Road cycling routes in Tenerife

Tenerife – A Winter Mecca for Cyclists ☀️🚴‍♂️

Tenerife is the most cycling-friendly of the Canary Islands. And no, that's not a coincidence. In winter, when Europe puts on knee warmers and fires up Zwift, here you get 25°C by the ocean, snow at 2300 m, dozens of climbs, altitude training opportunities, and a variety of routes that can easily keep you busy for several months of riding without boredom.

This is a place where you can train, explore, or suffer on climbs – in whatever proportions you prefer. If you like all of the above at once, welcome home.

Why Tenerife?

☀️ stable, predictable winter weather

🏔 climbs from sea level to 2300 m

🌋 volcanic landscapes and the Las Cañadas caldera

🌴 ocean, beaches, and a complete climate change in 20 minutes of riding

🚗 good infrastructure and high driving culture among motorists

🗺 enormous route planning possibilities – road, gravel, MTB

If Calpe is the classic training base, Tenerife is its wilder, more epic version.

Weather and "Weather Management"

The island is divided into two weather zones: the southern part is dry, sunny, and hot; the northern part is humid, often foggy, with lower temperatures and rain.

• clouds often hang at 600–1400 m
• sunshine by the ocean, but fog and moisture 20 km away
• rain? usually localised

What to wear on the bike?

👕 short sleeves – 90% of the time

🧤 arm warmers + vest – mandatory

🧥 light jacket / long sleeve jersey for descents

❄️ in the caldera it can be 10°C or less

📉 Assume: -1°C for every 200 m of elevation gain

How to Get to Tenerife?

The easiest and fastest way is by plane. Tenerife has two airports:

Tenerife South (TFS) – the main tourist airport, located close to the popular resorts in the southern part of the island.

Tenerife North (TFN) – a smaller airport, closer to the capital Santa Cruz and northern attractions.

Practical Tips

Book in advance – the earlier you buy your ticket, the better chance of getting the best price, especially if you're planning to transport a bike.

Bike luggage – check the weight limits and bike transport rules for your airline. Most carriers allow 30–32 kg for bike and equipment, but require advance booking.

Car rental after landing – if you're planning to explore the island or drive to different cycling routes, it's worth booking a car at the airport straight away.

Car Rental

Renting a car in Tenerife is common, relatively cheap, and very convenient, especially from a cyclist's perspective. A car gives you complete freedom in planning routes: you can easily get to the mountains, switch sides of the island depending on the weather, or drive to the starting point of a long climb without having to "fight through" urban sections.

Many rental companies operate on the island – both international chains and local firms with good reviews and reasonable prices. A car is particularly useful if you:

• stay away from the main cycling routes,
• want to ride in different parts of the island,
• plan long climbs and returns by a different route,
• travel with a lot of cycling equipment.

Tenerife has excellent transport connections – the network of motorways and expressways is in great condition, and getting from one end of the island to the other takes a maximum of about 1.5 hours.

Where to Stay?

Your choice of accommodation in Tenerife genuinely affects the quality and comfort of your riding. Before booking, it's worth answering two key questions:

• how much sunshine and good weather do you want in winter?
• how quickly after leaving your accommodation will you reach sensible, quiet roads?

South of the Island

The southern part of Tenerife is the most popular with tourists – and for good reason. It's a guarantee of warmth, sunshine, and stable weather, especially in winter. There are also many hotels and apartments with amenities that support post-training recovery.

The downside is more tourist traffic and slightly higher accommodation prices. However, if you decide to rent a car, you don't need to worry about getting to cycling routes – in a short time you can reach both the high parts of the island and the quieter roads of the north.

North and Interior

The north of the island is greener and quieter, but can be cooler and more humid in winter. For cyclists focused on long climbs and mountain riding, this can still be a very attractive option – especially with a good weather forecast.

Free Campsites

Tenerife is one of the few places in Spain where free public campsites are a real and sensible accommodation option – including for cyclists travelling on a budget or bikepacking.

Public Campsites (Área de Acampada)

The island has a network of official, free campsites managed by local authorities (Cabildo de Tenerife).

The current list and reservations are available here: 👉 https://centralreservas.tenerife.es/?a=5

Key features of these campsites:

• fully legal,
• usually well maintained,
• often in excellent locations – in pine forests, in the mountains, close to popular cycling routes.

They typically offer:

• toilets,
• running water,
• tent pitches,
• tables and benches,
• sometimes barbecues.

Example Locations

Las Lajas – excellent base in the central part of the island, close to long climbs

Chío – good option in the west, great for routes around Teide

La Caldera – high in the mountains; beautiful views, but cold nights

Reservations and Rules

• a free camping permit (permiso de acampada) is required,
• reservations are made online on the Cabildo de Tenerife website,
• there's a stay limit – usually a few nights in one place.

➡️ The procedure is simple, but it's worth planning your reservation in advance, especially in winter season.

Wild Camping – Important Information

• camping outside official sites is formally prohibited,
• checks are rare, but fines are real,
• if you want to sleep cheaply and stress-free – official campsites are the best and safest option.

Bike: Bring or Rent?

This is one of the key questions before a cycling trip to Tenerife. The answer depends mainly on the length of your stay, how often you'll ride, and your equipment expectations.

When Is It Worth Bringing Your Own Bike?

Your own bike is the best option if you:

• are flying for at least 2 weeks,
• plan regular training (several times a week),
• want to ride equipment you know and have perfectly fitted.

The cost of transporting a bike by plane is usually around 50-70 € each way (depending on the airline).

Most carriers offer a weight limit of 30–32 kg, which in practice is enough for:

• bike,
• shoes, helmet,
• tools,
• spare parts and cycling clothing.

