Barranco de Icor

Barranco de Icor is a ravine in the upper part of the Arico municipality in Tenerife, running close to the small hamlet of Icor, which sits at an altitude of roughly 330 metres, about twelve kilometres from Arico's town centre. The ravine itself has kept a raw, largely untouched character and today is known mainly as a canyoning route rather than a conventional walking trail.

What does the ravine look like inside?

The riverbed hides numerous caves, natural rock slides and formations shaped by water over long stretches of time. It's precisely this variety of terrain that draws canyoning enthusiasts — a sport that involves descending a ravine using ropes, rappels and by working through natural water obstacles along the way. The route is linear, meaning participants move down the riverbed from the starting point to the end without doubling back.

What does the canyoning route involve?

The starting point is the Las Eras area, where it's customary to leave one vehicle near the last houses, closer to the TF-1 highway (which connects to the TF-622). Once inside the riverbed, the route crosses a steep section before passing beneath a natural rock arch on the upper left side of the ravine. Further along comes the first rope descent, roughly 29 metres long. The most demanding part of the whole route, however, is negotiating the largest waterfall, around 44 metres high — it's this feature that sets the descent's overall difficulty at a medium level.

Given the distance involved and the climate of southern Tenerife, working through Barranco de Icor can be tiring, especially on hot days. Because of that, the activity is best suited to people with at least basic fitness and technical preparation, ideally accompanied by an experienced guide.

What's worth knowing about the hamlet of Icor itself?

Icor, the hamlet that lends the ravine its name, stands out for having kept essentially the same character since the 16th century. Its buildings are traditional two-storey Canarian houses, representing the simple rural architecture typical of Tenerife's higher-altitude settlements. That historical core is part of why Icor is often mentioned as worth a visit on its own, separate from any activity in the ravine.

How to get there and what else is nearby?

The area around Icor serves as a starting point for several hiking trails marked as PR-TF routes, leading to local viewpoints and recreational areas. For anyone looking to unwind after time in the ravine, closer to the coast within the Arico municipality are the beaches of Las Eras, El Abrigo, El Porís and Playa Grande.

Frequently asked questions

Is Barranco de Icor suitable for beginners? The route is considered of medium technical difficulty, mainly due to its tall rappels, including a 44-metre waterfall — it calls for basic preparation and is best attempted with an experienced person or canyoning operator.

Can the ravine be entered without canyoning gear? Given the rope descents and tall rock steps along the riverbed, safely completing the full route requires specialised safety equipment.

What's located near Barranco de Icor? The historic hamlet of Icor, with buildings dating back to the 16th century, along with a network of PR-TF hiking trails in the higher parts of the Arico municipality.