Enhanced Traffic Management at El Teide Following Heavy Snowfall

The Cabildo de Tenerife is set to implement significant traffic management measures starting Tuesday, December 16, aimed at controlling congestion at El Teide after Storm Emilia brought the heaviest snowfall seen in nine years.

Comprehensive Security Measures

This operation will see the largest deployment of security personnel ever recorded in the area. Various agencies, including the Local Police from La Orotava, the Civil Guard, Canary Police, Environmental Agents, rural guards, and BRIFOR reinforcements, will be stationed along the park roads to ensure the safety of visitors.

Access Regulations and Parking Restrictions

Visitors will be allowed to access the park by car from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with specific traffic direction restrictions in place. Four designated parking areas will be available throughout the National Park. The management of this operation will be flexible, adapting to the number of visitors. During the initial reopening phase, quad bikes, buses, and motorcycles will not be permitted in the area.

Visitor Anticipation and Compliance

Due to the anticipated surge in visitors following the snowfall, local authorities are urging both residents and tourists to exercise common sense and adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Department of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Safety, and Emergencies to effectively manage access.

Traffic Flow Guidelines

For those entering via La Orotava (TF-21), traffic will be limited to Portillo Bajo, with vehicles required to exit via the La Esperanza road (TF-24) in a single direction. On the southwest side, which received the most snowfall, access will be granted from Chío (TF-38) and Vilaflor (TF-21) to the Teide Cable Car, where vehicles will need to turn around to exit through the south. This traffic model has been previously used by the Cabildo in 2021 to manage high visitor numbers.

Designated Parking Areas

Stopping and parking along roads and at viewpoints will be strictly prohibited. The designated parking facilities are located at the National Parador, Teide Cable Car, Roques de García, and Portillo Bajo. The Cabildo de Tenerife’s Roads Service has played a crucial role in establishing these parking zones, especially since many were completely covered in snow as of midday on December 15.

Changes to Access Schedule

Access control to Teide will see a schedule adjustment from December 17 to December 19, with operations commencing an hour earlier at 10:00 AM. An announcement regarding the activation of the ‘Snow Operation’ for the upcoming weekend will be made by the Cabildo in the coming days.

Non-compliance Issues

Despite the strict regulations prohibiting access to Teide, some individuals have disregarded these instructions, with reports of a buggy appearing on the road. Although they encountered several agents, they acknowledged the ban. Additionally, a cyclist has been seen making his way to the park’s highest point while complying with warnings from a technician of the Civil Protection Service of Cabildo de Tenerife.

Snow Coverage Observations

Snow accumulation increased as one ascended the road from La Orotava, with the first frost visible near Ramón Caminero at approximately 1,500 meters. Unusually, the southern face of Tenerife received significantly more snow from Emilia. The journey to the National Parador of Teide became increasingly cold and white, resembling a winter postcard. Approximately twenty foreign guests were caught off guard by the storm over the weekend, with only three or four astrophotographers remaining by December 15. The rest were assisted in exiting the national park by snowploughs, as phone lines had gone down on Friday and remain out of service.

Ongoing Snow Clearance Efforts

In the days leading up to the reopening, the Insular Roads Service continued to clear the verges to ensure safe access for visitors.

Key points

• The Cabildo de Tenerife is implementing extensive traffic management measures starting December 16.
• This operation involves the largest deployment of security personnel in the area.
• Access by car will be allowed from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM with specific traffic restrictions.
• Quad bikes, buses, and motorcycles are banned during the initial reopening phase.
• Designated parking areas include the National Parador, Teide Cable Car, Roques de García, and Portillo Bajo.
• Access control hours will change from December 17 to 19, starting at 10:00 AM.
• Some individuals have disregarded access regulations, leading to enforcement actions.