VERY IMPORTANT: TO MAKE THE OVERNIGHT IN THE BIVOU REGIME, IT IS MANDATORY FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE PERSONS INCLUDED IN THE PERMIT, TO CARRY THE ORIGINAL OR VALIDLY ATTORNED COPY OF THE D.N.I., PASSPORT OR OTHER OFFICIAL IDENTITY DOCUMENT MATCHING THE ONE THAT APPEARS IN THE PERMIT, BEING MANDATORY TO SHOW IT TO THE PARK STAFF IF REQUIRED. THE PERMIT WILL NOT BE VALID IF THE APPLICANT DOES NOT APPEAR.
You are going to carry out an activity in the high mountains of the Canary Islands. Please read this section carefully; your enjoyment, your safety and your life may depend on it.
This section includes activities aimed at professional visitors or fans of sports in the mountains.
The activity in this section may only be carried out on the date and time on which the authorization for them has been obtained. The change of time or date of the authorized activity is not allowed. To change the activity, you will need to obtain a new authorization.
The practice of spending the night in a bivouac regime is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences to develop in the Teide National Park. It gives us the opportunity to live an experience of contact with the environment that is undoubtedly unforgettable.
First of all, to clarify the term, we must define it so that it does not lead to confusion, since overnight bivouac is allowed with prior authorization from the National Park Directorate, but camping is prohibited.
Taken from the Manual on concepts of public use in Protected Natural Areas prepared by Europarc Spain, we collect the definition of VIVAC.
Bivouac: Activity that consists of sleeping or resting during the night in the open or in the open, using or not shelter elements, such as a sleeping bag or bivouac cover or the means provided by the environment without it being altered.
In the current Governing Plan for Use and Management (PRUG) of the Teide National Park, (Decree 153/2002, of October 24) section 7.4.5. pick up:
7.4.5.- Bivouac. The practice of the bivouac must be authorized by the Park Administration. In no case may it be carried out at a level lower than two thousand five hundred meters above sea level, not authorizing the making of bonfires or fires other than those of gas stoves.
In the Teide National Park there are four authorized bivouac areas (see annexed documentation of the bivouac areas), linked to four of the emblematic peaks of the Park: Teide, Montaña Blanca, Pico Viejo and Montaña Guajara.
A maximum of 15 places will be authorized in this Teide bivouac area, while the Altavista Refuge remains closed. With the Shelter open, its maximum capacity will be 7 seats.
This type of activity is focused on having an experience of direct contact with the wildest nature of the Teide National Park, through an overnight bivouac. That allows direct contact with the environment and the possibility of observing the sky in the sleeping bag.
Access to the bivouac areas will be on foot as they are located outside the vicinity of the road that crosses the National Park and always above 2,500 meters above sea level.
TEIDE bivouac area
DESCRIPTION. - The area is oblong, with diameters of 82 and 20 meters, it is the smallest of the authorized areas. It extends along the outskirts of the left side in the upward direction of trail No. 7 of the Network, called Montaña Blanca-Pico Teide, in the section between the points of the UPPER trail (28 16 25.50 N and 16 38 18.61 W) and LOWER (28 16 24.79 N and 16 38 16.36 W). The upper level of the perimeter is 3,533 meters and the lower is 3,523 meters high. It has a sheltered area close to a lava flow of Teide.
ACCESS. - It is accessed by the path called Montaña Blanca-Pico Teide (nº 7 of the main network of trails in the Park).
AUTHORIZABLE PLACES. - In a temporary way and while the Altavista Shelter remains closed, the maximum capacity will be 15 people. With the Shelter open, its maximum capacity will be 7 seats.
The mountain climate is changeable and in many cases unpredictable, and there may be a temperature range from day to night of more than 20ºC.
Depending on the time of year that you choose to carry out your activity, the weather conditions will vary so you will have to keep this in mind when preparing your equipment, clothing and the material that you will need to carry out the activity. Chosen Mountaineer.
Your safety is our concern, but it is your responsibility.
