playa Seco"  is not much of a "Playa," consisting of small and large cobble stones as it is. Large signs have been set up that warn against rockfall. In the south end of the playa there is a wall with a door and window in the mountain. Shortly after this you will see rails coming out of a closed tunnel (it looks tempting for cavernophiles, but it is only 10-15 meters long within the wall). Follow the riverbed up and look for the trail that starts on the left side. The trail is partly in good condition and partly overgrown and difficult to see. Cross to the right side (east side) before it reaches the previously mentioned pipe comming steeply down from the left (northwest). Notice quite a big grotto on the right side. This has probably been a Guanche residence but has also been used by the workers building the water channel and the pipe. A trail continues on the left (west) side of the pipe, going up to a place where a steep wall must be traversed for a few metres. A wire is attached to have something to hold on to. The path after this can be difficult to follow. By following the riverbed one will never doubt where to go! One reaches 2 to 6 meters high obstacles, which can be climbed or passed on both sides. Further up, the path goes on alternating right or left side, and is easier to follow than to walk/climb  the river bed. After a while, one comes just below the water channel. One should strive to find the path up. Some confusing cairns do not help make the search easier, but with a little trial and error one should find the path. Follow the water channel south to the clifftunnel and cliffpath back to Los Gigantes.

 

8.) Cliffpath, tunnels, waterchannels and touristpath to Mascabay.

This trip is an option to drive to Masca and go down to the sea. One misses the upper part of Barranco Masca, but in return, the spectacular cliff path, canal de Natero and canal de Masca.

Follow the cliff path to the clifftunnel and channel to the end at Barranco Seco. Here is the aqueduct, waterchannel coming down from the left (north-west) and a building with compressor and air pump, as memorials of the efforts made to get water to the plantations in the Tamaimowalley, A little niche with a cross to honor one or another saint, is found in the rock and the 1936 figure indicates when the work started. The path that comes down to the area from Barranco de Natero is clearly visible on the left. Walk the trail until it crosses the water channel. This is followed steeply until it apparently ends in a large rock fall. Behind a boulder a tunnel becomes visible. The innfilling of coarse gravel makes the opening only 60 - 70 cm. high to start with. About. 20 m. Inside, there is full standing height. After a short walk it becomes muddy and wet on the floor. To avoid this, it is possible to balance the edge of the waterchannel while supporting one self against the wall of the tunnel. After approx. 50 m. one can walk on the floor again. The light from the north end of the tunnel estimated at approx. 800 m. distance is seen all the time. At the north end of the tunnel is barranco Masca. Here the mountains rise 6-800 m. It is narrow, several places no more than 50 meters, and the sun is seen just a few hours each day. Follow the water channel, soon one will get around a corner and one has spectacular views of one of the wider areas of Barranco Masca. 100 m. below is the tourist trail and tourists who come in small flockes. At the same height, the waterchannel is built on a shelf cut out of the vertical mountain side. High above the sky is seen above vertical cliffs, side - barrancos, cave openings and wild rock formations! Proceed along the waterchannel, which has a fairly spacious shelf on the outside. It is not as demanding as the canal de Natero water channel, but equally spectacular. NB. Be careful not to kick loose rocks that can fall down on the tourists below! Somewhere, a larger rock has burst down and causes little challenge to pass. Go carefully outside and grip the rock! Follow the waterchannel in the open, and in shorter and longer tunnels until it enters the tourist trail.

From here you can choose whether you want to go to the Masca settlement - 0.5 to 1 hour or if you want to go down to the sea - 1 to 2 hours (the biggest obstacle to fast walk are the many tourists who walk slowly on narrow paths with few opportunities to pass). NB. If one wishes to take a boat back to Los Gigantes, buy a ticket at the port of Los Gigantes in advance. From Masca, one can take a bus or taxi back to Los Gigantes.

 

9). From Los Gigantes to Punto Teno via Santiago de Teide, Cruz de Gala, Baracan, and Los Balaideros (Teno Alto).

About. 28 km. 6 - 8 hours. This is a spectacular trip with many beautiful parties and great views. The paths are easy to go and well marked. The highest point (cruz de Gala) is at about 1200 m. asl. When approaching the end there is a rocky and uneven path that goes very steeply downhill. If one does not want to go the same way back, one must be picked up by car. One should be very fit to choose to go up to Teno Alto to reach the last bus home!

