A rural guard warns of the increase in hikers leaving the official paths in the Anaga Rural Park to take photos, invading private properties and damaging the environment.
The Anaga Massif, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, faces a new threat: the invasion of private estates by hikers who disregard the approved routes. Rural guard Pedro Pérez has reported that some walkers mark with blue paint paths exclusively for the owners to avoid getting lost and then upload the images to social media.
A dangerous trend for natural heritage
According to Pérez, this practice has become a dangerous trend among certain visitors, who leave the official paths solely to obtain spectacular photographs. The problem has been detected on the private path linking Cabezo de los Charcos with Roque Chiguel.
The rural guard warns that it is prohibited to leave the approved paths, identified with the PR mark. Walking outside of them causes severe deterioration of the natural environment, damages flora and fauna, increases the risk of erosion, and violates the property rights of the affected estate owners.
“These behaviours are completely incompatible with the conservation of the Anaga Rural Park and will not be tolerated,” says Pedro Pérez.
Increased surveillance and reports
The Anaga Rural Guard has announced that surveillance in the area will be intensified. All detected violations will be reported, and the corresponding administrative or legal responsibilities will be demanded.
Pérez emphasizes that the natural heritage of Anaga must be respected. “Anyone visiting this space has the obligation to do so in compliance with the regulations and exclusively using the authorized paths,” he states.
For the residents of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and nature lovers, this situation poses a risk to one of the green lungs of the island. The Anaga Massif, declared a Biosphere Reserve, receives thousands of visitors each year, and the pressure on its paths is increasing.
The Rural Guard reminds that fines for these violations can be substantial, and any behaviour that harms the environment will be pursued. Citizen collaboration is key to reporting these bad practices.
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