The Cabildo of Tenerife is set to reopen the Altavista Refuge, situated within Teide National Park, in 2025, following its closure in 2020. The Government Council has today (Friday the 27th) sanctioned the tender for the renovation and rehabilitation of the Altavista Refuge, along with the establishment of a treatment plant, amounting to approximately 1.5 million euros, with a projected completion time of five months post-award.
The president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, remarks that “we have given the green light to the tender for the reform and rehabilitation of the iconic Altavista Refuge, located at an elevation of 3,260 metres in Teide National Park. This is a strategic initiative to ensure both the safety of individuals and the preservation of the environment.”
“The restoration of this site for mountaineers has been a top priority for this administration, engaging in a significant process of reform and rehabilitation to modernise its facilities with a focus on sustainability and safety for users,” states Dávila. Beyond the restoration of the structure, the project will also involve the installation of an ecological treatment facility, a photovoltaic system, and enhancements in energy efficiency including appropriate thermal insulation.
Altavista Refuge, in Teide National Park. /ED
Renovation of the building and treatment facility
The renovation and rehabilitation efforts will involve the redesign and adaptation of the existing rooms within the same structural footprint, enhancing their functionality along with improvements in insulation and ventilation. Moreover, the module connected to the annex building located on the current concrete platform will be restored, designed to accommodate the battery and pressure pump installations for firefighting. Additionally, measures for energy efficiency will be put in place and PVC pipes will be installed to channel wastewater generated at the Refuge to the Treatment Plant.
The Treatment Plant, designed for 25 equivalent inhabitants, will encompass a grinding grate or grease separator along with an Imhoff tank and a biological filter or sampling chamber, a unit with filter bags for sludge dehydration, an absorbent well, and masonry walls to ensure the protection and integration of the facilities.
Altavista Refuge
Constructed in the 19th century, the Altavista Refuge has historically served as a crucial support point for hikers ascending to Spain’s highest peak. Its reopening will restore an essential site for mountaineers while contributing to environmental preservation and sustainable tourism within Teide National Park.
