Cycling Holidays to the Canary Islands

Cycling Canary Islands delivers year-round sunshine, smooth roads and big volcanic views. From Tenerife’s epic climbs and Lanzarote’s otherworldly lava landscapes to the flowing mountain roads of Gran Canaria, every ride feels like an adventure. It’s the perfect place to ride further, challenge yourself, and soak up island life.

What is the Best Canary Island for Cycling?

Road Cycling in Tenerife

If you’re searching for the best Canary Island for cycling, Tenerife is the clear winner for climbers. While the other islands offer great riding, Tenerife is in a league of its own thanks to its relentless elevation, long mountain roads, and some of the most iconic ascents in Europe. This is not an island for flat, steady cruising. Tenerife is defined by one thing, ascents and descents. Most rides here involve climbing early, climbing often, and then descending fast back toward the coast. For cyclists who love elevation gain, Tenerife is as close to paradise as it gets.

Tenerife has become a go-to destination for serious road cyclists because the terrain forces you to ride like a climber. It’s an island that rewards strength, pacing, and patience. You can head out from sea level and climb continuously for hours, often finishing your ride above the clouds. Listen to Lee, our CEO, talk on Rouvy's podcast, about why you have to cycle in Tenerife if you're considering the Canaries The climbs here aren’t short punchy efforts. They are long, steady, and relentless, the type of routes that build fitness fast and leave you with unforgettable memories.

Mount Teide: The Ultimate Tenerife Climb

The centrepiece of cycling in Tenerife is Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak and one of the most famous climbs in Europe. Riding up Teide is an experience that every climber should have on their bucket list. The most remarkable part is the sheer scale of the ascent. Many routes offer up to 50km of uninterrupted climbing from sea level, with the gradient rarely letting you rest. As you rise higher, the scenery changes dramatically, from coastal roads and pine forests to wide open volcanic landscapes that feel almost lunar.

One of the most popular and highly rated routes is the western ascent, a favourite among experienced riders. It offers a stunning and consistent climb, and is widely considered one of the best ways to experience Teide. Another standout approach is the south-eastern route, which offers its own unique feel and is a brilliant option for riders wanting a slightly different challenge.

Masca: Tenerife’s Wild West

While Teide is Tenerife’s crown jewel, no cycling trip to the island is complete without tackling Masca. Masca is one of the most dramatic roads in Tenerife, carved into the mountains with steep gradients, sharp switchbacks, and breathtaking views down into the gorge. Ride from Santiago del Teide to the north shore, passing through banana plantations and typical Canarian hamlets, until you arrive at the wild shores of the Atlantic. From here, it's a relentless climb until a short forgiving section where the views are sensational. You will then face the Masca Wall, a ride of such intensity and fierce elevation that it takes serious trainign and mental fortitude to summit.

Cycling in Lanzarote

If Tenerife is the island for climbers, Lanzarote is the island for rolling volcanic terrain, expansive road loops and dramatic scenery. Cycling in Lanzarote is about distance, variety and unique landscapes, rather than long continuous ascents. Unlike the large volcano-dominated islands like Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Lanzarote’s landscape is defined by undulating roads, lava fields, rugged moonscapes and coastal loops. The lack of one huge central peak means you won’t find super long climbs like on Teide, but you’ll ride a diverse mix of terrain, from gentle hills to punchy rollers, with constant visual reward.

Volcanic Roads and Lava Fields

One of the defining features of cycling in Lanzarote is the volcanic landscape you ride through day after day. Routes take you across the Timanfaya National Park, where stark black lava fields stretch left and right and rocky volcano cones punctuate the horizon. Riding here feels almost other-worldly and is one of the reasons Lanzarote is such a compelling road cycling destination.

Timanfaya National Park Loop

A favourite long ride starts in Puerto del Carmen and heads directly into the foothills of Timanfaya National Park. From there you cycle through volcanic terrain, past the vineyards of La Geria — where stone walls protect vines from strong winds — and enjoy a series of rolling climbs and descents before looping back toward the coast.

Mirador del Río Ride

Another standout route takes you from the east of the island up toward Mirador del Río, a spectacular viewpoint on the northern tip of Lanzarote looking out over the Atlantic and the Chinijo Archipelago. The road to Mirador del Río has a steady gradient and rewards you with unforgettable panoramic views once you reach the top.

Biking in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is another outstanding Canary Island for road cycling, offering a terrain that blends challenging climbs, varied landscapes and long riding days. If you’ve already tasted climbing in Tenerife and want a different set of routes that still push your limits, Gran Canaria deserves its place on your list. The island’s unique topography, dominated by a central volcano, means you’re almost always climbing or descending when you ride here, making it a perfect training ground for strong riders.

Gran Canaria may not be as widely known as Tenerife or Lanzarote as a cycling destination, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. The island offers spectacular road riding with a mix of long ascents, punchy climbs and unforgettable scenery. From the deep interior valleys to volcanic peaks and the Atlantic-lined coast, every ride here feels distinctive and rewarding.

One of the most striking aspects of cycling in Gran Canaria is the opportunity to ride a long uninterrupted climb comparable to Tenerife. Starting at the south coast in Maspalomas, you can climb directly to Pico de las Nieves, the highest point on the island. This route delivers sustained elevation gain and panoramic views across forests, craggy interior terrain and even to neighbouring islands on clear days.

Valley of the Tears

One of the most famous climbs on the island is the Valley of the Tears. This ascent is not long in distance, but it is fierce. The gradient rarely drops, averaging over 11% with sections of up to 25% under the intense sun, making it a mental and physical challenge for any rider who takes it on.

Pico de las Nieves

Pico de las Nieves sits at just under 2,000 m and is the highest cycling point on Gran Canaria. From the coast, you can ride up via routes through towns like Agüimes or Arteara, tackling roughly 45 km of climbing with over 2,000 m of vertical gain, a substantial challenge rivaling Tenerife’s great ascents. Along the way the road offers some brief flattening sections before pushing you up to expansive summit views where you can see Roque Nublo and, on clear days, Tenerife on the horizon.

Soria

For a slightly shorter climb with stunning views, Soria is a popular ascent from the south. Starting from Maspalomas or Meloneras, this climb takes you up a rolling road that eventually switches back toward a 360-degree lookout over rugged hills and valleys.

Tauro Pass

The Tauro Pass climb gives riders a lively mix of rollers and punchy gradients as you head inland from Taurito up through Mogán. It’s perfect as part of a longer day that combines multiple climbs or as a standalone challenge before a coastal cafe stop.