Teide access restrictions for Perseids and solar eclipse
The Cabildo de Tenerife is activating a comprehensive system to regulate access to Teide National Park and the surrounding forest area on the nights of 12 and 13 August, ahead of the Perseids meteor shower peak and the solar eclipse. The measure will limit private vehicle entry to ensure the safety of the thousands of visitors expected and protect this natural space of high environmental value.
When do the restrictions apply?
The restrictions will be in force between 17:00 and 05:00 the following day, using a dynamic traffic control system at the main access points to the National Park. Only authorised vehicles, public transport, buses, emergency services, accredited staff and people staying at accommodation inside Teide will be able to enter. Titsa, the island’s transport operator, will reinforce its bus services as an alternative to the private car.
The Minister for the Natural Environment, Blanca Pérez, explained that the operation aims to reconcile public safety with the conservation of one of the most sensitive natural spaces in the Canary Islands, given the high number of visitors who come to Teide every year to watch the meteor shower.
Four access control points
The operation will include four access control points at La Orotava (TF-21), La Esperanza (TF-24), Chío (TF-38) and Vilaflor (TF-21), where vehicle entry will be regulated. In addition, information points will be set up at Chío, La Esperanza, La Orotava and Arafo to inform drivers about the restrictions and offer alternative routes before they reach the controls.
The Minister for Roads, Dámaso Arteaga, recalled that in previous editions of the Perseids more than 2,000 vehicles have gathered inside the National Park – a situation that caused major traffic problems, illegal parking on the carriageway and risks to pedestrians, as well as hindering any potential evacuation in the event of a forest fire or other emergency. With these measures, the Cabildo aims to prevent traffic gridlock, protect the natural values of Teide National Park and guarantee a rapid response from emergency services if needed.
Who can still enter?
During the regulation period, only the following vehicles will be permitted: goods transport, regular public transport, buses and discretionary passenger services with more than nine seats, emergency vehicles and essential public services, authorised personnel working in the National Park and the forest area, as well as people staying at accommodation inside the protected space. All other private vehicles will be unable to enter while the operation remains active.
Extra bus services as an alternative
As an alternative to the private car, the Minister for Mobility, Eulalia García, announced that Titsa will run an additional bus service from La Orotava via the TF-21, La Esperanza via the TF-24 and Vilaflor via the TF-21. This reinforcement will operate between 19:30 and 02:30 on both nights of the operation, making it easier for those who wish to observe the Perseids and the solar eclipse to get there.
Coordinated emergency response
The special operation will mobilise staff from the Roads Department, Teide National Park, Security and Civil Protection, the Firefighting Operation, the Civil Guard, Local Police, the Canary Islands Police, the Red Cross, the Fire Brigade Consortium, the Emergency and Rescue Group (GES), the CECOES 112 emergency coordination centre, Titsa and several town councils, under the coordination of the Road Information Centre and the CECOPIN emergency planning centre.
The Cabildo stresses that this is not a total closure of the roads, but rather a temporary and dynamic regulation of access that will manage the high number of visitors expected over these two days, ensuring both public safety and the conservation of Teide National Park and the surrounding forest area.
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