The Cabildo of Tenerife has announced that from 00:00 this Saturday, access on foot to the paths within Teide National Park will be prohibited. This decision comes following the issuance of a wind alert by the Government of the Canary Islands.
In particular, the General Directorate of Emergencies, acting on the forecasts from Aemet and other reliable sources, declared the alert status this Friday morning due to winds affecting the island of Tenerife, in accordance with the Specific Emergency Plan for the Canary Islands concerning Adverse Meteorological Phenomena.
Rosa Dávila, the president of the Island Council, emphasises that this measure has been implemented “to ensure the safety of the public. In light of the wind alert situation, we have resolved to close the trails providing foot access to Teide as it is deemed unsafe to traverse these routes.”
According to Aemet, in the Cañadas del Teide and at elevations exceeding 1,800–2,000 metres, strong southerly and southwesterly winds are anticipated, averaging speeds of 50–80 km/h, with the potential for greater velocities on Pico del Teide, where gusts may reach or surpass 90 km/h.
The regulations established by the Tenerife Cabildo on November 30 address circumstances related to meteorological conditions. Thus, it is stipulated that in instances of official alerts concerning Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (AMP) issued by the Government of the Canary Islands, pursuant to the PEFMA (Prealert, Alert and Maximum Alert), access to the public will be prohibited to the affected trails of Teide National Park during ongoing declarations, which may include rain, snowfall, winds, and/or storms.
Specifically, the following trails will be affected:
Trail No. 7: Montaña Blanca-Pico Teide, covering the segment from the summit of Montaña Blanca to the junction of trails No. 7 and No. 11 at Mirador de La Fortaleza.
Trail No. 11: La Fortaleza Viewpoint.
Trail No. 10: Telesforo Bravo.
Trail No. 12: Pico Viejo Viewpoint.
Trail No. 23: Black Regatones.
Trail No. 28: Chafarí.
Trail No. 9: Teide – Pico Viejo – TF-38 road, specifically the section between the intersections of this trail with trails No. 38 (Cuevas Negras) and No. 12 (Mirador de Pico Viejo).
The Minister for Natural Environment, Sustainability, and Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, reminds individuals that non-compliance may result in a penalty of 600 euros.
On top of this fine, there may be additional rescue costs incurred by the Government of the Canary Islands or the Consortium for Prevention, Fire Extinction, and Rescue of the Island of Tenerife, which can vary between 2,000 and 12,000 euros.
Weather forecast for the weekend
Reports from the Tenerife Cabildo suggest that the emergence of an Atlantic storm to the west of the Canary Islands will bring about meteorological instability across the islands.
Initially, a moderate breeze from the south and southeast is anticipated, with strong gusts along the coast and intense winds in the midlands, high regions, and summits. There are chances of exceptionally strong gusts reaching or surpassing 80-90 km/h, and locally 100 km/h on the northern and western slopes, in the elevated areas and peaks of the islands under alert.
Additionally, moderate to strong winds from the east or southeast are expected, with potentially very strong gusts exceeding 60-70 km/h on the northern and western slopes, particularly in the elevated areas and peaks of the islands currently in pre-alert status.
