Teide National Park Reopens After Storm Emilia’s Heavy Snowfall
Access to the breathtaking Teide National Park in Tenerife will be restored on Tuesday, December 16, following a significant snowfall caused by Storm Emilia. This reopening comes as a relief to both residents and tourists eager to witness the park’s stunning winter landscape.
Reopening Details and Anticipated Visitor Surge
The Cabildo de Tenerife has officially announced that the access roads to Teide National Park will be open exclusively for vehicles after thorough cleaning and marking by the Roads services. This reopening is anticipated to draw a large number of visitors, including locals and tourists, all keen to experience the park’s enchanting snow-covered vistas.
Rosa Dávila, the president of the Cabildo, emphasized the hard work and dedication of teams who have been tirelessly ensuring safe access to the park in the wake of the snowfall. She expressed optimism about the reopening, highlighting the beauty of the park during this winter season.
Access Routes and Safety Protocols
The reopening will permit access via specific routes, ensuring that visitors can safely navigate the park:
- Through TF-21, from the south to the Cable Car, with a return on the same route.
- Via the section of TF-21 between Aguamansa and El Portillo, exiting through TF-24 towards Izaña.
However, it is important to note that roads leading from La Esperanza (TF-24) and Arafo towards Teide will remain closed. This decision was reached during a meeting involving representatives from Civil Protection, Security, and Emergency Services, along with the Mobility and Roads departments of the Cabildo. The closures are a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all visitors.
To maintain public safety and effectively manage traffic flow, personnel from the Cabildo of Tenerife will oversee the reopening process. They will work in collaboration with the Guardia Civil, Autonomous Police, and Local Police of La Orotava to ensure that all safety protocols are followed.
As of Monday, December 15, all routes will remain closed until safe conditions are confirmed. Only trails that are deemed passable will be opened, while those at risk due to water or ice accumulation will be banned. Furthermore, access to the peak of Teide will be restricted to equipped mountaineers who utilize the Tenerife On application, ensuring that strict safety protocols are adhered to in order to protect both visitors and the park’s delicate ecosystem.
Current Operations and Future Enhancements
The Cabildo is actively conducting a cleaning operation utilizing three snow ploughs and a shovel on TF-24 and other critical areas of the island, where reports of rockfalls and ice sheets have emerged. This operation is crucial for restoring safe access and ensuring that the park remains a safe environment for all visitors. In addition to road clearing, assistance has been provided to guests at the Parador del Teide to ensure their safe departure from the area.
Looking ahead, the Cabildo has ambitious plans to renew its fleet of snow ploughs for the National Park in January 2026. This upgrade aims to enhance the park’s capability to effectively manage winter weather conditions, ensuring that access can be maintained even during severe weather events in the future.
Key points
- Access to Teide National Park will reopen on December 16 after Storm Emilia’s snowfall.
- Routes available include TF-21 and a section between Aguamansa and El Portillo.
- Roads from La Esperanza and Arafo will remain closed for safety.
- Supervision will be provided by various police and emergency services.
- Only passable trails will be opened; strict measures are in place for peak ascents.
- The Cabildo is conducting cleaning operations with snow ploughs across affected areas.
- Plans are in place to renew the snow plough fleet in January 2026.