Go the Camino Rejal to Santiago del Teide. Follow the road to Erjos. Pass the recreation area on the left side. Turn left at the cross where road leads to Valle de Ariba. Cross dry riverbed on bridge and go to first right turn of the carriageway. The sign is clearly visible in the turn where a path takes of (westward) into the forrest. The trail gets steeper and follows the forrest edge up to a band of approx. 1200 m. Height. Here is a great view over Teno to the west and Teide to the east. A large and good trail follows the ridge separating north and south of the island. It is relatively easy with moderate ups and downs. Varies between going south and north of the ridge. Some forest roads are passed. It can be a little confusing, but it's just tofollow the trail along the ridge. About half way crossing the Masca road at approx. 800 m. Altitude. From here, it goes evenly upwards to a pass in approximately the height of "Baracan" at approx. 1000 m. asl. The trail then runs smoothly towards Teno Alto. A gravel road is visible down to the left (southwest). After going through a small forest trail, an asphalt road leads down to Los Balaideros. Here you can buy refreshments and a snack.

From here, follow the asphalt road further west 300 m. Before one again comes to the path/ dirt road. Along the coast, a strange changing noise sounds from the coast. There are several roads so it can be a little confusing, but carry on down to some houses that are on a winding road. Soon it becomes apparent where the sounds come from when the wind mills down by the coast are visible. The path goes to the left (west of) the houses on the edge of a barranco. This trail is steep and rocky and requires attention all the time (it may be considered to follow the winding asphalt road instead!) A few hundred meters futher on one comes to a dirt road crossing the barranco. This is followed to the left (west). Here is a rather idyllic area as the road gently slopes down a green grassy area. A fence with a gate is passed (remember to close the gate!) This road stops at a small plateau, where an elaborate path turns further down to the road to the buildings of the plantation. The final walk along the carriageway takes approx. one-quarter of an hour to the actual Punto.

 

10.) Up to the "hole" from the sea, back via Guama and the tourist trail.

The hole is clearly visible from Los Gigantes and is located at approx. 650 moh. There is a trail, partly official, starting from the camino Rejal up there, but it is also possible to get up from the west. This is  described below. One should be quite experienced in climbing on the first part from the water channel and up. Some may regard it as unreasponsable to go without a safety rope. It is undoubtedly much safer to go the opposite way to the "Hole" and the same way back! Approx. 10 km. 3 to 5 hours.

Walk the cliff path to the clifftunnel and follow the water channel approx. 100 m. In the direction of Los Gigantes. At a corner with a gorge and a dry stream bed, the climb starts. It is relatively demanding climbing about one hundred meters up before one comes to a place where it is possible to get up on the 3rd (from the left) of the ridges that go north and up to the band on the ridge below the hole. This is followed upwards. Try to follow small ridges on solid rock and large boulders, otherwise it will be  two steps forward and one back! There are traces of Guanche trails there, but they can be hard to find and incoherent. Pull over to the left (outward/westward), and as soon as the conditions allow, cross over to the next ridge. Here there are solid ridges going steeply upwards. There is some easy climbing here and there. Nearly at the top some old walls and signs of human activity become visible. From there it goes steeply but easily to the band at around 500 m. asl. Try to find trails on the north side ("Back") of the ridge upwards. These are often demanding to follow due to vegetaton and are apparently incoherent. The original guanchepath is interupted by goattrails and vegetation. My experience is that if in doubt, go as close to the edge top as possible. Eventually the hole becomes visible and there are no special challenges to get up to it. The hole is 7 - 8 m. Wide and 9 - 10 m. high. Great views in all directions! There is a well visible path from the hole northwards, up to the edge with the sloping terraced plateau called "Guama" starts. Go up along the edge to the cairns that show the path along the terraces (it may seem like it's ok to walk anywhere, but it's definitely easiest to follow the established path!). Follow this allmost horizontally to the official path down the east side of the plateau. This is large, well visible and marked with the yellow and white stripes. Follow the trail down to Camino Rejal (coming onto this just below the Tamaimotunnel) and back to Los Gigantes.

 

11.) To Finca Guergue - Casas, Araza - Barranco de Natero / Seco - Return.

This is considered to be our toughest trip. It comprises high accents and decents, demanding climbing and it's long! Good skills in walking off trail are required, and ability to see good trails. To manage the walk while it's daylight a good physical form is a prerequisite! About. 33 km. 8 to 12 hours. It goes from 0 to about 200 moh. down to 0 moh. Then back up to 1000 m. asl. and down to 0 asl. again.

