Table of contents
- 1.0Monumento Natural de Los Derriscados – Barranco de las Monjas
- 2.0Walking in the Barranco de las Monjas: Arizona Atmosphere on Tenerife
- 3.0General Information about the Circular Walk Barranco de las Monjas
- 4.0Circular Walk Barranco de las Monjas
- 4.1Route Section: Car Park at the TF-1 Slip Road to the Track Junction
- 4.2Route Section: Track Junction to the Central Path of the Barranco de las Monjas
- 4.3Route Section: Central Path to the Descent into the Barranco de las Monjas
- 4.4Route Section: Through the Barranco with Detour to the Sandstone Hills
- 4.5Final Section: From the Sandstone Detour Back to the Starting Point
- 5.0And finally
Monumento Natural de Los Derriscados – Barranco de las Monjas
In the east of Tenerife, along the coast near Granadilla de Abona, lies a landscape you would hardly expect to find in the Canary Islands at first glance: the Barranco de las Monjas. Here, tuff-like rock formations and sandstone-style cliffs shape a scenery that glows in intense reds and yellows in the sunshine, reminiscent of the canyons of Arizona. Far from dense forests and tourist crowds, the protected area known as the Monumento Natural de Los Derriscados reveals a landscape where wind and water have sculpted remarkable forms over thousands of years.
Map
The walk follows narrow paths along the steep sides of the barranco, passing hidden niches and bizarre rock formations. Time and again, spectacular views of the coastline open up, making every step worthwhile. Anyone who takes this route discovers a side of Tenerife that is rugged, unspoilt and surprisingly beautiful – a small natural adventure that is easily reached from the coast.
Barranco de las Monjas – sandstone slopes on the way back from the hike
Walking in the Barranco de las Monjas: Arizona Atmosphere on Tenerife
The walk into the Barranco de las Monjas begins right beside the TF-1 motorway in the east of Tenerife near Granadilla de Abona. It quickly leads you away from the road and onto sandy tracks that circle the Monumento Natural de Los Derriscados. Initially, you walk along the heights on the right-hand side and then continue for quite some time through a gorge along the right side of the Barranco de las Monjas. Eventually, from the north-westernmost point of the route, you descend into the ravine itself.
Impressive rock formations in Barranco de las Monjas
For those keen to explore further, there is a small extension to the very end of the gorge. Otherwise, the route leads gradually back through the stream bed and along its sides, through an impressive landscape of natural stone sculptures. Shortly before the end of the walk, there is another short detour for those who enjoy discovering hidden gems. Away from the main path, you will find particularly striking rock formations that make excellent photographic subjects.
Track of the Barranco de las Monjas hike with excursion into the Barranco (red)
General Information about the Circular Walk Barranco de las Monjas
Starting Point and Directions
The starting point of the walk is motorway exit no. 50 on the TF-1. Take the slip road that leads back towards Los Cristianos. Within the curve of this access road, a small road branches off to the left. The walk begins there.
Arriving by Car
From either direction, take the TF-1 to exit 50 near Granadilla de Abona. Follow the slip road towards Los Cristianos. A small road branches off to the left. Follow this for only a few metres and you can park your vehicle immediately on the left-hand side of the road. There is ample parking space available.
Arriving by Bus
A bus stop is located directly at the starting point. Titsa bus lines 111, 114 and 711 stop there. Further details and up-to-date information can be found on the Titsa website.
Time
As walking times vary greatly depending on pace and breaks, general time estimates can be misleading. We took approximately four hours for this leisurely circular walk, including all extensions and rest stops.und Anfahrt
Elevation profile of the Barranco de las Monjas hike with detour on the way back
Ascent and Distance
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Sign up nowThe total ascent is between 250 and 320 metres. The distance is approximately 9 to 10.5 kilometres, depending on the chosen variations.
Elevation profile of the Barranco de las Monjas hike with Barranco extension
Difficulty
For most of the route, you walk along fairly good hiking or vehicle tracks, occasionally through the barranco bed and on narrow sandy paths. Only if you venture further into the rear section of the Barranco de las Monjas will you need to scramble over large rocks and through dense scrub.
Barranco de las Monjas – small rock caves along the way
Refreshments
There are no refreshment facilities along the entire route. Be sure to bring sufficient water and, if necessary, food supplies.
Track of the Barranco de las Monjas hike and neighbouring coastal hikes on SiebenInseln, such as Montaña Pelada, Arco de Tajao and Abades Runde
Variants
The walk offers many opportunities for variation, as numerous small paths branch off within the Barranco de las Monjas. To admire the sculptural rock formations, you can simply make a short detour into the gorge or spend the entire day exploring its many paths. Shortly before the end of the walk, there is another excursion into an impressive side valley. If you follow this path straight ahead, you will rejoin the outward route, allowing you to turn the walk into a figure-of-eight.
Track showing the detour and a connection to make a figure eight out of the hike
To shorten the walk, turn left at the first major fork and follow the vehicle track straight up through the barranco.
