Why Cycle in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is a popular and well known Canary Island but its base as a cycling destination is perhaps not as well known. Cyclists are very aware of what Lanzarote & Tenerife can offer but Gran Canaria doesn’t have the same profile. We think it should as it’s easily on a par with other Canary Islands.
Firstly, the cycling is sensational. Many people know about the climb of Mt Teide on Tenerife, but did you know that you can also ride a similarly unbroken climb of close to 50km in Gran Canaria? That ride starts in Maspalomas. From here, you will ride up to the top of Pico de las Nieves, the highest point in the centre of Gran Canaria. At just below 2,000m above sea level, you’ll have uninterrupted views out over the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You can also see Roque Nublo, literally translated as Rock in the Clouds. Tenerife will be in view on a clear day as well as the Atlantic stretching out to the horizon.
View from Pico las Nieves with Mt Teide in the background
Secondly, the island also offers other smaller punchier climbs, toughest than Lanzarote, but perhaps not quote as tough as Tenerife. Climb up to Soria for stunning views over the National Park, or ride deep into the heart of Gran Canaria’s craggy interior, and take on the epic Valley of the Tears. The VOTT is a 12km unrelenting climb under the intense sun, with sections ramping up to a massive 25%.
Finally, we love cycling in Gran Canaria as there are budgets for all types of traveller. Maspalomas offers well priced accommodation whilst Meloneras, just down the beach, offers a more luxurious setting with some fantastic hotels.
The Best Routes & Rides
If you want to cycle in Gran Canaria it’s likely that you will want to cycle the main climbs on the island. Our cycling holidays in Gran Canaria are based in the south of the island, in Maspalomas and in Meloneras. We think that is area the perfect base to climb from as you can ride directly north to enjoy the climb of Soria, from the east or west to ride Pico de las Nieves, or north west to hit the Valley of the Tears. The Tauro Pass will also be very close by.
Valley of the Tears
The Valley of the Tears is probably the most well known climb on the island, probably because of its name. It is indeed a tear inducing ride, as whilst it’s only a 12.4km ascent, (compared to 45km if you ride from Maspalomas to Pico de las Nieves), the gradient rarely falls below 11%. There are sections at a huge 25% and the ramps begin almost immediately. There is no acclimatisation to the climb, or breaks to provide respite. This is simply a tough climb whichever way you look at it.
The climb also begins from close to the centre of the island and with the surrounding cliffs and hot sunshine, this can be a sweltering a ride even in Spring or Autumn.
The Valley of the Tears
Pico de las Nieves
The highest point in Gran Canaria is Pico de Las Nieves, in the centre of the island. If you’re riding from Maspalomas or Meloneras, you can choose to ride via Arteara or Agiumes. Whichever route you choose, the climb is tough and long as you’ll ride from sea level to 2,000m across approximately 45km. That’s a fairly similar ride to Mt Teide in Tenerife.
Our favourite route up goes via Aguimes to the east of the island. In recent years the old town has been restored so it’s a great place to watch the world go. Stop here either before your ascent to the top of Pico de las Nieves, or as a reward on your descent. It’s a typical Canarian hill town with a church in the middle and cobbled streets displaying a slow pace of life. The hillside also still has unique cave houses that are hundreds of years old and which now offer a new type of eco tourism.
The church at Aguimes
Once you pass through Aguimes, this is where the climb really starts to kick up. You’ll ride over 1,600m in the last half of your ride. The interesting thing about this climb though is that there are occasional breaks in the climb to provide slight relief for aching legs. Just outside Arteaga, after Fataga, and as you enter the Riscos de Tirajana National park, there are mini descents.
Once you’ve summited, you will get 360 views of Roque Nublo (rock in the clouds) as well as Mt Teide dominating the horizon.
View of Pico las Nieves at dusk
Soria
Soria is a great ride from Maspalomas. You can enjoy a ride up to 700m above sea level, enjoy some stunning views and head back to Taurito for lunch at the beach. The climb to Soria averages about 8% and kicks off just past Puerto de Morgan. By this point you will have ridden about 400m of ascent before a gentle plateau to Puerto de Morgan. From here, it’s 8.5km to the lookout. You will be rewarded with 360 degree views of craggy peaks, sheer cliffs and the waters of Embalse de Soria beneath you.
If you want to tag Pico de las Nieves to the ride, descend out of Soria and take the first right just after Baranquillo Andres for a mammoth climb up to the highest peak in Gran Canaria.
Tauro Pass
Our final route we recommend you riding is the Tauro Pass, to the west of Soria and south of both Pico de las Nieves and the Valley of the Tears.
Ride up the coast to the beach at Taurito and climb from there to Mogán. You’ll hit plenty of switchbacks and you can checkout the amazing lookouts which give you great views of Tenerife to the west. Once you’ve summited the climb, you can ride up north to any of the other climbs listed above, or head back towards the coast for a well earned coffee and piece of cake.
The coast at Taurito
Where to Stay
Maspalomas
Most of our cyclists stay in Maspalomas to the south. It is a cosmopolitan town with plenty of restaurants and bars. It’s really popular with cyclists, golfers, families and pretty much anyone else who enjoys sunshine, beaches and relaxation. The reason we love it is that you can ride all the climbs above pretty easily without needing guiding. There are also plenty of other cyclists in Maspalomas so if you are a solo rider, we can tag you on to plenty of groups that ride regularly in the winter months.
The Sand Dunes at Maspalomas
Meloneras
If you’re looking for something a little more upmarket, head down the beach to Meloneras, a few kilometres from Maspalomas. Meloneras is a little more sophisticated and has plenty of great 5* resorts and fantastic cycling friendly hotels.
Other Areas
You could choose to stay somewhere like Taurito or Puerto de Mogán (the “little Venice of Gran Canaria) for a more traditional stay. The fishing ports are home to boutique hotels, restaurants serving the freshest sea food and great beaches.
If you want to stay in the hills, this will be a totally different experience to the hustle and bustle of the beach towns. You need to remember though that your options off the bike will be limited. Most accommodation will be small and traditional, as will the restaurants and bars.
Colourful houses by the water in Puerto de Mogan