Go the cliff path, through the clifftunnel, down Barranco Mancha de los Diaz to Playa Seco. Cross the "playa," which is a coblestone beach that is demanding to walk, over to Barranco Seco. Turn off up the first gorge going left (north) upwards. Here there is a faint path on the left side (west side) but it is not always easy to see. About 100 asl. there are shelves and a faint, steep (still visible because of the wildgoats going there) on the opposite side of the gorge (east side). The trail first goes in the direction of Barranco Seco (southward) before it goes steadily (eastward) and steep up parallel to the barranco again. A light yellow/brown eruption rock of 2 - 3meters width is seen to the left (north). Here and there are stacked stones as an indication that there has been a trail. Go upward below the eruption trail, try to find traces with the least climbing. The goal is a steep north - southbound ridge. As you approach the ridge you get to a shelf with a partial roof. Follow the shelf and look for a new shelf back in the opposite direction. You will now be just below the eruption zone and quite close to the ridge. In this area it's challenging to find an easy trail, I've messed up myself a number of times. Just above the eruption and on the ridge, a clear and well visible trail goes upwards. Almost up, one is at the bottom of a 4 - 5 meter high wall in bright yellow-brown rock. A small gorge in the wall gives easy access to "Lomo de Tablada." Here are walls and terraces. Initially, a good visible trail runs paralell to and 10 - 20 m. from the edge of the barranco upwards to a small platau. Paths continue, but are confusing at times and dense vegetation doesn`t make it better. Generally, one is right in following the far right (south) alternative. After about a quarter of an hour one comes down to a small band and there are two paths up from here. Once again, a lot of vegetation makes the route unclear, but one faces the pico Guerge before turning to the right (east). From the band below Pico Guerge, the trail becomes easier to navigate to the ruins of the ancient and deserted farm "Finca Guerge", which is very close to the edge of Barranco Seco. The path further is clear, but in some places confusing. The different trails all lead in the same main direction. After half an hour, there is another old farm with a nice threshing circle. Further on the trail is a bit cluttered, but the different trails all lead to the main path going towards the Masca road. Soon you will see the highest point of the walk right below the little peak called "Los Pajares". Some more house ruins are passed and there is a beautiful green sloping to the right (east) of the trail. Suddenly the path reaches the sharp ridge between barranco Masca and barranco de Natero. Here are magnificent wiews both down to Masca willage, all of the Teno mountains and Teide. The trail is here approx. 2 m wide, with verticall pitches several hundred meters down into the barranco Masca. From here the trail is wide and well visible, often paved or a stairway. It goes partly on top of, partly on the south side of the ridge towards the road and the farm casas Araza. Our goal is to find the trail that goes down the barranco de Natero from the carriageway. Casas Araza, an old farm, is seen just below the Mascaroad which is easily visible with its bright, curbs. There is a fence over the valley to keep the goats inside. Pass this and walk a few hundred meters to a path taking off to the right (south). After a short while, one comes to the path going down the barranco de Natero. The trail is good and clear. What makes it challenging is that the vegetation is taking over more and more. The branches often hang so low that one must bend down to get past. After approx. An hour one approaches a fairly narrow gorge where the trail is partly destroyed, but it does not take much time to follow the river bed. One place one must climb into a hole - walk a few meters and climb up again. A few hundred meters more and one comes to old houses, a stone fence and railways. These are leftovers from the working of the tunnel "Galleria de Natero", which lies just to the right (north) of the trail. Here the water flows abundantly and leads to the "White water channel." 

Follow the path further down until we see a tunnel opening with a wall with a doorway just over, on the left (south) side of the river. On this stretch, the vegetation is troublesome, so an alternative is to follow the river bed. Thick deposits of lime create many strange formations in the river bed. Here it is important to find the trail because the river bed and gorge has some pitches that requires rappelling. The rock deposits from the making of the Masca tunnel to the right (north) is passed. The trail is pretty easy to follow. Take care of a place where it looks like the trail is lost, breaking up to the right (north) before it turns down to the riverbed. Follow the riverbed for about a hundred meters and then go up on the right bank (north side) again. The trail has broken out in some places and a little demanding to follow. Further down the barranco becomes narrower and the sides are steeper. Here some impressive walls have been built! At one place the path goes steeply uppwards before it flatens and goes downward again in an impressive zigzag trail. Soon the roof of the building raised in connection with the making of the Natero Gallery becomes visible. Here the trail also has broken out and must be negotiated with caution and concentration! The water channel from the lower Mascatunnel is passed and after a short time on the trail, one is down to the canal de Natero. Then follow the water channel to the clifftunnel, and cliffpath back to Los Gigantes.

 

12). Los Gigantes to Teide via Arguayo.

This is a physically demanding trip with an almost "infinite" accent. Depending on the physical form, it should be possible to go the entire distance in one day and reach the last gondola down at five o clock. It is crucial to carry out with the health in mind and plans for having to spend the night in over 3000 m. asl. in temperatures well below zero. One might be lucky to have shorts and T-shirt conditions to the top but one can also experience temperatures around zero and strong winds. In that case the funicular will not go. Planning with regard to various challenges is therefore important when climbing Teide. The most important safety factor is  good weather! About 33 km. 11-15 hours. 3718 m accent.

