Tenerife Sets Eco-Tax for Climbing Mount Teide

300 people per day, Tenerife residents exempt, €25 for tourists

The Cabildo of Tenerife unveiled on Wednesday a new ecotax model for hiking to the summit of Teide. The fee is part of the newly approved Plan Rector de Uso y Gestión (PRUG) and will become operational on 1 January 2026 (already in force since November).

The details were presented in a press conference by island president Rosa Dávila and vice‑president Lope Afonso, who emphasized that the ecotax—similar to the one already applied in Masca—aims to “order” visits to the park and guarantee its conservation.

• Exemptions & fees

  • Children under 14 years and Tenerife residents: exempt.
  • Canary Island residents: €3–€6 depending on whether the visit falls on a weekday or weekend, and on the use of authorized guides.
  • Tourists: €10–€25.

• Visitor cap

  • Maximum of 300 people per day, divided into three groups of 100 per time slot.
  • The quota applies to two trails: Trail 10 “Telesforo Bravo” (ascent to the crater from La Rambleta) and Trail 7 “Montaña Blanca–La Rambleta.”

• Reservation system

  • Bookings must be made through the ‘Tenerife ON’ platform.
  • The Cabildo expects to raise roughly €650,000, which will be reinvested in the maintenance and conservation of the national park.

• Access restrictions

  • No animals are allowed, except guide dogs.
  • Hiking without a reservation can be penalised with fines up to €600 under the Canary Islands natural‑space legislation.

• Requirements for summit visitors

  • Carry a printed or digital permit together with an official ID.
  • Wear long trousers, warm clothing, and appropriate mountain footwear.
  • Bring sunscreen, energy foods, and water.
  • Have a fully charged mobile phone, a thermal blanket, a flashlight or headlamp, gloves, and a hat.

“The pressure of visitors on Teide National Park is unsustainable,” President Dávila said, noting that more than five million people visited last year compared with 3.5 million in 2020.

In response, the new Relación de Puestos de Trabajo (RPT) will add 16 staff members to the park: eight forest agents and eight technicians. According to Dávila, these personnel will have the authority to impose sanctions and forward complaints to the Prosecutor’s Office.