With its perpetually sunny climate, Tenerife is the largest and busiest of the Canary Islands. When you think of Tenerife as a holiday destination, you might picture the famous carnival or one of the popular water parks, but Tenerife also offers some of the most stunningly scenic biking routes in Europe. Indeed, professional cyclists often use the mountain roads to practice for their summer competitions. A wide range of businesses offer bike rentals and reasonably priced tours, so choosing to explore the island by bike offers a unique way of discovering Tenerife’s beauty.
* Road conditions:
The roads around the island are cyclist-friendly and well maintained, but before you start planning to bike through Tenerife it is important to realise that there are virtually no flat roads on offer. You will mostly be cycling on winding routes that have a gradient of 5-10%, and a few even have a gradient of around 20%. However, it is the steepness of the routes that will allow you to experience some of the most breath-taking views in the world. The sheer number of available routes also makes it possible to experience quite different views of the same areas; with multiple ways into most of the mountain ranges and secondary roads paralleling the coastal routes, even several weeks in Tenerife will yield a continuing variety of bike rides.
* Mount Teide:
Many of the most famous and popular biking routes in Tenerife include Mount Teide, as this area offers some beautifully diverse surroundings that range from desert-like scenery to lush greenery. Past eruptions of Mount Teide have also left fascinating expanses of terrain that almost look like the surface of the moon. As a bonus, most routes around the Mount Teide area will take you through the picturesque village of Aguamansa, where you can dismount for some relaxation next to the cloud forests.
* The Masca loop:
The Masca loop begins and ends at La Orotava, and the demanding 70 mile journey takes most cyclists around six hours to complete. The small village of Masca is situated in the middle of the Teno Mountain range, and it is the ideal place to stop for some rest and a bite to eat. The steep roads to Masca have a 20% incline before they descend into the village, and the climb out of the village is gruelling, but the rewards are plentiful. Some visitors swear that Masca is one of the most idyllic places on earth, and it isn’t hard to see why; it sits at the head of the stunning Masca gorge and there is an air of peace and untouched beauty surrounding the village.
* La Laguna:
Another circular route begins and ends at La Laguna, exploring the north-east coast of Tenerife. This 50 mile journey is moderate in terms of difficulty, and if you follow the signs to Los Batanes then you can enjoy striking sea views along the winding roads. A particularly notable feature of this route is the tiny bar on the forest path close to Los Batanes; this little haven is famous among cyclists, and you are guaranteed to make new friends if you stop there for a drink during your journey. This particular ride is popular for business team building trips and stag and hen weekends.
Although these three routes are the most well-travelled and offer you a chance to see some of the very best views, there are countless bike rides that will allow you to explore Tenerife. In addition, beginners or solo travellers should not be put off by the difficulty of some of the routes. Many of the cycling tour companies on the island offer guided tours that are tailored to your specific skill level, so almost anyone who is moderately fit can enjoy biking through Tenerife.
