Barranco del Infierno (Hell's Gorge)

The Barranco del Infierno — Hell's Gorge — trail descends into one of Tenerife's most dramatic volcanic ravines, following the floor of a steep-sided gorge through dense subtropical vegetation to a seasonal waterfall deep in the canyon interior. Located near the hillside town of Adeje on Tenerife's sun-drenched southwest coast, the barranco is a protected natural space and one of the island's most popular day hikes thanks to its proximity to the major resort areas of Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas. Access is from the centre of Adeje town via Calle La Fuente, where the official entrance gate is located. Adeje is reachable by bus (line 473 from Playa de las Américas) and by taxi from the coastal resorts. Admission and booking are mandatory: a daily visitor cap of 300 persons applies, with reservations required in advance through the Ayuntamiento de Adeje website. An entrance fee of approximately €8–10 per adult is charged and includes compulsory third-party insurance. The trail covers approximately 10 kilometres round trip with around 400 metres of elevation gain, following the gorge floor on a maintained path. The surface is a mix of compacted earth, loose rock, and rock-hopping sections where the seasonal stream crosses the path. Shade is abundant from the gorge's dense vegetation — Canarian date palms, dragon trees, and subtropical scrub press in from both sides. The climate inside the gorge is noticeably cooler and more humid than the surrounding coast. The main objective is the waterfall at the end of the gorge, which flows most reliably between November and May after winter rains. During dry summer months the falls may reduce to a trickle or disappear entirely. Several smaller cascades and pools lower in the gorge provide picturesque rest stops before the main waterfall.