Go Camino Rejal to Tamaimo. Go up to the main road crossing in the center of the town. Follow the road on the left (north) towards Guia Isora and El Teide. At the second last houses take a very steep asphalt road to the left (north). Follow the road until it ends. Follow the big trail further. The new highway is crossed in a tunnel with an elaborate path. One comes up to a place with a fenced area and a few roads. Here, follow the path to the left (west). Slightly unclear due to vegetation, but soon visible again. Continue steep up to the carriageway at Arguayo. Walk a few m. to the left (northwest) and get off the road for a few meters up to the road above. Take the first road to the right (southeast) pass "bar Cerrado" and take the first road to the left (northeast). Follow this road to the sign and path towards Santiago del Teide. Here are several roads and paths that can be confusing. Follow white and green marking. Past houses, water tunnels and water rains. Further steep up to the path turns right (southeast). Follow this through a lava area. The trail is marked with concrete piles. Cross where the path turns right and continue to pine forest. Here one must look for a path that goes into the forest in the northeast. Initially, it goes close to some concrete poles. It's important to find this trail because otherwise one will be walking in rough and  confusing lava and shrubb. The trail will soon take you to a large gravel road that runs parallel to the large water canal "Canal Vergara". Follow the road to the right (southeast) for 20 - 25 minutes until it divides. Turn left (northeast). Soon the big entrance to "Cueva grande del Chio" becomes visible. Shortly past this comes a new cross where the path straight up (north) is visible. The trail crosses the gravel road that runs in curves a couple of times before it reaches the carriageway to Las Canadas crater. Cross the road, the path ahead is clear and well marked. Further upwards there are some crosses, but only the steepest options are chosen in roughly the same direction. Eventually one comes out of the woods and into a lava area. Here the trail is a bit diffuse but goes where it is natural. A thin galvanized water pipe lies across the path and one comes down in a recess. Here the path is a little confusing. take the necessary time to be sure you find the path again. Furtheron, it is easy walking to a gravel road (about 21 km and about 1900 m. asl. has been completed). You should not have used much more than about 5 hours and have plenty more energy to be sure to reach the sumit in a reasonable time). Follow the gravel road to the left (north) until the carriageroad is reached. Cross the road and go without a path straight up about perpendicular to the road. After approx. 10 min. one comes to a large trail that is followed to the right (southeast). After another approx. 10 min. the marked path to Teide takes off.

The trail goes into low bush forests until the vegetation limit is reached, in a shallow gorge and then up the mountain side towards Pico Sur and Pico Viejo. The craters "Narises del Teide" is passed, and after another hour, one is on a flater ridge with the above-mentioned peaks. If one does not want to spend time climbing them, look for the path that passes below to the right (south). Soon the trail begins to rise again, and enters into the black lava field. The trail is clearly visible and labeled with metal plates. A big sign showing the start of a tourispath that leads to the upper funicular building is visible from a good distance. To the left of the sign (north of), there also is visible a steep trail upward to the sumit of Teide.

From the sign one can choose to go to the funicular building and follow the tourist trail to the sumit crater. It requires that one has been granted permission from the tourist authorities. It can be ordered on the internet. There is a big demand for such a permission, so one must book well in advance. Alternatively one can go straight up the cone (not visible from the tourist area). This is the most demanding part of the trip. The cone initially consists of loose gravel and it is really demanding to get up. It will be a step forward and 0.9 steps back! If you're lucky to find a bigger rock, it's a good fortune to progress. The last 50m. before the crater rim there is solid rock and large boulders that are easy to climb. Up in the crater there is a strong fume of sulfur that leaks out of cracks in several places. Down to the funicular building it is easy to follow the tourist trail. Ticket for the trip down is purchased in the funicular building.

 

13.) Clifftunnel, waterchannels and trails for playa Masca.

This trip is an option to drive to Masca and go down to the sea. One misses the upper part of Barranco Masca, but in return, the spectacular cliffpath, canal de Natero, the lower Mascatunnel and a spectacular path from the Canal de Masca and down to the tourist trail. About. 15 km. 3 to 6 hours . The biggest obstacle to going fast in Barranco Masca are the tourists who walk carefully and slowly on a narrow path with few opportunities to pass!

