Tenerife approves solution for Masca’s tourist overcrowding crisis
The governing council of the Cabildo de Tenerife approved this Wednesday a crucial report that will enable progress on acquiring the land needed to establish a car park in Cruz de Hilda, in the picturesque hamlet of Masca. This significant development promises to address one of Tenerife’s most pressing tourism management challenges in recent years.
A small village with big tourism impact
Despite its diminutive size, Masca ranks among Tenerife’s most visited tourist destinations, drawing countless visitors to experience its dramatic mountain setting and traditional Canarian architecture. However, this popularity has come at a considerable cost to local residents, who have repeatedly voiced their concerns directly to the Cabildo about the overwhelming impact of mass tourism on their daily lives.
Currently, the Cabildo has not implemented visitor limits for accessing the village itself, though access to the famous Masca ravine is regulated and subject to charges – a measure that has provided some control over visitor numbers to this spectacular hiking destination.
Addressing critical safety concerns for tour operators
At a press conference, President Rosa Dávila highlighted one of the area’s most pressing safety issues: the impossibility for tourist buses to turn around safely at the renowned Masca viewpoint. This dangerous situation has created significant risks for both tour operators and visitors, making the need for proper infrastructure urgent.
The proposed 3,000 square meter car park will provide a safe turning area for buses while respecting the area’s unique orography and maintaining strict environmental protection standards – crucial considerations given Masca’s location within the protected Teno Rural Park.
Practical details and capacity planning
The new parking facility will accommodate eight tourist buses and ten private cars, providing much-needed relief for the congested access roads. The Cabildo believes this infrastructure will guarantee safe bus maneuvering, eliminate risky situations, and significantly reduce pressure on the narrow mountain roads leading to this beloved destination.
Notably, President Dávila did not announce any additional measures to limit visitor numbers or introduce restrictions on vehicle access to the site, suggesting that the focus remains on managing existing tourism flows rather than reducing them.
Part of broader tourism enhancement strategy
This car park represents just one element of a comprehensive approach to improving tourism infrastructure in the region. The facility is specifically provided for in the Teno Rural Park Master Plan, which envisions additional services including information points and small controlled parking areas throughout the protected area.
These planned improvements aim to enhance the overall tourist experience while better managing the environmental and social impacts of the thousands of visitors who journey to Masca each year to witness one of Tenerife’s most spectacular landscapes.
