Spain’s highest mountain will soon charge an entry fee. This has been decided by the island government of Tenerife. This move continues the policy of the largest Canary Island. An eco-tax had previously been introduced in Masca, and similar measures had been announced for several other areas.
The new tax is due to come into effect from 2026. Visitors to Mount Teide and the surrounding national park will then have to pay a kind of entrance fee to enter the nature reserve. According to Tenerife’s island president, Rosa Dávila, all the revenue will go directly towards nature conservation measures.
The administration of the largest of the Canary Islands formally took over the park on 1 January. Under the motto ‚we want to protect what belongs to us‘, Mount Teide is to be gradually monitored more closely from now on. The introduction of an entrance fee is thus the second measure taken since the takeover. And it is by no means the only one:
Tenerife aims to better protect Mount Teide
The island’s administration had already capped the number of hikers at 300. Anyone wishing to climb Mount Teide must now register in advance. This is intended to protect both the natural environment and the hikers themselves (more on this at the end of the article).
Due to the significant rise in tourism, the hiking trails on Mount Teide are also seeing more visitors. Furthermore, unauthorised parking and littering in the protected area are becoming an increasing problem. Most recently, the authorities had to – despite a general ban on fires – even put a stop to a family barbecue.
Electric shuttles to take visitors to Mount Teide
The new access model, due to come into effect in 2026, provides for an entry charge as well as restrictions on private vehicle traffic. To ensure visitors can still reach Mount Teide, more electric shuttles will be gradually introduced.
However, the size of the buses is set to be reduced. The aim is to further reduce the environmental impact by using more smaller buses. There are also plans to increase the number of rangers in order to enforce the rules more strictly.
Tougher penalties for environmental offences in Tenerife
Dávila has so far given a positive assessment of the introduction of the eco-tax in Masca and has therefore announced an expansion of such measures. The same applies to penalties for environmental offences. The relevant unit within the Guardia Civil reports an increasing number of call-outs, meaning that the list of penalties must be expanded.
In addition, programmes aimed at greater sustainability are set to be further expanded. The Mount Teide cable car will be the first in the world to be powered exclusively by solar energy. To continue on this path, Tenerife plans to invest a record sum of 219 million euros in environmental protection. This represents an increase of more than a quarter compared with two years ago. This will be funded, amongst other things, by the Canary Islands‘ „forestry cent“.
No comments on this article yet.