There is half a metre of fresh snow on Mount Teide. Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma have reported heavy snowfall due to the storm Emilia. Meanwhile, the sun is shining again over the Canary Islands. The snow has stayed – and is attracting thousands of visitors.
Mount Teide National Park regularly attracts a flood of cars following heavy snowfall. Hundreds of cars flock to the nature reserve, with day-trippers keen to go for a walk in the snow. To manage the crowds, checkpoints have been set up and rules introduced this time round.
The Island Council of Tenerife has deployed an unprecedented contingent of security personnel to Mount Teide and its access points. This includes the local police from La Orotava, the Guardia Civil and the National Police. Meanwhile, the forest rangers are securing the area itself. The Island Council has issued important advice for visitors:
Tenerife issues rules for snow trips to Mount Teide
Accordingly, access to Mount Teide by private vehicle has been permitted only between 10 am and 6 pm from Wednesday until at least Friday. The park is closed at night.
For the time being, the Mount Teide National Park is closed to motorbikes and quad bikes all day. There are also patrols on duty to report vehicles parked illegally and people who do not follow the rules.
Access is currently permitted via the TF-21 near La Orotava. Vehicles may only leave the national park via the TF-24. A one-way system is therefore in place whilst there is heavy snow. From the south, it is possible to drive via the TF-21 and the TF-38 to the cable car. From there, the same one-way system applies. The return journey therefore also follows the southern route.
Parking in unmarked areas is strictly prohibited. Official car parks are the Parador Nacional, the Mount Teide Cable Car, the Roques de García and Portillo Bajo. It is to be clarified shortly whether the special snow regulations will remain in force at weekends as well.
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