On SiebenInseln, you will also find the following nearby walks:
Sandstone slopes in Barranco de las Monjas
Circular Walk Barranco de las Monjas
Route Section: Car Park at the TF-1 Slip Road to the Track Junction
You start your hike in Barranco de las Monjas on the small road next to the TF-1 motorway. For a more comfortable start, simply continue along the road for a while (see red track). For a shorter and slightly wilder route, follow a small path up the mountain. This path takes you slightly uphill along a ridge trail with the first beautiful views to the left of Barranco de la Mula/Barranquillo Lomito.el Conejo. The road runs below you on the right. Now you have a few options: you can scramble over the first white rocks (see red track) or follow the road (green track).
Hiking group on the road in Barranco de las Monjas
You can see that I have tried both. Whichever you choose, stay on the right side of the slope and parallel to or directly on the track. After a while, both paths will take you to the track, which you follow for quite some time. It runs along the right side of the Monumento Natural de Los Derriscados. Eventually, you will come to a fork in the road. Here, you can follow the path on the left if you want to take a shortcut and follow an easy road. This path leads through the middle of the nature reserve. It is more interesting, but also a little further, to follow the path on the right.
Hikers in Barranco de las Monjas - hiking trail in the gorge
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Sign up nowRoute Section: Track Junction to the Central Path of the Barranco de las Monjas
Follow the vehicle track to the right for a short distance. The path then crosses the barranco to the right. If you prefer not to scramble in the ravine, take the path that runs parallel along the slope. Eventually, it meets a broader path on the left side of the small gorge. Follow this in a wide arc to the left in front of an impressive sandstone hill. For a short while, the route becomes less clear. The path runs along the left side of the barranco, and you will need to find a suitable place to cross the small gorge to the right. For a while, the path continues on the right above the barranco, offering several options.
Hikers in Barranco de las Monjas - every now and then you have to scramble a little
Ultimately, all paths lead down into the barranco itself. From here, the route climbs gently for some time. You follow several bends of the small gorge and, if there has recently been rain, walk through greenery in the stream bed. You will also step over a rusty pipe. The path then rejoins a broader white track, which leads more steeply uphill to the left around a large white sandstone hill. Shortly afterwards, you reach a wide vehicle track – the central route through the barranco that you would have taken had you turned left at the earlier fork.
At the highest point of the hike with a view of the Cañadas
Route Section: Central Path to the Descent into the Barranco de las Monjas
At the highest point of the walk, you may climb a little further up to the left or continue slightly uphill along the track to enjoy the panoramic views. From here, you overlook not only the Barranco de las Monjas but also have expansive views towards the Cañadas. On the opposite side of the vehicle track, a path descends straight down into the Barranco de las Monjas. Although the descent is slightly steep in places, it offers wonderful views. Once at the bottom of the gorge, the path continues on the other side.
Start of the descent from the road into Barranco de las Monjas
Explorers may wish to take a detour to the right, deeper into the ravine. This involves scrambling over rocks and through bushes. Eventually, you reach the end of the gorge with a large cave, though it may be overgrown. With or without this detour, the return leads back through the Barranco de las Monjas. The route is clearer here than on the outward journey. Initially, you walk to the right of the stream bed, occasionally entering it, before briefly continuing along the left side of the gorge.
Hikers on the descent into Barranco de las Monjas
Route Section: Through the Barranco with Detour to the Sandstone Hills
Continue following the bends of the gorge downhill, enjoying stone sculptures, caves and later views of the sea. Gradually, the gorge widens. To your left, you will see large white sandstone hills. Here, you may take another worthwhile detour. Leave the main path to the left and climb steeply up a sandy slope. A path then runs left in front of the sandstone hills before branching up to the right.
Extension: Walk into the pathless Barranco de las Monjas to the end - cave with rock arch
This detour is highly recommended. From above, you have magnificent views of the Barranco de las Monjas as well as enormous sandstone formations with impressive natural sculptures. It truly feels like Arizona. If you were to continue descending, you would rejoin the ascent path, offering a possible shortcut. For the full circular route, however, return to the main path.
View from above of the Barranco de las Monjas
Final Section: From the Sandstone Detour Back to the Starting Point
Back on the main path, continue downhill for a short while. Soon, two paths branch off to the left in succession. Head towards the left side of the barranco, walking up along the rock face. You gain a little more height. Below you on the right, you will see a large cave. Shortly afterwards, you reach a broad vehicle track, which you follow uphill to the left.
Road junction at the top with the option of crossing to the exit path
At the top, you once again have several options. You may follow the road straight ahead, which leads back to the starting point in a wide curve. Alternatively, cross the ridge directly and descend straight back to the starting point via one of several possible paths.
Hikers on the final ascent on the way back
And finally
I hope you enjoy this peaceful walk in the Barranco de las Monjas with its Arizona atmosphere and many sandstone sculptures. Whether you choose this walk or one of the many other beautiful routes on Tenerife, I wish you every enjoyment on your explorations.
Dagmar from SiebenInseln
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