Tenerife Launches Youth Conservation Program to Protect Masca Ravine
The Tenerife Island Council is launching a new educational program, "Masca and Youth," to promote responsible tourism and environmental conservation among young people in the Teno Rural Park.
Managing protected natural spaces in the Canary Islands is shifting toward a new approach that combines education with visitor regulation to better protect the environment. The Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo de Tenerife) is launching a new program on September 26th called "Masca and Youth: Walk, Learn, and Conserve," aimed at teaching young people how to enjoy one of Tenerife’s most unique and vulnerable areas responsibly.
Running until December 12th, the program invites 600 people aged 16 to 35 to participate in more than just a hike. Over 12 sessions, participants will explore Teno Rural Park through a mix of environmental education, citizen science, and volunteer work. This initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce human impact in fragile ecosystems, moving away from mass tourism and toward a more respectful, conscious connection with the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
The route begins in the village of Masca and ends at the cove, where participants will take a boat back to Los Gigantes. Because the five-kilometer trek involves a steep 750-meter descent and takes about four hours, it requires good physical fitness and strict adherence to safety and equipment rules. To ensure the area is well-managed, the program is limited to two groups of 25 people per week, allowing for close supervision by experts in sustainability, security, and youth services.
More than just a physical challenge, the project is designed to raise awareness. Local authorities hope to teach young people about the risks and best practices for visiting protected areas, with all sessions subject to weather and sea conditions. By involving participants in conservation efforts, the Cabildo aims to turn the ravine descent into a learning experience that highlights the fragility of island ecosystems and the shared responsibility of protecting them for the future.