Follow the cliffpath to the clifftunnel and waterchannel to the end of Barranco Seco. Here are the aqueduct, the waterchannel coming down from the left (north-west) and a building with compressor and air pump, as memorials of the efforts made to get water to the plantations in the Tamaimowalley. A little niche with a cross to honor some or other saint, is found in the rock above the channel and the 1936 figure indicates when the work took place. The path that comes down to the area from Barranco de Natero is clearly visible on the left. Walk the trail until it crosses the waterchannel, follow the waterchannel until it apparently ends in a large rock fall. Behind a large boulder a tunnelmouth becomes visible. Rubbel has filled in the tunnel and makes the opening only 60 - 70 cm. high to start with. About. 20 m. inside, there is full standing height. After a short period of time it becomes muddy and wet on the floor. To avoid this, it is possible to balance the edge of waterchannel while steadying one self holding on to the tunnelwall. After approx. 50 m. the floor is dry again. The light from the north end of the tunnel estimated at approx. 800 m., is seen all the time. At the north end of the tunnel is barranco Masca. Here the mountains rise 6-800 m. It is narrow, several places no more than 50 meters, and the sun is seen just a few hours each day. Follow the waterchannel, soon one will get around a corner and have a spectacular view of one of the wider areas of Barranco Masca. 100m. lower the tourist trail and often tourists who come in small flocks are easly visible. At the same height, the waterchannel is laid on a shelf that is partly cut out of the vertical mountain side. High above the sky is seen above vertical cliffs, side - barrancos, cave mouths and wild rock formations! To find the path leading down to the tourist trail go back again for a couple of hundred meters until a cairn a litle below the waterchannel. This marks the beginning of the path down to the tourist trail. small cairns and stacked stones show where the trail goes. A piece down the canyon is a small part where the trail is paved. Here, a path goes inward the gorge (back towards the tunnel) and after a few hundred meters one comes to a mountain overhang with a cistern, walls, machine foundations and gate poles made up of red stones. A distraction that is well worth! Back at the paved path, the trail is quite visible further down into the gorge, and eventually crosses it. On the other side of the gorge (west side), the path is clearly visible where it goes over a small hill before it snakes  down, into the gorge, under an overhang (really spectacular!) and to the bottom of the gorge. Then it's a bit of climbing before coming down to the tourist trail. From here it is 0.5 to 1.5 hours down to the sea. NB Even though one is on a tourist path, the journey continues quite demanding, which causes many (the vast majority!) Of the tourists to descend very slowly. Often it is difficult to get past them. For many, this will slow down the trip down to the sea! 

14.) Four long and countless short tunnels.

NB This trip requires experience in negotiating terrain with no trails, both in terms of assessment of passages and ability to climb! As a minimum, a 20m. Rope and gloves should be brought. Possibly also rappelling equipment suitable for double rope. Approx. 23 km. 5.5 to 8 hours. 800 m. accent and decent.

Go Camino Rejale to the Tamaimotunnel, and through this. Walk up to the white waterchannel. Follow the waterchannel to the left (north). After 10-15 minutes, one comes to the northernmost turn. Here a dry riverbed (after rain there is a small pool) goes up and north on the right side (east side) of Risco Blanco. Follow the riverbed up until it branches. Follow the branch to the left (west) until it ends and it will be natural to break upwards. Easy scrambling. Eventually, a lonely tree becomes visible in a yellow-brown rock. Go up to this and then start heading towards the band in the north where signs for the tourists are seen clearly. The band is about 850 asl. and reached after 2 - 3 hours from Los Gigantes. From the band one looks down in the barranco de Natero and houses from the construction of the water tunnel and the "White waterchannel." (Galleria and canal el Sauce). Down the barranco de Natero you have to find a route (I do not want to give an detailed description of the trail the first hundred meters. Here's the individual's ability to assess and climbing skills come in!) About 100m below the band it becomes less steep and it will be natural to follow a small dry streambed downward. Some places are climbed on the left side (west side). A cliff of 8 - 10 m. which is difficult to get outside, is rigged with a bolt with an eye. Here a double rope is rigged. Descend by the hands (there are good shelves to put your feet on) or rappell. Then it's relatively straightforward climbing until one is down by the white waterchannel right at the north end of a tunnel. 

Follow the gorge below the white water channel into the riverbed of barranco de Natero. Here are two possibilities, one can walk down the riverbed, or a trail on the right side (north side). The trail is now (2017) so overgrown that it can be difficult to follow. A bit before reaching the tunnel to barranco Masca, the trail and water channel go on a well visible stone wall. Here one must leave the riverbed and follow the trail. About. 15 min. Below the white water channel, a tunnel mouth to the left (in the south) and walls with a doorway in the cliff above the tunnel is clearly seen (the tunnel is part of the incompleted project "Canal Icod - Adeje," and ends after approx 300 m.) Here one must look right (north). A stone wall is quite visible,  A small trench with lots of vegetation and running water is crossed on an unclear path. Follow the trail upwards until it crosses the vegetation again and ends at the mouth of the upper Mascatunnel. Follow the tunnel across to Barranco Masca. It is up to 50 cm. water and generally at least 5 cm. all the way through. Volcanic gravel is light, and swirls along the way and penetrates into the shoes. Therefore, put in a thorough shooe cleansing after the passage!!

