The Tenerife mountain deceives even those who have hiked through the German Black Forest. Complicated orography, changing climate, and paths that in many cases lead nowhere. Do not trust before going out into such a unique and difficult nature; nothing better for that than consulting ‘Tenerife ON’, the free Internet resource that the Island Council makes available to all walkers, experts and novices alike.
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Tenerife ON, the official and free tool for planning leisure time in nature, created by the Island Council through the Natural, Sustainability, Safety and Emergencies area, celebrated its first year of service to citizens in March. It has more than 132,000 users on its website, while the app has exceeded 20,000 downloads. It offers over 180 routes, informative sheets about the 43 Protected Natural Spaces on the island, and a list of 44 available facilities.
Island Councillor Blanca Pérez points out that “it is a very useful and effective tool that allows us to be in direct contact with citizens”. She emphasizes that “in recent years there has been a growing demand for the use of public spaces by citizens and thanks to Tenerife ON we can keep them informed about the situation of the mountains”. She believes that the resource “is being perceived and becoming a useful tool for public service and citizen participation”. She values “the importance of using official and truthful information to safely enjoy the natural values of the Island”.
One of the highlighted features is the alerts and incidents section that notifies users almost in real-time about possible dangers, adverse weather conditions, or sections under construction that affect routes or facilities. In this sense, it should be noted that more than 60 entries are related to the major fire of 2023, warning about affected routes, areas that remain closed due to the risk of collapse or because they are in the process of recovery and construction.
Twelve trails closed today on the Island / José Domingo MéndezJosé Domingo Méndez
Blanca Pérez highlights the work of the department, stating that “the information is up to date and accurate, which has made this platform an essential resource for carrying out outdoor activities in a respectful manner with the environment”. Furthermore, she concludes, “in a safe way for those who hike, cycle, ride horses, or drive a vehicle“.
In Tenerife ON, there are more than 180 route options and trails throughout the Island accompanied by an interactive map to plan with the utmost safety, choose routes adapted to the appropriate level of difficulty, and the necessary provisions to avoid risks, as well as to respect the natural environment.
«The resource responds to the increasing demand to use public natural spaces»
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Among the data on the routes are the cumulative ascent and descent; the maximum and minimum altitude; the estimated duration; the distances to be covered or the elevation profile. It also indicates the connection with other routes and a summary of the flora and fauna that can be found along the way. The technical sheet of each itinerary specifies if it passes through any of the 43 Protected Natural Areas. Another safety element is the clothing adapted to the weather conditions. Tenerife ON shows a weather forecast that is constantly updated.
To plan outdoor activities, equipment is crucial, with over 40 visitor centres, recreational areas, campsites, and camping zones scattered throughout the Island.
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The platform includes a card with information on each one such as location, services, usage and maintenance tips, as well as the possible authorizations to request from the authorities.
Twelve trails closed today on the Island
Twelve of the approximately 80 trails in Tenerife are currently closed for various reasons. Among these are still the consequences of last summer’s forest fire, with a little over a month to go before the first anniversary of its start. All trails in the Teide National Park are open to the public. This is the list, although as required by works in the areas, temporary closures occur that change the list.
- Anaga-Chasna from La Esperanza
Improved Hiking Routes and Recreational Areas in Tenerife
- The reopening of the trail from La Caldera to El Portillo is scheduled for July and August.
- Las Raíces-Lomo La Jara, from Carretera TF-24 to Lomo La Jara, will be fully accessible this month.
- Las Lagunetas-Área Recreativa Hoya de Abade, from Carretera General TF 24 to the end of the route.
- Las Lagunetas-Los Nateros will be open entirely, except for the stretch overlapping with La Vica.
- Connection between Las Lagunetas-Hoya de Abade and Las Lagunetas-Los Nateros is expected to be accessible between July and August.
- La Caldera-Mamio-La Caldera, from the intersection with Camino Candelaria (Aguamansa-La Crucita section to Los Repelos).
- Casa del Agua-Pinolere.
- Ruta del Agua in its entirety.
- Llano de los Corrales-Pinolere.
- Camino a Candelaria in the Aguamansa-La Crucita section will be reopened shortly.
- Ladera de Tigaiga is closed between the Chanajiga recreational area and El Asomadero.
- Camino Punta del Risco.
Furthermore, the camping area in La Caldera and the recreational areas of Hoya de Abade, La Laguneta Chica, Las Calderetas, and Los Frailes are currently closed.
Additionally, eight routes for horseback riding and cycling, as well as ten forest tracks for motor vehicles, remain inaccessible. The closed biking and horseback riding routes include parts of Forestal del Norte and full closures of Las Calderetas, La Vica, Las Lagunetas, and La Lagunetilla Chica; Ramón Caminero in two sections, and Monte de La Esperanza through the El Fayal track.
The closed or partially closed forest tracks for motor vehicles are as follows: Siete Fuentes (Hoya de Abade); El Fayal; two sections of Pista del Rayo-Pista de Fondo; Hoya Mona; several closures past the Las Calderetas recreational area; Las Goteras; Chanajiga-Fuente Los Corchos; Pistas La Bermeja, Almagre, and Cabezón, along with the track starting from kilometer 26 of TF-24 (La Esperanza road) to Piedra de Los Pastores.
