What changes for walkers in the Teide National Park?
The Cabildo de Tenerife (island government) has regulated access to three further routes in the Parque Nacional del Teide. According to La Gaceta de Canarias, the affected routes are PNT 09 Teide-Pico Viejo-Mirador de Las Narices del Teide, PNT 23 Los Regatones Negros and PNT 28 Chafarí.
Advance reservation is now compulsory for these three routes. The total daily quota is 225 places. Of these, 150 places are for private individuals and 75 for accredited professionals, the newspaper reports.
Anyone found on one of these routes without valid authorisation commits an administrative offence. The possible fine is up to 600 euros, according to the report. Inspection staff can check reservations and equipment on site.
How does the reservation via Tenerife ON work?
Authorisations must be requested through the Tenerife ON platform. That is reported by La Gaceta de Canarias. Users must register there and select the route they want.
PNT 09 has 95 places per day. Of these, 70 go to private individuals and 25 to professionals. PNT 23 and PNT 28 each have 65 places, with 40 for private individuals and 25 for professionals.
This sets them apart from PNT 10 Telesforo Bravo and PNT 07 Montaña Blanca-La Rambleta, where charges continue to apply.
Which equipment is now compulsory?
The Cabildo requires compulsory equipment for the three routes. According to La Gaceta de Canarias, this includes long trousers, warm clothing, mountain boots, a mobile phone with sufficient battery, an emergency blanket, water, a hat, gloves and a head torch with spare batteries.
Supervision staff may check equipment. If the required items are missing, access can be refused. According to the report, this also applies if a confirmed reservation is held.
The island government justifies the measure on safety grounds in the high mountain zone.
What rules apply to PNT 10 Telesforo Bravo?
The decision also changes the conditions for the route to the Teide summit.
Access remains free for residents of Tenerife during the periods when charges apply.
Charges continue to apply for PNT 07 Montaña Blanca-La Rambleta.
What happens in bad weather or snow?
The decision provides for restrictions or complete closures when weather conditions endanger safety. That is reported by La Gaceta de Canarias.
If ice or snow remains after a closure, access can be limited to experienced mountaineers. Small groups with accredited professionals are also possible in that case.
The Cabildo recommends checking availability, access conditions and weather warnings before every outing. The report does not give a specific start date for the fine checks.
What remains open for visitors?
The official park website of the Canary Islands Government confirms reservation requirements for several routes. However, a capacity of 225 places is not expressly mentioned in the information found there.
The popular route PNT 03 Roques de García remains freely accessible without a reservation. That is clear from the park website.
A precise date for the new regulation to take effect, a complete list of all affected routes and possible closure days are not clearly identifiable from the available sources.