The Cabildo de Tenerife proceeded yesterday to place fences on the perimeter of the Camino del Socorro that runs alongside the Montaña Grande. The purpose of this measure is to enforce current regulations and prevent the pilgrims who today participate in the Bajada del Socorro from accessing this volcanic cone located in the protected natural area of Malpaís de Güímar.
The action, developed yesterday, has as detractors those who defend that going up and down the mountain is part of the tradition of the Bajada del Socorro. However, it is an action prohibited by the Cabildo de Tenerife for a decade, considering that it generates an impact on one of the most unique protected areas of the island territory. Environment staff will be present today in the area to inform pilgrims of the ban.
The Bajada del Socorro will run this morning along its traditional route. The City Council delivered basil plants and banners typical of the festival in the houses that are on the route of the oldest pilgrimage on the Island, as well as those that make up the village of El Socorro.
The mayor, Gustavo Pérez, is satisfied with the security device designed for the return to normality of this sample of the güimarera traditions, to the point that a distance is established between floats and their stop will be avoided in the section from El Calvario to the southern highway.
The image of the Virgen del Socorro will leave the church of San Pedro around seven in the morning and will be accompanied in a procession to the hermitage of Calvario, where the Descent along the Camino del Socorro begins. The arrival at the hermitage of the farmhouse is scheduled for after 11:00.
