Masca only accessible by bus is a goal of the island government to reduce traffic to and from this popular site.
That is why access to the Masca Gorge will only be possible via shuttle bus. This measure will be implemented starting Good Friday, i.e., April 18, 2025. The aim is to reduce the number of vehicles in the area, improving overall mobility in the surroundings. A mandatory shuttle service, in cooperation with the municipalities of Buenavista and Santiago del Teide, will be established for anyone who wants to access the Masca Gorge. For clarity: Masca only accessible by bus does not yet apply — at least not at this stage — to those driving to the village simply to visit the hamlet.
Shuttle Bus
To make this project successful, a parking area will be set up in the center of Santiago del Teide, where visitors can leave their vehicles and continue the journey by shuttle bus. This was officially announced during a press conference.
Residents of Masca had long been asking for a solution to the mobility problem in the region, as they were dealing with daily traffic jams and safety issues caused by inadequate infrastructure, while Masca increasingly resembled a tourist amusement park.
The president of the island government — Cabildo de Tenerife — explained that the new measure is in line with the already implemented ecotax. Now, a fee will also be charged for the shuttle service. Tickets can only be purchased through the official website caminobarrancodemasca.com, and the transport fee will be added to the ticket price for access to the Masca gorge.
Visiting Hours
According to the Cabildo, the shuttle service (with a capacity of 18 people per bus) will operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays — the only days the gorge is open to the public — from 07:00 to 14:00, with departures every 20 minutes from the meeting point in Santiago del Teide, specifically at the Titsa stop next to the town hall. A parking area has been set up near the cemetery where visitors can leave their cars.
Ticket Prices
Prices vary depending on the visitor’s place of residence.
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Residents of Tenerife (adults and children): free access and free shuttle.
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Residents of other Canary Islands: adults pay €3 for access and €4 for the bus; children pay €1.50 and €2, respectively.
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Non-residents: adults pay €28 for access plus €10 for the bus; children pay €14 plus €5 for the bus ticket.
Visitors who do not use the shuttle service are not allowed to hike through the Masca Gorge.
Fewer Vehicles
Everyone wishing to hike down the Masca Gorge must present a stamped ticket proving they used the shuttle bus for the journey. It’s worth noting that the nature area is limited to 275 people per day, over the three days it is open for visits.
In previous years, around 100,000 people per year visited the Masca Gorge. With these measures, the number has been reduced to under 50,000 visitors per year.
In addition, Dávila expects that this shuttle service will result in 100 to 120 fewer cars per day parked in Masca, since visitors are obligated to use public transport.
One-Way Traffic
This regulation plan is the first of its kind on Tenerife and will serve as a model for other areas such as Anaga or Teide National Park, once jurisdictional transfers are formally arranged. The approach is responsible, taken step by step, and follows a clear strategy: protecting the territory, improving the lives of local residents, and offering sustainable tourism.
In addition, the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) is working on a one-way traffic system for all buses entering and leaving the hamlet, to avoid traffic jams caused by oncoming vehicles.
Access would then follow the route from Buenavista to Masca, with the exit toward Santiago del Teide. This proposal is the result of consultation with municipalities and residents, and aligns with the decision to use smaller tourist buses. Once formal approval from the DGT is obtained, further decisions regarding rates, parking, and regulated services will follow.
Rental Cars
The DGT has also been asked to establish police surveillance, especially at critical points such as viewpoints and parking areas. Additionally, an assessment is underway to improve and renovate the road surface of the TF-28.
Regarding pull-over zones, an in-depth study is needed since the road is currently not suitable, and expropriation may be required. When asked about possible future measures such as limiting rental cars in Masca, Rosa Dávila stated that the government is currently focusing on improving the situation with the measures already taken, which will be evaluated. According to her, this is not yet on the table, but if it becomes necessary, it will be done in consultation with residents and sectors involved.
Bram Vermote © Photography
Masca only accessible by bus ©
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