The tunnel ends just off the tourist trail which is followed down to the water channel, the lower Mascatunnel and through it. Near the southeast end, the tunnel is wet and muddy. One can avoid this by ballancing on the edge of the waterchannel. The last 20 meters the tunnel is partly filled with masses from a rockfall, so here's a crawl on all four. Well out of the tunnel, follow the channel down a steep gorge to the path. The path is followed down to the dry river bed. Here are houses, tunnel opening and canal de Natero. The waterchannel from the Mascatunnel is aqueducted over the riverbed. Cross the riverbed and climb to canal de Natero. Follow this to the cliff tunnel and the cliff path back to Los Gigantes.

 

15.) Cliffpath, clifftunnel, path up barranco Mancha de los dias, dry river river, and 4 long and countless short tunnels.

Approx. 20 km. 4.5 - 6 hours.

This trip starts with the cliffpath and clifftunnel. Follow the path up barranco Mancha de los Diaz to approx. 400 m. asl., Where the path crosses the barranco from left to right (south). Here are some big boulders, and a riverbed taking off to the left (north - it's also right below the old compressor and blower building). The riverbed provides fun scrambling up towards the white waterchannel. NB. As one approaches the white waterchannel the river divides. Follow left (west) branch! Close to the white channel is a large mound of rubble. Go on the right side opposit the rubble mound until one is just below the white channel. then climb the rubble up to  the tunnel (Galleria canal el Sauce - the white tunnel). Here's someone (2017) cut off two of the bars at the bottom of the gate at both ends of the tunnel, so it's okay to get in and out. At the north end of the tunnel follow the gorge towards Barranco de Natero.

Follow the gorge below the white water channel into the riverbed of barranco de Natero. Here are two possibilities, one can walk down the riverbed, or a trail on the right side (north side). The trail is now (2017) so overgrown that it can be difficult to follow. A bit before reaching the tunnel to barranco Masca, the trail and water channel go on a well visible stone wall. Here one must leave the riverbed and follow the trail. About. 15 min. Below the white water channel, a tunnel mouth to the left (in the south) and walls with a doorway in the cliff above the tunnel is clearly seen (the tunnel is part of the incompleted project "Canal Icod - Adeje," and ends after approx 300 m.) Here one must look right (north). A stone wall is quite visible,  A small trench with lots of vegetation and running water is crossed on an unclear path. Follow the trail upwards until it crosses the vegetation again and ends at the mouth of the upper Mascatunnel. Follow the tunnel across to Barranco Masca. It is up to 50 cm. water and generally at least 5 cm. all the way through. Volcanic gravel is light, and swirls along the way and penetrates into the shoes. Therefore, put in a thorough shooe cleansing after the passage!

The tunnel ends just off the tourist trail which is followed down to the water channel, the lower Mascatunnel and through it. Near the southeast end, the tunnel is wet and muddy. One can avoid this by ballancing on the edge of the waterchannel. The last 20 meters the tunnel is partly filled with rubbel from a rockfall, so here's a crawl on all four. Well out of the tunnel, follow the channel down a steep gorge to the path. The path is followed down to the dry river bed. Here are houses, tunnel opening and canal de Natero. The waterchannel from the Mascatunnel is aqueducted over the riverbed. Cross the riverbed and climb to canal de Natero. Follow this to the cliff tunnel and the cliff path back to Los Gigantes.

 

16.) Cliff path to the lower water channel.

The Lower water channel lies approx. 5 meters above sea level and is clearly visible from the marina of Los Gigantes. About. 3 km each way - 2 to 3 hours.

Follow the cliffpath until it takes off eastwards. After approx. 100 m. a rock staircase goes steeply down to the left. Follow this down to a dry creek. From here, a path on the north side leads to a larger stream bed. It can be difficult to see the trail, but by improvising and going where it falls naturally, one will come down to the large brown painted lid above the deep shaft. Follow the stream bed further out towards the sea (steep and akward). To the left (south side) a steep track has been cut down towards the mouth of the water tunnel. An old rusty crane stands on a narrow plateau outside the tunnel. Down on the plateau one can look into the tunnel and feel the water coming out of the canal. This is surprisingly hot! This tunnel, which is closed, is supposed to be 600m long. A tunnel of approx. 100 m can be followed to the south end where it is closed with a gate. NB! The trip from the cliff path down is demanding and partly very exposed! Return the same way.

 

17.) Upper waterchannel above the cliffpath.

This waterchannel in the rock wall approx. 200 meters above sea level is well visible from the Los Gigantes village. It is accesable  from both north and south. Here the trip from the north is described. Round trip of approx. 7 km. 2 to 3 hours. I have been going this trip three times in 7-8 years. Every time I think its worse than the previous one.

