A new stage of visitor control has begun at Teide National Park (Parque Nacional del Teide) on the island of Tenerife, regulating access to the highest point in Spain. Now, tourists who attempt to reach the summit without an official permit risk not only being stopped but also facing a substantial fine. The first to experience the stricter rules were two French nationals.
The registration system for those wishing to walk the trail to La Rambleta (La Rambleta) has been in place since late 2024. Access requires obtaining a free permit through the Tenerife ON platform and presenting it before starting the route. Visitor numbers are limited to no more than 300 people per day, split into three time slots. In addition, special mountain equipment is now mandatory.
In October 2025, controls were tightened further: inspectors now work not only at the base but also at elevations above 3,500 meters. This led to the first cases of attempted fraud. Two French tourists were stopped on the Telesforo Bravo trail (Telesforo Bravo), which leads to the very summit. Upon inspection, it was found that their permits were forged—staff compared the data with the electronic register and discovered inconsistencies.
Although the detained individuals did not argue and behaved calmly, an administrative report was issued against them. Violating the rules for visiting a protected natural area can result in a fine of 600 euros, and if a rescue operation is required, the costs can rise to 12,000 euros.
The Tenerife authorities emphasize that the goal of the new measures is not to restrict access but to preserve the unique ecosystem and ensure the safety of everyone who decides to climb Teide. Increased monitoring is already delivering results—attempts to use fake documents are being detected and stopped on the spot. Now tourists should consider: is it worth the risk for questionable savings?
This case marked the first real example of the new rules being enforced. In the future, such checks and sanctions will become standard practice for anyone trying to bypass the system. Teide National Park remains one of Spain’s most popular natural attractions, and now its protection has reached a new level.
