Barranco del Infierno guided tour or standard ticket: which one should you choose?

Quick answer: at Barranco del Infierno (Adeje, South Tenerife) you can enter with a standard ticket and walk the trail at your own pace, or book the guided tour (€39 per person), where a companion interprets the route for you: history, legends, flora and fauna. Both options follow the same trail of about 6.5 km there and back, take around 3 hours and include the mandatory helmet. The difference is how you experience it.

If you are planning your hike and can’t decide between the two, this guide explains what each option includes, who it suits best and what to keep in mind before booking.

What is Barranco del Infierno and why do you need to book?

Barranco del Infierno is a Special Nature Reserve in Adeje, in the south of Tenerife. The trail starts at around 350 m above sea level, at the top of Calle de los Molinos, and follows the old shepherds’ path up to about 600 m, alongside the ravine bed and its waterfall. 456 species of flora and fauna have been recorded in the reserve, many of them endemic to the Canary Islands.

To protect this area, capacity is limited to 20 people every 30 minutes. So whether you choose a standard ticket or a guided tour, it is best to book in advance, especially in the winter season.

Standard ticket: walk the trail at your own pace

The standard ticket is the classic option for visitors who prefer to walk on their own, stop wherever they like and set their own rhythm.

Includes:

• Controlled access to the Special Nature Reserve.
• Signposted trail with points of interest.
• Accident insurance.
• Safety briefing and rules of use.
• Helmet (mandatory throughout the route).

Ideal if… you hike regularly, you’re with a group that wants to go at its own pace, or you’re mainly after the walk and the photo at the waterfall.

Guided tour: discover what you’d miss on your own

On the Barranco del Infierno guided tour you walk the same trail, but with someone who interprets the landscape with you. It’s the best way to understand why this ravine is so special: its pastoral past, the old mill, local legends and vegetation that changes with altitude, from the cardón and tabaiba scrub (Canarian spurges) at the bottom to the remains of thermophilous forest with dragon trees and mastic trees.

Includes:

• A companion interpreting the route throughout the hike.
• Helmet.
• Permits and trail access.
• Small groups and support at all times.

Price: €39 per person. Duration: about 3 hours.

Ideal if… it’s your first time at the ravine, you’re travelling with curious children, you’re interested in nature and Canarian culture, or you simply prefer to be accompanied and relax.

Comparison: guided tour vs standard ticket

What you need to know, whichever option you choose

• Minimum age: children under 5 are not allowed (not even in baby carriers). Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.
• Closed footwear is mandatory: flip-flops and sandals are not allowed, including hiking sandals.
• Helmet at all times: handed out at the meeting point.
• No pets: animals are not allowed, to protect the flora and fauna.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your entry time.
• Opening hours: in summer (1 June – 15 September) access is from 8:00 to 10:30; in winter (16 September – 31 May) access is extended until 11:30. Always check the latest times on The Trail page.
• Cancellations: you can change the date or request a refund with more than 72 hours’ notice.

For packing tips, check our FAQs.

Our recommendation

If it’s your first visit, go for the guided tour: the trail is the same, but you’ll understand it in a different way and take home stories you won’t find on any sign. If you already know the ravine or want a free-paced hike, the standard ticket is perfect. Either way, places are limited: book your visit to Barranco del Infierno in advance.

Frequently asked questions