Before starting an activity in the mountains, you must make sure you have the appropriate permits for it, you must consult the weather forecasts for the area and you must also bring the appropriate material for the sport you are going to do.
Remember that mountain paths by definition are steep and hard to travel, so you must wear suitable footwear (mountain or hiking boots), you should know that there are no fountains available on the paths of the Teide National Park, so you must Bring the water (or some other liquid) that you need for the period in which you are going to carry out your activity. You should bring some food to help you replenish energy from the wear and tear on the chosen activity. You must also adapt your clothing to the unpredictable and changing conditions of the mountain. A flashlight will be essential for the bivouac.
The Teide National Park is located at a considerable average height above sea level. It is located above the characteristic sea of ??clouds that divides the island of Tenerife in elevation (and that filters the suns rays for the population of the midlands or coast). The Park has a solar incidence valued as EXTREME in the summer months and valued as HIGH in the winter months. Therefore, throughout the year, extreme precautions must be taken against possible injuries caused by the sun. You must wear protective glasses and clothing that prevents direct incidence on the skin. You may also need high-level sunscreens for parts of your body exposed to the sun.
Conditions to carry out a bivouac in the Teide National Park
The bivouac areas are areas with an environment of extreme beauty and at the same time have a fragile balance. This activity generates in the user an experience of intimate contact with nature of high quality. It is necessary to be aware that after our passage the human footprint must be minimal, so that all users can enjoy it with the same quality over time and guarantee the conservation of this ecosystem. No type of waste can be left in the area to avoid altering the ecosystem and thus, among other problems, causing the proliferation of rodents.
The performance of this activity is subject, among others, to the following conditions:
- The bivouac should be installed when the sun sets and removed when it dawns.
- The realization of bonfires or fires other than those of gas stoves is not authorized.
- Likewise, the stay in the Restricted Use Zone is authorized to carry out said activity.
- The Teide National Park is exempt from any liability that may arise from the development of this activity.
- You must take the garbage generated during your stay.
- This permit must be carried by the applicant.
- The sanitary conditions dictated by the Competent Authority, which are in force at the time of carrying out the activity, must be complied with at all times.
- You must bivouac in the area is oblong (longer than wide), with diameters of 82 and 20 meters. It extends along the outskirts of the left side in the upward direction of the path called Montaña Blanca-Pico Teide, in the section between the points of the UPPER path (28 16 25.50 N and 16 38 18.61 W) and LOWER (28 16 24.79 N and 16 38 16.36 W). The upper level of the perimeter is 3,533 meters and the lower is 3,523 meters high.
Having this OVERNIGHT PERMIT IN THE BIVOU REGIME does not authorize you to access the crater of Pico Teide.
TO ACCESS through the Telesforo Bravo trail TO THE CRATER to see the sunrise or sunset, you must obtain another PERMIT at this same Reservation Center.
Remember: YOU WALK AT YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY.
It is also important to highlight that the climatic conditions at this height are usually extreme, both due to cold and wind, as well as due to high insolation. It is recommended to always bring some warm clothing, suitable footwear and sun protection, whatever the time of the visit.
This activity, which involves an overnight stay, implies that the personal data collected in the corresponding form may be communicated to the State Security Forces and Bodies, by virtue of the provisions of articles 11.2 d) and 22.2 of Organic Law 15/ 1999. The applicant for these activities, when formalizing the authorization request, gives their informed and unequivocal consent for the communication to the Security Forces and Bodies of their personal data collected in this form.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION: The Teide National Park has voluntarily implemented an Environmental Management System based on the UNE-EN ISO 14001:2004 Standard and Regulation (EC) No. 1221/2009 (EMAS), to carry out its conservation and management functions. The development of the Environmental Management System implies transparency in environmental management, compliance with the applicable legislation and undertaking actions that lead to continuous improvement, counting on the participation of all workers to achieve these goals. Visitors and users also play a fundamental role in the maintenance and improvement of the Environmental Management System, by complying with the rules that regulate activities and uses and becoming aware of the necessary conservation of the resources and values of the National Park.