The Island Council of Tenerife has stepped up its response to the growing problem of tourist overcrowding in the Teide National Park, announcing stricter surveillance and enforcement at popular viewpoints such as Chipeque, Chimague, and Ayosa, located in the Corona Forestal Natural Park.
According to the Island Council’s president, Rosa Dávila, the measures come after repeated incidents of congestion, unsafe parking, and the risk posed by large gatherings in areas vulnerable to forest fires.
“Every evening, crowds gather that not only cause traffic jams by parking haphazardly, but also put people at risk, as we can often find ourselves in dangerous situations due to the threat of wildfires,” Dávila explained.
Coordinated Security Measures
To address the problem, the Island Council is working with the Civil Guard, Canary Islands Police, and environmental officers. Beginning next week, the Canary Islands Police will have a permanent presence in the Teide National Park.
Environmental officers will also continue to monitor visitors, with the authority to issue reports for violations. These reports are sent to the General Directorate of Traffic, which enforces penalties. Officials noted that several sanctions have already been processed in recent days, adding to the 700 reports filed in the first half of this year for environmental infractions across Tenerife.
The island’s councillor for the environment, Blanca Pérez, warned:
“Anyone who breaks the rules will be reported and punished. These measures are not only about protecting nature, but also about guaranteeing public safety in the event of a fire.”
Recurring Overcrowding Issues
The Teide National Park—among the most visited natural sites in Spain—faces chronic issues with mass tourism. At sunset, dozens of vehicles often line the roads to Ayosa and Chipeque, blocking traffic and causing gridlock. Videos posted to social media show illegally parked cars along road sections, with visitors gathering simply to watch the sunset.
On 9 August, more than 50 people were evicted from the Chipeque viewpoint, despite closures and restrictions in place due to a maximum fire alert and extreme heat conditions.
Public Complaints and Environmental Risks
Residents, experts, and activists have increasingly sounded the alarm about reckless behaviour in the park:
- Photographer Diego Manrique reported cases of visitors smoking among pine trees, discarding cigarette butts, flying drones illegally, and even thefts from parked vehicles during fire alerts.
- Jaime Coello, of the Telesforo Bravo–Juan Coello Foundation, criticised the Island Council for creating a “perfect storm of tourist overcrowding”, accusing it of prioritising mass tourism over conservation. He described the situation as “unsustainable”, citing illegal parking in Minas de San José, off-trail wandering, and stone collecting by visitors.
These warnings add to the near-daily complaints about the lack of effective control in the park.
Permanent Surveillance on the Horizon
The Island Council has pledged to introduce permanent surveillance at the most vulnerable viewpoints.
“It is a complex issue that requires coordination among different administrations,” said Dávila. “We are working on long-term solutions, because this is not only about protecting nature, but also about ensuring people’s safety in the event of a fire.”
Until then, the Island Council urges both residents and visitors to act responsibly, respect closures, and follow all instructions issued by authorities to prevent accidents and environmental damage in Tenerife’s most iconic natural space.
