Want to visit the snow? Teide access roads to reopen to the public on Tuesday
The Tenerife Cabildo has announced that access roads to Teide National Park are expected to reopen tomorrow, Tuesday 16th December, from midday, following the recent snowfall caused by Storm Emilia.
The reopening will apply exclusively to private cars and will only take place once the roads have been fully cleared and correctly signposted by the island’s Highways Department.
The decision has been taken with public safety as the top priority, allowing visitors and residents to return to the park after days of disruption.
Limited access routes
Access to Teide National Park will be permitted via two specific routes only:
- TF-21 (south access) up to the Cable Car, open in both directions
- TF-21 from Aguamansa to El Portillo Bajo, with exit via the TF-24 towards Izaña
Access towards Teide via La Esperanza (TF-24) and Arafo will remain closed until further notice.
The measures were agreed during a coordination meeting held today with representatives from Civil Protection, Security and Emergency Services, as well as the Mobility and Highways departments. Traffic control will be jointly managed by Cabildo staff, with support from the Guardia Civil, Canary Islands Police and La Orotava Local Police.
Cabildo President Rosa Dávila said island services “have been working over recent days to ensure these roads can reopen safely and to restore access to Teide National Park following the snowfall caused by Storm Emilia”.
Roads and trails remain closed on Monday
All access roads will remain closed throughout today, Monday 15th December, until authorities can guarantee safe driving conditions.
Only hiking trails that are considered safe and fully passable will reopen. Any routes presenting risks due to weather conditions, such as flowing water or ice, will remain closed.
Access to the park and ascent to the summit of Mount Teide will be permitted only to properly equipped mountaineers and must be arranged through the official Tenerife On app.
Ongoing road works and snow clearance
Road cleaning operations are continuing across the island, particularly on the TF-24, where rockfalls have been reported, as well as other key routes affected by rain and ice.
Three snowploughs and a heavy-duty loader are currently operating in the area to ensure road safety. The Cabildo has also assisted guests who were staying at the Parador hotel and needed to leave during the closures.
Looking ahead, the Cabildo has confirmed that three new snowploughs will be added to the Teide National Park fleet in January, following an investment of more than €600,000. The new equipment will improve response times and snow-clearing capacity during future weather events.
The Cabildo says these actions underline its commitment to public safety and the protection of Teide’s unique natural environment, ensuring the national park can be enjoyed safely and responsibly.
Share:
