Roads to Reopen for Spectacular Snow Scenes
Following the intense snowfall brought by Storm Emilia, the Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo) has announced that tomorrow, Tuesday 16 December, it will reopen the access roads to the Teide National Park, exclusively for private cars. This will happen once the Highways Department has finished clearing and signposting the affected routes. The reopening will allow thousands of visitors and residents to enjoy the snowy landscapes of Mount Teide, which has seen its first significant snowfall of the season this year.
Specific Routes and Safety Protocols
The President of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, emphasised that teams “have worked over the last few days to enable safe access to the Teide National Park following the recent snowfall.” Road access will be enabled as follows: via the TF-21 from the south up to the Cable Car, with return via the same route; and via the TF-21 section between Aguamansa and El Portillo, exiting onto the TF-24 towards Izaña. The roads from La Esperanza (TF-24) and Arafo in the direction of Teide will remain closed, a decision taken in today’s meeting with representatives of Civil Protection, Security and Emergencies, as well as the Cabildo’s Mobility and Highways departments.
Supervised Access and Ongoing Closures
The reopening will be supervised by Cabildo personnel, in collaboration with the Guardia Civil, the Autonomous Police, and the Local Police of La Orotava, to ensure public safety and proper traffic flow. Today, Monday 15 December, all roads will remain closed until safe conditions are guaranteed. Only passable footpaths will be opened, while those at risk from water accumulation or ice will remain prohibited. Ascent to the Teide Peak will only be permitted for properly equipped mountaineers via the Tenerife On app, following strict safety protocols. This measure aims to protect both visitors and the flora and fauna of the National Park.
Clearance Operations and Future Investment
The Cabildo maintains a clearance operation with three snowploughs and a shovel loader on the TF-24 and other critical points on the island, where rockfalls and ice sheets were reported. Furthermore, assistance was provided to people staying at the Parador de Turismo hotel on Teide to ensure their safe departure. In January 2026, the Cabildo will renew the Teide National Park’s snowplough fleet with three new vehicles, at an investment of over €600,000. This upgrade will allow for greater clearance capacity and a faster response to future snowfalls, reaffirming the Cabildo’s commitment to visitor safety and the protection of Teide’s natural environment.
With these measures, the Cabildo de Tenerife ensures that both residents and visitors can enjoy the National Park safely and responsibly, while maintaining strict control over road and footpath conditions during the winter season.
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