Masca - a hidden gem
Bus Routes: 483[Playa Americas Est], 416[Icod] to Santiago del Teide, 355[Buenevista] to Masca
Return: 355[Santiago del Teide], 416[Playa Americas Est], 843[El Medano] to Los Abrigos
Masca is a hidden jem reached by a narrow winding road, originally a goat track up and over the mountain from Santiago del Teide down to the village. The sea is some 3 hours walk away on a well trodden path running down either side of the gorge. Once you reach the sea you have a choice of a pre-arranged boat trip back to either Los Gigentes or Los Cristianos or you can turn around and take about 5 hours to walk back to the village as you are now travelling up hill. You need to be pretty fit as the path is rough and the temperature quite high but, I am told, well worth the effort as the scenery, flora and fauna are spectacular.
The village of Masca itself is spread out over about three sites around the hillside and has been there for centuries. It couldn't be more peaceful if you time it right so that you avoid the excursions. The birdsong, the overall peace and quiet and the beautiful flowers all make this a haven from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world however if you do decide to settle here there is no quick trip to the shops! Despite the small community the village still boasts a church, a square kept cool by an old tree and a stage for the usual fiestas. The paths and steps around the village are quite rough so not an ideal place for high heals. Looking around the terraces must have required much hard work to construct but emphasise how self sufficient the community was before the advent of the car and a metalled road.
I actually made this journey by car this time in company with my landlords, Jose Lois and Teresa on 'Mother's Day' in Spain and the Canaries. As we crested the mountain from Santiago del Teide the air was so clear that we could actually see the three off shore islands of El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma which is most unusual as there is usually a cloud base. The journey down the winding road to the village is spectacular in itself with dramatic volcanic plugs and crevices leading down to the sea. Parking is in an are at the top of the village though some of the locals do drive down to their villas but there is no way out so be prepared for a tricky U-turn! I am told that many of the villas are two story but built down the side of the slopes so that there is only one wall with doors and windows facing out across the valleys. Many only have one room on each floor and have an open flat roof resembling a paddling pool, I wondered if they ever filled them with water to cool off. There are lush deciduous trees alongside flowering cacti, much better than I could every get in the UK. Visitors have carved their names on the leaves to become part of the history of the area. Perhaps I shall return with my desert boots and give the trail a go otherwise just sitting in the caffe enjoying the view is a pleasant day out too!
Return: 355[Santiago del Teide], 416[Playa Americas Est], 843[El Medano] to Los Abrigos
Masca is a hidden jem reached by a narrow winding road, originally a goat track up and over the mountain from Santiago del Teide down to the village. The sea is some 3 hours walk away on a well trodden path running down either side of the gorge. Once you reach the sea you have a choice of a pre-arranged boat trip back to either Los Gigentes or Los Cristianos or you can turn around and take about 5 hours to walk back to the village as you are now travelling up hill. You need to be pretty fit as the path is rough and the temperature quite high but, I am told, well worth the effort as the scenery, flora and fauna are spectacular.
The village of Masca itself is spread out over about three sites around the hillside and has been there for centuries. It couldn't be more peaceful if you time it right so that you avoid the excursions. The birdsong, the overall peace and quiet and the beautiful flowers all make this a haven from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world however if you do decide to settle here there is no quick trip to the shops! Despite the small community the village still boasts a church, a square kept cool by an old tree and a stage for the usual fiestas. The paths and steps around the village are quite rough so not an ideal place for high heals. Looking around the terraces must have required much hard work to construct but emphasise how self sufficient the community was before the advent of the car and a metalled road.
I actually made this journey by car this time in company with my landlords, Jose Lois and Teresa on 'Mother's Day' in Spain and the Canaries. As we crested the mountain from Santiago del Teide the air was so clear that we could actually see the three off shore islands of El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma which is most unusual as there is usually a cloud base. The journey down the winding road to the village is spectacular in itself with dramatic volcanic plugs and crevices leading down to the sea. Parking is in an are at the top of the village though some of the locals do drive down to their villas but there is no way out so be prepared for a tricky U-turn! I am told that many of the villas are two story but built down the side of the slopes so that there is only one wall with doors and windows facing out across the valleys. Many only have one room on each floor and have an open flat roof resembling a paddling pool, I wondered if they ever filled them with water to cool off. There are lush deciduous trees alongside flowering cacti, much better than I could every get in the UK. Visitors have carved their names on the leaves to become part of the history of the area. Perhaps I shall return with my desert boots and give the trail a go otherwise just sitting in the caffe enjoying the view is a pleasant day out too!
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