800
km
20000
+m+
TRAIL
route
Unpaved route with considerable elevation gain. Mainly goes on double tracks, includes a few rocky single tracks, sandy sections, short hike-a-bikes, and a minimal amount of tarmac to connect everything. For hardtail mountain bikes with low gearing and min 2.2″ wide tires.
ROUTE ALERTS: Tenerife: double tracks are closed after the summer wildfire, follow the alternative route.
It’s a demanding route for experienced riders.
Includes serious climbs,
high mountains, and remote areas.
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Experienced means well trained,
technically skilled, and wisely equipped.
Download the route tracks for free from the link above.
The route may include pedestrian areas or natural parks where cycling is forbidden. You’ll need to dismount and push your bike.
The route is constantly updated with track conditions, road closures and natural area restrictions: don’t trust any other source to download the route!
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You can download the GPX files with no need to create an account on Ride With GPS:
>> Click on More
>> Export as File
>> GPX track (.gpx)
>> Download .gpx File
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Terms of use: ride the routes at your own risk and responsibility. Always check local weather, road closures and natural park rules. Respect public and private land restrictions and traffic laws. Carry proper safety and navigation equipment. Follow the Leave no Trace rules. The information found here is just a planning resource, a starting point to plan your trip with due diligence and common sense. We are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route.
The route is well connected by fast and frequent ferries summing up about 7 hours on board and 200€ total amount.
You can easily buy tickets online or directly at the harbour.
The ferry timetable can change with short notice, always check on ferry company websites.
Check ferries timetable.
The route can be ridden all year long, fall and spring is the best season.
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The landscape is ever-changing because the weather is ever-changing. The islands have different microclimates, depending on altitude, exposure, time of the day, and wind direction.
Expect dry and sunny weather at sea level, mist or rain on the north slopes, and strong winds in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. During the winter, expect cold or freezing temperatures above 1000 meters. Sun radiation is strong all year long.
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In case of unexpected bad weather in the mountains, riding downhill to a lower altitude is always a safe option.
Riding the route in the reverse direction is not recommendable because of strong headwinds in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Fly to Lanzarote – fly back from Tenerife South
The route starts in Lanzarote, just a 40km ride from Lanzarote airport.
The routes end in La Palma, La Gomera or El Hierro, small islands with no international flight connections. To fly back home, you must take the ferry back to Tenerife and fly from Tenerife South airport.
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Resupply
The route requires some planning in stages and resupplies, as it could be a long ride to the next town.
There are no natural water sources, so you must buy all your water.
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Camp and accommodations
Camping is recommended as an enriching experience but only allowed in camping areas. In need of an emergency shelter set up late, strike early and never start fires
Plenty of other accommodation options.
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Bike box transfer from Lanzarote to Tenerife
From 250€ pp –
Including hotel accommodations
Booking and information HERE.
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For 60€ pp –
Only bike box transfer, provided by Vadebicis bike shops
Drop your box at Vadebis Lanzarote – 4 km from Lanzarote Airport (ACE)
Mon-Fri: 10 AM to 6 PM / Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Pick Up your box at Vadebicis Chafiras, Tenerife – 4 km from Tenerife South Airport (TFS)
Mon-Fri: 10 AM to 8 PM / Sat: 10 AM to 1 PM / Closed on Sunday
Delivery time 5 working days.
Booking and information HERE.
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Cardboard bike box
In Tenerife, you can arrange a cardboard bike box at
Bike Point – Las Americas, El Medano
They sell cardboard boxes for 10€ and offer bike cleaning and packing for 30€, please check availability. Then call a taxi to the airport, it’s just a 20-minute drive.
Pack wisely and keep it as light as possible, elevation gain is massive. Bikes shouldn’t weigh more than 20kg excluding water. You could avoid tents and stoves: bivy camp at lower altitudes, find accommodations in high mountains and resupply in bars and supermarkets.
Avoid high-profile rims as side winds can be an issue. Avoid fancy bikes as storing them on ferries may result in scratches or cosmetic damage.
