Mount Teide Refuge Reopening Sparks Debate Over Sustainable Tourism in Canary Islands
The reopening of the modernized Altavista Refuge on Mount Teide has reignited discussions on implementing stricter visitor management and conservation strategies to protect the Canary Islands' natural ecosystems.
The recent reopening of the Altavista Refuge, located 3,260 meters up Mount Teide, has sparked a new conversation about how to manage protected natural areas in the Canary Islands. Chano Gil, president of the Tenerife Mountaineering Federation, explains that the facility has undergone a major modernization to improve energy efficiency and water purification. Beyond its role as a mountain shelter, it now serves as a key hub for safety and astronomical research on the volcano.
For the hiking community, the reopening is welcome news, though it comes with a reminder about the need for limits. With 40 years of experience, Gil stresses that protecting biodiversity must always come first. He advocates for strict management plans to ensure that ecosystems are not overwhelmed by too many visitors.
The Federation points to the Masca ravine as a successful model, where officials introduced an eco-tax and a daily limit of 275 visitors. Gil believes these measures are effective as long as the money raised is reinvested directly into environmental conservation. He suggests a similar approach for busy areas like Anaga, where he supports replacing private cars with shuttle buses to balance tourism with the needs of local residents.
The Federation is also working to distinguish between responsible hiking and trespassing on private land. They are encouraging visitors to use official resources, such as the TenerifeOn portal, to find authorized routes. Looking ahead, the organization aims to promote a form of mountaineering that works in harmony with the island’s environment, helping to protect and monitor the landscape rather than degrade it.