Santiago del Teide to Masca Walk

Note that we took the wrong path at the beginning so struggled quite a bit to connect with regular path. Ensure you get it right from Santiago. From this location: 28°18′10.88″N 16°48′59.09″W (28.303022, -16.816413). From the right-hand bend in the road, the trail veers left.

The first stretch of this hike is marked by a nearly 400-meter ascent to Degollada de la Mesa, the col between Big and Little Gala. From the col, you can take a small detour to the top of Little Gala, aka Pico Verde (highly recommended). From Pico Verde, you’ll have a birds-eye view of Masca and the serpentine TF-436. Phenomenal!

Retrace your steps to the col and continue onto PR TF 51. The trail slowly descends, following a ridge trail and then a laurisilva forest trail all the way to the PR – TF 51 / 59 intersection. Turn left onto PR – TF 59 and descend 1.3 km to the viewpoint Mirador de Cruz de Hilda. This stretch of trail is freakin GORGEOUS. As you take in the primordial beauty of the Teno Mountains, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into some ancient kingdom tucked away from the “real world.”

After enjoying the view and a beverage (if the café is open) at the Mirador, continue following the narrow road that forks left (PR-TF 59) to the hamlet El Turrón. You’ll pass by terraced farmland and palm trees and you’ll start thinking about how you can live here. From El Turrón, cautiously follow the main road (TF-436) into Masca.

There are a few places to eat in Masca, including La Fuente, which is directly on the road. To get back to Santiago del Teide, take shuttle bus Linea 355, operated by titsa bus. Buses aren’t very frequent, so we highly recommend timing your hike accordingly. Bus tickets are 1.50 EUR per person.

Source

https://www.moonhoneytravel.com/hiking-macizo-de-teno-mountains-tenerife/