Unprecedented Traffic Operation for Teide Snow Access
The heavy snowfall left by Storm Emilia on Mount Teide has sparked great enthusiasm among Tenerife residents to head up and enjoy the white blanket. As is customary whenever the National Park is covered in snow, the pilgrimage of islanders to Spain’s highest peak often brings access roads to a standstill. To prevent this, the Tenerife Island Council has planned an unprecedented operation for the coming days.
Major Security Deployment for Visitor Safety
This operation will involve the largest deployment of security personnel ever used for traffic control in the area. Officers from La Orotava Local Police, the Guardia Civil, the Canary Islands Police, Environmental Agents, rural guards, and reinforcements from the BRIFOR forest fire brigade will be stationed along the park’s roads to guarantee visitor safety. The Council’s ministry advises the public to always follow the self-protection instructions issued by the authorities and to respect all current measures and resolutions related to access restrictions to footpaths, recreational areas, forest tracks, woodland zones, Teide National Park, and other protected natural spaces.
Strict Access Timings and Vehicle Restrictions
Access to Teide will only be permitted by private vehicle between Wednesday 17th and Friday 19th December, from 10:00 to 18:00, with restrictions on the direction of travel and parking throughout the National Park. After this time, access is closed during the night and reopens at the indicated hours. The operation will be dynamic, allowing for modifications based on visitor numbers and how the situation develops. For the first few days after the roads reopen, the circulation of quads, buses, and motorcycles of any kind is prohibited within the natural space.
New One-Way Traffic Systems in Place
The Council anticipates very high visitor numbers due to the intensity of the snowfall and appeals for common sense and strict compliance with the resolution issued by the Island Ministry of the Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies. Regarding road traffic, access from the northern side via the TF-21 from La Orotava will only allow travel as far as Portillo Bajo. From there, vehicles must descend via the La Esperanza road (TF-24) in a one-way system. On the southwest side, the area most affected by snow this time, access will be possible via Chío (TF-38) and Vilaflor (TF-21) up to the Teide Cable Car area, where vehicles must turn around to head back south. Two-way traffic will be permitted on this stretch.
Authorised Parking and Weekend Plans
This is the second time the Council has implemented this circulation model in anticipation of high visitor numbers, following a similar experience in 2021. Stopping or parking along the roads and at viewpoints is strictly prohibited. The only authorised parking points are the Parador Nacional, the Teide Cable Car, the Roques de García, and Portillo Bajo. The work of the Council’s Roads Service has been crucial in enabling these zones, as some remained completely covered in snow during the day on Monday 15th December. The activation of the so-called ‘Operation Nevada’ for the coming weekend will be assessed and decided in the coming days by the Island Corporation, depending on the state of the roads and the forecast from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
No post found!