Big changes coming to Spain's Mount Teide: What walkers need to know before their next visit
New rules, eco-taxes and electric buses aim to protect Tenerife’s treasured national park
Visiting Mount Teide is about to feel quite different, with a series of new rules designed to protect one of Tenerife’s most precious landscapes.The changes were revealed by the president of the Tenerife Island Council, Rosa Dávila, during the recent Debate on the State of the Island. She confirmed that the council plans to take over full management of Teide National Park before summer, once powers are transferred from the Canary Islands Government.
One of the most noticeable changes for visitors will be the introduction of electric shuttle buses. These are expected to ease congestion and reduce the environmental impact of private traffic, while also improving access for tourists. The number of environmental guards will also be increased to help monitor the park and prevent damage. With more than 4 million people visiting each year, officials say closer surveillance is vital.
A new Master Plan for Use and Management is also on the way. This will update the current framework to better reflect the park’s modern needs, with stronger protections for its biodiversity and volcanic heritage.
Perhaps the most talked-about change is the introduction of an eco-tax for non-residents, which will come into effect in 2026. The money collected will go directly toward maintaining and conserving the park.
“Climbing to the peak should be an orderly privilege, not a risk to the environment,” said Dávila.
In more good news for nature lovers, the long-shut Altavista refuge is expected to reopen before the end of the year. By 2026, the cabins of the Teide Cable Car will be fully renovated and powered by solar energy, making it the first cable car in the world to operate using photovoltaic technology.
The council is also investing heavily in reforestation, including what Dávila called “the largest Canary Island pine reforestation in the history of Tenerife.” The Wolfredo Wildpret nursery has already doubled its capacity to grow native species, and restoration work will soon begin in damaged areas like Rambla de Castro, La Caleta and Montaña Roja.
Image: Ray Bilcliff/Pexels
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