Upon arrival arrive in Gran Canaria, Love Velo will be waiting to take you to the hotel. Choose from one of our many hotels in Maspalomas or Meloneras or let us know if there is another area you would like to stay in.
Gran Canaria is a massive Volcano. This means that heading inland will involve lots of ascent. Riding to Soria however is probably the best way to get acclimatised. At only just over 700m above sea level, you can ride to Soria and experience stunning views of Tenerife to the west, and the jagged hills and valleys as you ride. For a longer day, tag this on to the western ascent of Pico de las Nieves or ride north to the Valley of the Tears
Pico de las Nieves is Gran Canaria’s highest peak at just under 2,000m. It’s an almost constant ascent from the coast but unlike Mt Teide in Tenerife, it does offer some respite with the occasional plateau on the climb. Nonetheless, this is a tough ride and we reocmend you ride it via Aguimes to the east. Summit the climb and be rewarded with views of Roque Nublo, literally meaning Rock in the Clouds.
Gruelling climbs are scattered throughout this ride. Head up to the Tauro Pass from Maspalomas and you’ll cover close to 1,000m of climbing. You can ride to Soria or if you fancy a day of nothing but unrelenting climbing, find the Valley of the Tears on the G606 for a ride that provides 12km, at an average of 11%, with ramps at a whopping 25%! An out and back will see you ride 2,000m across 120km.
Clear sparkling sea. Pristine roads. Volcanic rock coastal landscapes. The route to Taurito has it all. Simply follow the one road westward up and down short inclines through seafronts and between craggy walls. Once at Taurito, an abundance of cafe’s make it hard to say no to a coffee. Head back on the Atlantic sea road, and perhaps even take a quick dip in one of the various beaches that tempt you along the way.
Let us know your flight times and we can transfer you from your hotel to the airport. Or, extend your stay and spend more time discovering the island on our number of alternative cycling routes.
Home to the Valley of the Tears, Gran Canaria is a great option if you’re looking for warm weather training. Like Tenerife, there’s plenty of climbing and with slick and well maintained roads, you can truly test yourself on the bike.
It is also a great destination for less seasoned riders, offering benefits to people with varying levels of experience. We recommend basing yourself in the south. Maspalomas is home to a huge number of hotels but for a quieter more luxurious stay, head a few km east to Meloneras.
