5
May
2023

The 2023 mouflon control campaign kicks off in Tenerife

As with every year, the campaign to cull the mouflon population in the Teide National Park and the Corona Forestal begins in May.

The mouflon (Ovis gmelini) is an invasive species introduced to the summits of Tenerife in the 1970s. It represents a serious threat to the conservation of certain plant communities on the island, which is why every year around this time the authorities conduct a campaign to keep the population in check.

As a result, certain trails and forest tracks in the National Park and the Corona Forestal may be affected. We recommend that you check their condition before setting off if you intend to do any outdoor activities during these months.

The mouflon control activities will be carried out by sectors. Those trails or sections of trails and forest tracks that are within a certain sector will be closed during the day on which control activities are scheduled to take place.

These are the routes affected by the mouflon control campaign, either totally or partially, and the sectors to which they belong:

South-east sector (green - Sector Sureste):
- PR TF 86. El Contador – Parador Nacional
- BC 4. Pinares del Sur and Volcanes Negros
- VM 9. Pista General de Arico

West sector (dark orange - Sector Oeste):
- PR TF 69.1. Chiguergue – Chasogo
- PR TF 70. Guía – Tágara – Boca Tauce
- PR TF 70.1. Tágara – El Jaral
- PR TF 70.2. Llano del Negro – Las Fuentes
- PR TF 70.3. Chavao
- BC 3. Pinar de Chío

North sector (purple - Sector Norte) + South sector (blue - Sector Sur):
- GR 131. Anaga – Chasna
- PR TF 41. Playa del Socorro – Pico Teide (Route 040)
- PR TF 43. Garachico – Chinyero
- PR TF 43.1. San José de los Llanos – Montaña Chinyero
- PR TF 43.2. Los Partidos – Chinyero
- PR TF 43.3. Santiago del Teide – Montaña Chinyero
- PR TF 72. Vilaflor – Lunar Landscape – Vilaflor
- PR TF 83. Altos de Granadilla
- PR TF 83.1. Las Vegas – Los Escurriales
- BC 1. Northern Forest Route
- BC 5. Pinares de Vilaflor
- Pista de Lolita and Pista Caño Chingue
- VM 17. Pista del P.K. 29 (Track at km 29), Pista de las Vistas de Sánchez, Pista Barranco de la Arena and Pista El Lagar
- VM 20. Pista de Arenas Negras, Pista Montaña Las Flores and Pista de Montaña Cascajo
- VM 21. Pista Madre del Agua

Pico Viejo sector (light orange) + Siete Cañadas sector (yellow):
- All trails in the National Park will be affected, with the exception of the following, which will remain open:
  - PNT 01. La Fortaleza, section between El Portillo and the PNT 24. Portillo Alto trail.
  - PNT 03. Roques de García, anti-clockwise section between La Ruleta and the PNT 23. Los Regatones Negros trail.
  - PNT 07. Montaña Blanca – Pico Teide
  - PNT 10. Telesforo Bravo
  - PNT 11. La Fortaleza Viewpoint
  - PNT 12. Pico Viejo Viewpoint
  - PNT 18. Chavao
  - PNT 19. Montaña Majúa
  - PNT 24. Portillo Alto, section from the trailhead to the PNT 01. La Fortaleza trail.
  - PNT 40. Llano de Ucanca – Boca Tauce
  - VM 9. Pista General de Arico
  - Moderate use zone between the PNT 19. Montaña Majúa trail and the TF – 21 road.
  - Moderate use zone between trails PNT 01. La Fortaleza, PNT 24. Portillo Alto and the TF – 21 road.
  - El Portillo special use zone.
  - La Ruleta – Roques de García special use zone.
  - Juan Évora special use zone
  - Cable car base station and accesses
  - Cable car upper station and La Rambleta area.
  - Parador Nacional – Cañada Blanca Visitor Centre – La Ruleta special use zone.
  - El Portillo special use zone
  - Minas de San José
  - Roads and roadside viewpoints
  - El Portillo drinking water supply systems and accesses from the old administrative offices.