CONFIRMED: Cars to face restricted visiting time in Teide National Park
Access to Teide National Park by private car will soon be subject to time restrictions, with certain periods where entry will only be possible by bus or coach, according to the new Master Plan for Use and Management currently being finalised.
The announcement was made by José Miguel Ruano, from the Tenerife Cabildo, who clarified that this is “not a total ban on private vehicles”, but rather a move to regulate visitor flows.
Timed access by bus
“There will be specific time slots when all mobility will take place by bus, and others when this will not be the case,” Ruano explained. The measure seeks to address overcrowding and environmental pressures in one of Spain’s most visited natural spaces, while still guaranteeing public access.
The plan also includes respect for traditional activities, such as beekeeping under certain conditions, and improvements for cyclists on designated tracks.
A long-debated plan
The document has been in development for more than 18 months, with collaboration between the Tenerife Cabildo and the Government of the Canary Islands. It will be debated on 29th September by the Teide National Park’s board of trustees.
Both administrations previously disagreed with an earlier draft prepared during the tenure of José Antonio Valbuena as regional Councillor for Ecological Transition. That proposal was seen as too restrictive, effectively blocking vehicle access.
According to Ruano, the revised plan represents “a clear improvement,” creating a sustainable mobility framework with transitional measures and longer-term strategies to be set by the Cabildo.
What’s next?
The final approval lies with the Government of the Canary Islands, expected before December. If adopted, visitors should anticipate changes in how and when they can visit the park, with greater reliance on shuttle buses during peak hours.
For both residents and tourists, the plan is designed to balance visitor enjoyment, environmental protection, and sustainable access to Tenerife’s most visited landmark.
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