Teide National Park Implements Stricter Access Rules to Prioritize Conservation
Teide National Park has implemented a new management plan that prioritizes environmental conservation by strictly limiting commercial filming, recreational overflights, and sporting events while significantly increasing support for scientific research.
Teide National Park is undergoing a major administrative shift following the introduction of a new management plan at the end of 2025. According to the Tenerife Island Council, these new regulations have significantly reduced the number of permits granted in the first half of 2026, as the park prioritizes environmental protection over commercial and recreational use.
Replacing the previous 2002 guidelines, the new plan introduces stricter controls on human activity within the volcanic landscape. This is most evident in the film and photography industry, where permits have dropped sharply. After authorizing 56 projects last year, the park has limited this to just eight in the first six months of 2026. New monthly and quarterly quotas, along with limits on crew sizes, mean the calendar for such projects is already fully booked.
Additionally, the park has tightened rules on overflights. Aerial activity is now restricted to emergency services and essential park operations, effectively ending all recreational flights.
In contrast, the park is becoming a hub for research. Nearly half of the 70 permits issued through June were for scientific projects, particularly in volcanology, archaeology, and biodiversity. If this trend continues, the park expects to issue nearly 100 research permits by the end of the year, doubling the total from 2025.
For sports, the Council has limited authorized competitions to three events: the Tenerife Bluetrail, the Teide 360 Cycling Tour, and the Tour of Tenerife. Further adjustments include reducing the number of Bluetrail participants allowed to ascend the mountain from 500 to 400 and a total ban on electric bicycles.
Blanca Pérez, the Minister of Natural Environment, stated that these changes are necessary to protect the park’s fragile ecosystem from high visitor numbers. This strategy is supported by the "Tenerife ON" digital reservation system, which manages access to popular trails like Montaña Blanca and Pico Viejo.
Under the new procedures, all applications for filming or sporting events must undergo a 20-day public review period after being published in the official gazette. This allows for public feedback before the National Park Board makes a final decision, ensuring greater transparency in how the protected area is managed.