Cruz de Hilda climb via Masca
By bicis.net community · One way
In short: Climb of 20.7 km and +1,224 m from Buenavista del Norte (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), at 5.9 % on average up to 1,058 m. It's very hard and takes about 2 h 35 to climb; its hardest kilometre is at 13 % and it's almost all on tarmac.
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Add to my calendar- Distance
- 20.7 km
- Elevation gain
- +1,224 m
- Max altitude
- 1,058 m
- Hardest km
- 13.0 %
- Difficulty
- Very hard
- Estimated time
- 2 h 35 min
4 water fountains within 250 m of the route, according to OpenStreetMap. Cycling map
Profile
Run your finger or mouse over the profile to see each point on the map.
Surface
Tarmac 100 % Track 0 % Trail 0 %
Almost all tarmac: ideal for a road bike. Measured on OpenStreetMap; there may be recent changes on the ground.
The route
Where it goes
You set off from the Buenavista del Norte area and head into the Teno massif on the TF-436. The first part climbs towards El Palmar, a valley of terraced fields, and crosses the top before launching you down towards Masca on a descent of tight bends. Don't get carried away on the descent: what you go down here you'll climb again afterwards, and steeper.
Where it bites
The route adds up to 20.7 km and 1,224 m of elevation, at an average of 5.9 %, but the average is misleading. From the hamlet of Masca the road claws its way up in hairpins, with short, very steep ramps: the hardest kilometre is at 13 %. It finishes at the Cruz de Hilda viewpoint, at about 1,058 m, above Santiago del Teide. Use a very low gear and don't spend everything on the first bends.
Where to stop
El Palmar and Masca have bars for water and coffee. Stop in Masca before the hard part: at the top there's only the viewpoint.
When to go
From October to May, and best first thing. In summer the southern side of Teno gets very hot. The road is narrow, with no hard shoulder and a wall or ravine on one side, and by mid-morning buses and visitors' cars are coming up: ride in single file, with a rear light, and let traffic pass at the passing places.
Getting there and parking
Tenerife has no train apart from the tram in Santa Cruz and La Laguna, so the practical option is the car. Park in Buenavista del Norte, where there's room and services. For more climbs on the island, see the Canary Islands routes.
Sources for this text: Turismo de Tenerife · Ayuntamiento de Buenavista del Norte · OpenStreetMap
Track based on OpenStreetMap (CIMA climb SC11, plotted point by point along its roads) (ODbL).
Frequently asked questions
- How hard is the climb to Cruz de Hilda via Masca?
- It's 20.7 km with 1,224 m of elevation and an average of 5.9 %, but the stretch from Masca has short, very steep ramps: the hardest kilometre is at 13 %.
- Are there places to stop for water?
- Yes, El Palmar and Masca have bars. At the top, at the Cruz de Hilda viewpoint, there are no services.
- Is the Masca road dangerous by bike?
- It's narrow, with no hard shoulder and lots of visitor traffic by mid-morning. Climb early, in single file and with a rear light.
- What's the best time of year to climb via Masca?
- From October to May, first thing in the morning. In summer the south of Teno is very hot.
Before you set off, check the state of the road or track and follow the traffic rules. Enjoy the ride.
Comments
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