The president of the Tenerife Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, declared on Wednesday that the regulation for the ascent to the summit of the Teide will commence next Friday. This will allow a maximum of 300 individuals per day across three time slots — from 09:00 to 16:00; from 16:00 to 00:00; and from 00:00 to 09:00.
During a press briefing detailing the Government Council’s agreements, she further explained, alongside vice president Lope Afonso, that the route will have support personnel from the National Park available round the clock, every day of the year, and that hikers must register via the app ‘Tenerife ON’.
Businesses that focus on active tourism and federated climbers will be given special consideration, with 20% of total spots allocated to them. Those who fail to adhere to the regulations could face a penalty of 600 euros and will be responsible for covering the potential rescue costs, which could range from 2,000 to 12,000 euros.
Participants in this climb, restricted to trails Number 7 (Montaña Blanca-Pico del Teide), 11 (Fortress Viewpoint), 23 (Regatones Negros), and 9 (Teide-Pico Viejo), are required to carry equipment suitable for high mountain conditions, fulfilling criteria established by the Special Mountain Intervention Rescue Group (GREIM) of the Civil Guard and the Tenerife Consortium for Fire Prevention, Extinction, and Rescue.
To guarantee that all hikers are equipped and have necessary documentation—including appropriate mountain boots, a jacket, a thermal blanket, sufficient water, a mobile phone with a charged battery, and a headlamp—numerous checkpoints will be established along the ascent.
Moreover, during pre-alert conditions, access to the general public will be restricted from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. while the declaration is active, to prevent night-time exposure in mountainous areas. In situations of alert or maximum alert, public access will be completely prohibited, and trails will be shut 24/7.
Additionally, the National Park management may restrict access and close trails if adverse weather conditions arise, such as ice, snow, strong winds, frost, or any other factors that render the pathways unsafe for ascent to the peak of Teide.
However, federated climbers and active tourism firms will be treated differently, needing to adequately substantiate their capabilities, possess appropriate resources, and apply for special permits when the terrain is icy or snowy.
To ascend to the peak from the Rambleta cable car, the previously required additional permit, which can be requested via the ‘Volcano Teide’ website, remains in effect.
REDUCING IRRESPONSIBILITY AND PREVENTING OVERCROWDING
Dávila noted that currently the ascent will be free as the Cabildo lacks a formal structure for an ‘ecotax,’ similar to that seen in the Masca ravine. However, she indicated that charges would be introduced in the future, with revenues directed towards the park’s conservation, exempting local residents and offering discounts to Canary Islanders.
She specified that the aim of this new regulation is to “reduce recklessness and irresponsibility that can lead to rescues and, in some incidents, accidents,” while also preventing “overcrowding” within the national park due to its negative environmental impact.
Furthermore, she emphasized the intent to provide a “safer and more rewarding” experience for visitors and to address the issue of unregulated guiding practices, as “illegal” guides offering such services have been reported.
The president confirmed that “there are no jurisdictional issues” despite the Master Plan for the Use and Management of the National Park not having been sanctioned, as the Cabildo holds the power to “control and oversee” access to the park based on delegated authority that will commence from January 1st. “We haven’t fully committed yet,” she remarked.
To facilitate the effective management of the ascent, the Cabildo announced an investment exceeding one million euros to replace over 2,000 signs and markers within the park, with the aim of creating more coherent, modern signage available in multiple languages, acknowledging that many climbers are international visitors.