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BIKE: low gearing and comfortable tyre width.
GEAR: min 2 litres of water capacity, night lights, GPS device.
TOOL KIT: multi-tool, chain lube, chain tool, chain links, tubeless repair kit, spare tube, brake pad, valve core.
CLOTHING: thermal gloves, waterproof jacket, down jacket.
EXTRAS: sunscreen, water purification tablets, mosquito repellent.
SLEEPING SYSTEM: keep it light, go with a bivy setup and sleep at low altitudes.
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LEAVE NO TRACE
Leave everything as you found it, or better.
Dispose of, remove and recycle waste.
Never start campfires.
1.LZ
120 km
LANZAROTE
2.450 m+
Black lava fields, white houses, and green vineyards.
Lanzarote is a ride on the moon
ORZOLA
30 km
1200 m+
4 hrs
○ Haria: historic town.
TEGUISE
Historic Town, former capital.
25 km
150 m+
2 hrs
EL JABLE
Sandy desert
○ Famara – surf village, impressive sandy beach that lays under a massive cliff
LA SANTA
35 km
500 m+
3 hrs
TIMANFAYA
National Park result of the 17th-century volcanic eruption. Unique and extraterrestrial landscape.
LA GERIA
Vineyards cultivated digging circular pits in the volcanic ash. A unique technique that produces excellent Malvasia wines and creates an impressive landscape.
YAiZA
RESUPPLY
30 km
600 m+
4 hrs
LOS AJACHES
Remote desert made of arid mountains, rocky ravines, and black sand beaches.
◇ hike-a-bike sections
PAPAGAYO
Sandy beaches with cristal clear water.
PLAYA BLANCA
LOGISTICS
Camp: no official camping areas on the route. In need of an emergency shelter set up late and strike early. Never start campfires.
Resupply: Yaiza, before entering Los Ajaches remote area.
Accommodation: Sands Beach Costa Teguise, Finca la Corona Ye, Finca la Crucita 80€ Haría, Palacio Ico 125€ Teguise, La Era BnB 85€ Yaiza, Casona 65€ Yaiza, hotels in Playa Blanca.
FERRY
Lanzarote (Playa Blanca) - Fuerteventura (Corralejo)
+
Time
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
2.FV
160 km
Fuerteventura
2.600 m+
White beaches, sand dunes, and remote deserts.
Fuerteventura feels like Africa.
Corralejo
30 km
100 m+
2 hrs
NORTH SHORE
Scenic coastline, sandy beaches.
COTILLO
75 km
1.500 m+
6 hrs
TYNDAYA
Rocky desert.
○ Puertito: village, beach
○ Llanos de Concepción – RESUPPLY
BETANCURIA
Remote rocky desert.
◇ hike-a-bike sections
○ Ajuy: village, beach
PAJARA
30 km
600 m+
2 hrs
COSTA CALMA
30 km
400 m+
2 hrs
SOTAVENTO
Sandy beach, lagoons.
MORRO JABLE
LOGISTICS
Camp: no official camping areas on the route. In need of an emergency shelter set up late and strike early. Never start campfires.
Resupply: Llanos de Concepción, before entering Betancuria desert.
Accommodation: Hotel Rural Huerto Viejo Tesejerague 75€, hotels and AirBnB in Corralejo and Costa Calma
FERRY
Fuerteventura (Morro Jable) - Gran Canaria (Las Palmas)
+
Time
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
IMPORTANT: This ferry connection often change timetable with a short notice, always check on Fred Olsen website
3.GC
140 km
GRAN CANARIA
3.950 m+
Deep ravines, enormous cliffs,
and aboriginal caves.
LAS PALMAS
30 km
600 m+
2 hrs
TELDE
50 km
2.100 m+
6 hrs
Epic sea to summit climb.
□ Llanos de Pez: camping area, water
TEJEDA
Historic town – RESUPPLY
60 km
1.300 m+
5 hrs
SACRED MOUNTAINS
Scenic landscape made of peaks, cliffs and ravines. Vestige of a pre-hispanic culture with thousands of caves and ritual temples. UNESCO world heritage.
