Most people don’t picture a canyon full of running water in the middle of the south of the island. But there’s a valley where you go down waterfalls, slide through natural rocks, and jump into hidden pools. Barranco de los Carrizales is one of those routes that completely breaks the idea that the south is only sand and sunscreen. Out here, the adventure is real.
Before we get into it: this isn’t a “show up and figure it out” kind of activity. Canyoning at Los Carrizales involves rope work, exposed scrambling, and a valley that requires an official permit to enter (which normally requires being acquired weeks before the activity), so this is a guided-only experience, and a reasonable level of fitness is required. With that said, if you’ve got the legs for it, this is hands down one of the most fun full days you can have in Tenerife.
1. Where You'll Be Going
The canyon sits between Masca and Teno, in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, in the southwest of the island. The meeting point is here, in Los Carrizales, which is the name of the bamboo-like plants you’ll see along the entire canyoning, and you’ll want to be there by 9:30 AM. If you’re staying in the south, it takes around an hour of driving to get there.
2. Important info
Total Distance: 8 km
400 meters of elevation gain and loss
Max Group Number: 6 People
Included Material:
✔️ Helmet
✔️ Harness
✔️ Waterproof Backpack
✔️ Wetsuit (optional)
✔️ Waterproof Shoes
3. What's Actually Down There
9 descents
Up to 15 meters
The valley has 9 descents , the tallest one dropping 15 meters, plus a series of natural slides and jumps along the way (those are optional, ranging from 2 to 6 meters — if you’d rather not jump, you can always rope down instead).
There’s also a 10-meter natural slide that locals have nicknamed the “kamikaze,” Yes, same as Siam Parks’ one, except this one is carved entirely out of rock.
Add in a handful of hidden pools and scenery that genuinely feels like it belongs on a different island, and you’ll understand why this is considered one of the best canyons in Tenerife.
4. Duration
This is where people tend to underestimate things. The canyon itself covers roughly 8 km with 400 meters of elevation gain and loss, and once you add the drive there and back, you’re looking at a full day out:
- Around 1 hour driving from the south to the meeting point
- 9:30 arrival, 10:00 gear-up, briefing, and departure into the canyon
- Roughly 3.5 to 4 hours descending, sliding, and abseiling through the canyon
- A 30-minute break at the bottom to eat and recover
- About 2 hours hiking back up to the cars (yes, uphill)
- Around 16:30 back at the cars, then another hour or so driving home
So while the “activity” lasts 6-7 hours, count on roughly 9 hours door to door if you’re coming from the south. And don’t underestimate that return hike — it follows a wild, exposed trail that, in its own way, is just as thrilling as the canyon itself.