Walk the cliffpath to the clifftunnel. Just below the clifftunnel walk along the waterchannel back in the direction of Los Gigantes. Shortly after the start comes  a part where there is a rope for support because there is no shelf to walk on. Another place a rope is hanging so that one can climb down and get out of a place where it is impossible to walk. It requires climbing to get back up. Later there is a place where it appears that the supporting rock under the channel has fallen so that the waterchannel rest on a thin leaf. A place where a high wall has been built, the rocks under the waterchannel have fallen down so that it hangs in the air. There is nothing else to put your legs on than the 10 cm wide edge of the waterchannel. It's almost vertical 30-40 meters down, so here one should go carefully! This part is only a few meters long and after this the channel is ok. Follow the waterchannel until one comes to a corner where paths take off. A banana plantation is visible right below. Follow the trail down to the south end of the banana plantation and walk a little north along the plantation until a gravel road is reached. The road is followed down to a plateau crossed in the direction of the large stone wall and the banana plantation road. It's a little nasty and loosely down to the road. Go down to the carriageway and down to Los Gigantes. This is a very demanding  trip with great scenery and stunning views, but I would still strongly advise no to go it without safety devices (hammerdrill, securing bolts and rope) for use especially at the part where one has to balance on the edge of the waterchannel.  

18.) Climbing the "pillar" and return.

8 - 9 km. 3 to 4 hours. Well-visible from the areas near the sea in Los Gigantes is a large "rockpillar" about the same altitude as "the hole". Bring a rope, climbing harnes, 4 eyelets for 10 mm. bolts, at least the same number of carabins, acenders and rapell brake that can take double rope (figure of eight).

Go Camino Rejal to where the trail takes off to Guama (well marked). Walk up the path until it turns off to the right (north). From here you can see right down to the pillar. Follow the the trail until you are right below the pillar. The first 2 meters are free climbing, then the eyelets on the drilled expansion bolts are used for securing a rope according to the usual principles. There are 4 bolts on the way up and one at the top where there is an eye nut permanently. Go to the top, stick out your arms and take a picture! Rappel down on double rope. Bring your eye nuts. Go the same way back to los Gigantes.

 

19.) The pipe along the cliffs,

through the tunnel to the bco. Mancha de los Diaz, down the pipe, up to the clifftunnel and home via the cliff path. Bring rope, rapelling equipment and a headlamp. Approx. 10 km. 4 - 5 hours. 

The pipe along the cliffs is visible from Los Gigantes and clearly visible from a boat. The pipe is a precursor for waterchannel in the clifftunnel, built in the 1930s. It was an attempt at a simpler solution than the waterchannel that was built later. It was first used asbestos concrete pipes, which were easily destroyed by falling rocks. These were later replaced by a steel pipe. This was also damaged by rockfall. In the 1970`s, therefore, the current waterchannel was made.

If one has the opportunity to open the door that closes the access to the pipe or climb outside, one has access to a very exciting, demanding and exposed trip! Remember equipment for rappelling, as well as for anchoring to the pipe! The first part of the trip is probably the most exposed, so it's important to go with great care! Later one walks along a sloping gravel hill, into a chimney, on the side of a square niche, and through some crawl tunnels. There is a  really nasty place; The pipe goes close to the mountain, but the trail for the workers is laid up a steep knob of very loose rock - it can be picked apart with the hands. Some long bolts were knocked in to this rock and a thin tube to hold onto, attached to these. This failed at minimal load! I think that a solution could be to secure a rope to the large water pipe that appears to be quite stable. Well past this challenge it is a farily easy scramble to a shelf where the pipe is protected by a natural roof. At the northern end of the shelf, the pipe turns slightly up and into a tunnel. This one has just room for the pipe and a person who crawls on top. Bring your knee protectors! The tunnel is estimated at approx. 300 m. From the north end, the pipe goes horizontally a few meters before it goes steeply down towards the bottom of the bco. Mancha de los Diaz. There are joints on the pipes for each meter and cast foundations for every 5 meters so it is relatively easy to climb. I recomend having a rope loop as a security around the pipe. A place a high wall that the pipe originally rested on, has partly collapsed. The pipe hangs in the air at a distance of 6 - 7 meters. Here one must rappel down about 10 m. To the foot of the wall. Then the pipe continues to the bottom of the barranco. Follow dry riverbed and trails up to the waterchannel, the clifftunnel and the cliff path back to Los Gigantes.

 

20.) Climbing the "Risco Blanco."

The rock Risco Blanco is not very high, the top is about 900 m., but it is very eye-catching. Well visible both from the Tamaimo road to Santiago de Teide, Camino Rejal and of course all highpaths in the area. It is in a light brown color and stands out from the black and gray surroundings. It forms the remains of a large mountainous rock that was pushed up due to volcanic activity. It can be reached either from a tourist trail or from the white waterchannel. The latter gives the most climbing and is the one described below. About. 12 km. round trip. 4 to 6 hours.