TAMADABA
TIRMA
Dreamy double track winding into a deep ravine.
AGAETE
LOGISTICS
Camp: El Bailico (no services), Llanos de la Pez (water, wc, bbq).
Resupply: Telde, before the long climb. Tejeda, before entering Tirma remote area
Accommodation: Finca la Isa 25€ Tejeda, Parador 120€ Cruz de Tejeda, Casa Calma 17€ Agaete, Hotel Puerto Las Nieves 50€ Agaete.
FERRY
Gran Canaria (Agaete) - Tenerife (Santa Cruz)
+
Time
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
4.TF
170 km
TENERIFE
4.600 m+
Enchanted forests, old colonial towns
and a massive volcano.
Santa Cruz
55 km
1.700 m+
5 hrs
ANAGA
Rugged peaks and deep ravines, covered by a lush green laurel tree forest, usually shrouded in mist well deserves the name of “enchanted forest”.
✻ Cold – Wet Weather
○ LA LAGUNA – funded by the end of the 15th century, former capital and oldest university of the canary islands. It’s the first non-fortified Spanish colonial city.
UNESCO world heritage site.
LA Esperanza
95 km
2.650 m+
10 hrs
Mt. TEIDE
Massive volcano rising 3700 meters above the ocean and over the clouds. Covered in snow during the winter, it’s surrounded by lava fields and pine forests. UNESCO world heritage site.
◇ 30 minutes hike-a-bike at km 130
VILAFLOR
25 km
0 m+
1 hrs
LOS CRISTIANOS
LOGISTICS
Camp: La Caldera (water, wc, bbq), Madre del Agua (water)
Resupply: La Esperanza, before the long climb to Mt. Teide
Accommodation: Albergue de Anaga 20€ Anaga, Patio Hostel 20€ La Laguna, Aguere Nest Hostel 20€ La Laguna, Grand Hotel 80€ La Laguna, Hotel las Cañadas 35€ La Esperanza, Hospedaje tu Sitio 45€ La Esperanza, Parador 100€ Cañadas del Teide, Spa Villalba 150€ Vilaflor, Hotel Rural 30€ Vilaflor
FERRY
Tenerife (Los Cristianos) - La Palma (Santa Cruz)
+
Time
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
5.LP
190 km
LA PALMA
6.450 m+
Pristine forests, bananas plantations,
rugged volcanoes, and clear night skies.
SANTA Cruz
20 km
800 m+
2 hrs
Bananas plantations
Puntallana
RESUPPLY !!!
45 km
2.050 m+
6 hrs
Roque De Los Muchachos
Epic sea to summit climb.
Roque del Faro
abandoned town
50 km
1.400 m+
4 hrs
CUMBRE NUEVA
Fast double track in a pristine pine forest.
TAZACORTE
10 km
650 m+
2 hrs
□ Los Llanos – Historic Town surrounded by bananas plantations
EL PASO
60 km
1.550 m+
6 hrs
CUMBRE VIEJA
Recent volcanic eruptions that created a unique landscape made of green pine trees, black lava and red volcanic gravel.
SANTA CRUZ
LOGISTICS
Camp: El Pilar (water, wc, bbq), Madre del Agua (water)
Resupply: Puntalla, before the endless climb to Roque de Los Muchachos. Roque Faro, restaurant open from 7 am to 9 pm and closed on Sunday. El Paso, before the loop around Cumbre Vieja.
Accommodation: Hotelito 27 50€ Santa Cruz, Hacienda de Abajo 170€ Tazacorte, Hostel Vagamundo 17€ Llanos de Aridane Albergue Casa Jurado 20€ El Paso Parador de la Palma 120€ Breña Baja.
Fly back home: the best option is Tenerife South airport. Take the ferry back to Tenerife Los Cristianos, arrange a cardboard bike box in one of the many bike shops in town and take a taxi to the airport, it’s just 20 minutes drive.