The tour of the channel of the Masca ravine has been in operation since March, “But the experience cannot be completed with the exit to the sea because the pier is still closed,” explains García. The reform of this small berth is “essential”, in the opinion of the insular councilor, “and for this reason the Cabildo has opened a bidding process for the execution of these works to offer the possibility of going out to walkers by sea and not having than to go back up the ravine ». The roundtrip route is very tough and requires good fitness.
The improvement of this maritime infrastructure “will expand the possibilities in the active tourism sector and will allow companies traveling by sea to resume their activity from Masca beach to the south of the island,” says Isabel García, who details that the adaptation and improvement of the jetty contemplates its extension to an area of 114 square meters, “from the existing rock, placing a vertical concrete facing, as well as the expansion of the rocky platform by means of precast reinforced concrete pieces.” In addition, the current walkway will be demolished, replacing it with another lightweight structure.
An “essential” structure
Six months ago, the president of the Tenerife Council, Pedro Martin (PSOE), described as “essential” the execution of the work of the jetty that now goes out to tender and, in addition, announced that it was working on the creation of a second docking point, in Punta de Teno, so that hikers can decide in the future if they leave the ravine to the South or North. This infrastructure is still in a planning phase. Once the new Masca pier has been built, its management will remain in the hands of the Buenavista City Council, which is also waiting for the new maritime connection with Isla Baja, in the La Ballenita area.
Martin then said that the complementary Teno pier will be «a project that respects that space, which will avoid occupying areas that are not strictly necessary and whose main objective will be to generate an alternative for economic and leisure activity for the northwest of Tenerife ”. The mayor of Buenavista, Antonio González Fortes (SSP), underlined the importance of the Masca trail and jetty for his municipality, which are part of “a different model of management and enjoyment of nature.” A tourist proposal that now awaits a second pier in Punta de Teno to be able to close the circle.
Closed since February 2018
The harrowing rescue of eight German hikers who were trapped in the middle of a serious storm on the beach at the mouth of the Masca ravine on February 25, 2018 was the trigger for the closure of the pier, which will be four years old in February 2022. Years Accidents, evacuations, injuries and several fatalities led the then mayor of Buenavista del Norte, Eva García (PSOE), to sign the decree that ordered the closure of the ravine path and prohibited the use of the old pier. The ravine was reopened, in a limited and controlled manner, in March 2021. If the deadlines are met, the new jetty could be available from the summer of 2022.
