Viewpoint in Tenerife is being damaged by social media-driven crowds
The Mirador de Chipeque in La Orotava is one of Tenerife’s most stunning natural viewpoints, but it's facing mounting pressure from mass tourism, as the site is becoming overwhelmed by the sheer number of visitors it now attracts daily.
It is located at over 1,800 metres above sea level and offers panoramic views of Mount Teide and sunsets over the island’s iconic sea of clouds.
Much of this influx is driven by social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where images and videos of the viewpoint regularly go viral. As a result, hundreds of people flock to Chipeque every day, creating traffic jams on the TF-21 road, blocking emergency access, and parking illegally.
Visitors often ignore safety barriers, setting up chairs, coolers, and even camping tables in protected areas, damaging the natural environment and disrupting the quiet atmosphere the site is known for.
The environmental impact is particularly worrying. In just one afternoon, local volunteers and residents collected more than 200 discarded cigarette butts, along with plastics, wet wipes, and food waste.
Biologist Pablo Martín has warned that carelessly dropped cigarette ends pose a serious risk of wildfire in this area of dry forest. Despite a smoking ban introduced by the Tenerife Cabildo in 2024 for all protected viewpoints and walking trails, it is being widely ignored at Chipeque.
Chipeque’s transformation into a mass tourism site has also diminished the quality of the visitor experience. A recent video by local creator @manriquephoto showed the widespread litter and frequent use of unauthorised drones, both of which are prohibited. What was once a peaceful viewing point has now become a chaotic, crowded destination.
Locals have expressed their frustration on social media, lamenting the loss of what was once a magical and tranquil place.
Chipeque is not alone in this struggle. Other popular viewpoints across the island, including La Tarta and Roques de García, are also experiencing the pressures of overtourism.
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