Go Camino Rejal to the Tamaimo tunnel and through this. At the north end, climb up to the white water channel. Here one must find a negotiable trail.  Alternatively, one can walk the cliff path, the clifftunnel and walk up Barranco Mancha de los Diaz until the trail crosses the white waterchannel.

Follow the white waterchannel westwards to the foot of Risco Blanco. I Recommend to begin climbing a short distance after the northernmost turn of the waterchannel is passed (where the ascension to the 800m. band begins. Described in walk 12). Find a place with firm rock and little vegetation and begin the climb. It is not possible to provide a detailed description of the climb, here is the ability of the individual to find a good route that applies. If lucky one will find more indications that Guanchene has followed about the same route and set up walls and stairs to make the trip easier. After a while, one will come to a slight turn up to the right (southwest). This is followed up to a ridge and eventually to a small plateau just below the top. Here are walls of the Guanches. From here, one must cross horizontally a small distance in the eastern direction. The final leg is steep, but easy climbing the last 50-70 meters to the top. Great views in all directions. From the top the easiest way down is northwest to the 800 m band. The end/beginning of the tourist trail. The path is followed up to the old farm "Casa de los Quermados", past this to the crossroads below Santiago del Teide and Camino Rejal. Alternatively, one can take the trail on top of a ridge that goes in the direction of Tamaimo. Demanding trail that after a while comes into a big official trail. This can also be followed down to Camino Rejal and back to Los Gigantes. 

 

21.) To Barranco Masca and upper Mascatunnel via path above the Mascawaterchannel, "Upper Mascatrail."

Return via upper Mascatunnel, the white waterchannel and 3 alternative finishes. About. 30 km. - 6 - 8 hours. This is a demanding trip because it is sometimes very exposed. In return, it is incredibly spectacular and goes into areas that currently seem to be "tourist-free."

Go to Barranco Masca via cliffpath, clifftunnel canal de Natero and the lower Mascatunnel. Continue along the water channel until it breaks off and goes parallel to the barranco. Just after the short tunnel, look for the stone staircase that turns up to the right (south). The steps are clear and follow approx. 50 m. until one comes to a relatively horrizontal path that slowly rises inward the barranco. The trail is straight, but exposed - just like the cliffpath. After about 30 minutes, one reaches an area with several shelves and it may be confusing to see where the trail is going. There is also a ridge facing the barranco. Follow the trail that crosses the ridge. At the top of the ridge, the trail further is unclear, but the direction is to the right (south). Then the path turns and goes over and around another ridge. Then pass an area where vague terraces are visible above the path (it tells a little about which areas the Guanches established themselves to be in peace!). The path becomes clearer and then one comes to a fairly spectacular area! A fence is built of agave stems, twigs and steelnetts across the path. A gate that can be opened is tied with a rope. This is probably done to limit the goats' wandering. The fence has been built so far down the cliff below the path that even the goats can not pass it. Furtheron the trail goes on a partially shrouded shelf until one again swings out. Along the way, a short stone bridge is passed. This seems solid enough, but it will soon be visible that the rocks are resting on some old agave stems I hope it's designed so that the rocks are self-supporting (wedging stuck) when the logs rot away! Then some old walls and some short caves are passed. One of the caves seems to be man-made and stretches inwards around 20 m. A half-wall partially closes the entrance. Some garbage, beer cans, bags and plastic bottles tell us that there have been people there in recent times. Another agave fence is passed and it is easy to follow the path further. The Masca waterchannel that has been visible all the time is no longer visible, but the houses in Masca are visible and so is the tourist trail. The trail is pretty easy to find and to walk. The biggest challenge is vegetation with low branches that hide the path and make the journey difficult. At one point, one looks down on the little bridge on the tourist trail. Here the barranco branches out. A branch goes inward to the right (southward), and one goes straight ahead. The trail follows the barranco to the right. It goes further a few hundred meters and one expects to find a path down the barranco. I have repeatedly searched for this without success. I have therefore gone down to the tourist trail partly next to, and partly on a cliff leading right down to the opening of the upper Mascatunnel. This is a nasty trail of shrubs, cacti and loose rocks. The Upper Mascatunnel is followed to Barranco De Natero, where there are 2 options: 1. Walk down the path in barranco de Natero to canal de Natero and follow this to the clifftunnel and the cliffpath back to Los Gigantes. 2. Walk up to the white waterchannel and through the tunnel. Then there are 3 options: 1. Follow the white waterchannel to the next tunnel and through this to Tamaimo and Camino Rejal. Camino Rejal is followed down to Los Gigantes. 2. Follow the white waterchannel until the Tamaimotunnel is visible. Climb down to this and follow it over to Camino Rejal and go to Los Gigantes. 3. Follow dry riverbed down to the trail in Barranco Mancha de los Diaz. Follow the path to the clifftunnel, through to the cliffpath and back to Los Gigantes

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