➡️ Packing: a bike box "will do," but if you're planning more flights or travel frequently with a bike, a bike bag (Evoc, Thule, Scicon, etc.) definitely saves your mental health, back, and... the paint on your frame.

Bike Rental in Tenerife

If you don't want to or can't bring your own bike, Tenerife is one of the best places in Europe to rent cycling equipment. The island has been attracting both amateurs and professional cyclists as well as entire teams for years – which is why the standard of rental shops is really high.

What Can You Rent?

Standard offerings at good rental shops include:

• modern road bikes with carbon frames (Shimano Ultegra / Dura-Ace, SRAM Force / Red),
• carbon or aluminium wheels – your choice,
• Garmin or Wahoo computers,
• pedals: SPD-SL, Look, SPD,
• helmets and basic service accessories.

➡️ Fit is key – professional rental shops adjust saddle height, stem length, and select gearing for the customer. Thanks to this, even on a rental bike you can easily do long, mountain training sessions.

Rental Cost

💰 Price: usually 40–70 € per day

The longer the rental period, the more favourable the daily rate – with a week or two the difference is very noticeable.

What to Eat and Drink in Tenerife?

Tenerife is a very underrated culinary destination. The cuisine is simple, local, and perfectly suited to cyclists' needs: lots of carbohydrates, salt, and filling portions that help recovery after long routes. Plus great coffee and local wines – perfect for relaxing after a ride.

Canarian Cuisine Classics

🥔 Papas arrugadas – small potatoes cooked in heavily salted seawater, served with spicy mojo rojo or green mojo verde (with coriander).

🐟 Ocean fish – vieja, cherne, dorada; usually grilled and served in minimalist form, without unnecessary complications.

🥩 Carne de cabra – stewed goat meat, a classic after a hard ride in the mountains.

🍲 Ropa vieja – a filling stew of chickpeas, meat, and vegetables, great for recovery.

🍌 Plátano de Canarias – sweeter and smaller than regular bananas, ideal for a quick energy boost on the route.

🥖 Bocadillo – sandwiches with serrano ham, tortilla, or tuna, available almost everywhere.

Coffee and Sweet Things

☕ Barraquito – Canarian layered coffee: condensed milk, espresso, Licor 43, milk, and cinnamon.

☕ Leche leche – a simpler version with condensed milk, very popular in local cafés.

🍰 Bienmesabe – a sweet almond dessert, an island classic.

Arepas and Cachapas – Why Are They Everywhere?

During your stay in Tenerife, you'll quickly notice that arepas and cachapas are almost as popular as bocadillo or tortilla. This is the result of historical emigration of Canarians to Venezuela and Latin America in the 20th century. When the emigrants' descendants returned to the islands, they brought back flavours that are now everyday fare in Tenerife.

Arepas – corn cakes, crispy on the outside and soft inside, stuffed with cheese, meat, avocado, or egg.

Cachapas – thicker, sweeter corn cakes, usually served with stretchy white cheese.

➡️ The result? Tenerife's cuisine is a mix of Spain, the Atlantic, and Latin America – filling and ideal after a long day on the bike.

Wine and Local Drinks

🍷 Tenerife wines – mainly from the northern part of the island, volcanic soils give them a unique character.

🍶 Ron miel – honey rum, a traditional drink that works great for post-ride recovery.

Where to Eat?

Guachinche – local, informal eateries at homes or farms, cheap and authentic.

Small bars by the road – often unassuming, but they serve the best food.

➡️ The rule is simple: eat where the locals eat, not where the menu is in five languages.

What to Do Besides Cycling?

Tenerife isn't just narrow roads and impressive elevation gains. Even if you're here mainly "for training," sooner or later you'll appreciate rest days – time for a walk, relaxation, and exploring the island. Tenerife lets you slow down without feeling like you're missing training, which is its huge advantage over other cycling destinations.

Places Worth Seeing

🌋 Teide National Park – a must-see on the island. You can drive up to near the summit, take the cable car, or go for a walk around the caldera and volcanic landscapes. The views are truly spectacular.

🌊 Los Gigantes – massive cliffs best admired from a boat. The impression is striking, especially at sunset.

🌿 Anaga Rural Park – ideal for trekking. Laurel forests, viewpoints, and wild trails let you escape from everyday life.

🏖 Playa de Benijo – a wild, northern beach with black sand and a rugged landscape. Great for photos and a peaceful walk.

🏘 La Laguna – a historic town with colonial architecture, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A stroll through the cobbled streets is a true journey back in time.

Active Recovery

You don't have to completely give up movement to rest. Several forms of light activity will keep your body moving and speed up recovery:

• walks around the Teide caldera
• trekking in Anaga
• ocean swimming – if you like cold water, it's a great way to cool down your muscles
• light "recovery rides" around the coast

Food and Towns

Tenerife is also a great opportunity to discover local cuisine and towns beyond the main cycling routes:

Santa Cruz – the capital with tapas bars and normal city life

Garachico – a picturesque little town with natural lava pools, ideal for a short stop

Puerto de la Cruz – old town, ocean, and promenade; a great place for an evening stroll after a full day of training

Tenerife allows for full recovery of both body and mind. You can ride intensively one day and the next explore, walk, or relax by the ocean – all surrounded by the island's spectacular nature and climate.

Charcos – Natural Lava Pools

Natural lava pools in Tenerife, known as charcos, are among the island's most characteristic attractions. They formed in places where solidified volcanic lava created natural basins right by the ocean line. During high tides, these pools fill with salty, crystal-clear Atlantic water, creating unique bathing spots in a rugged, volcanic landscape.

Why Are Charcos So Popular?

Unlike the open ocean, natural pools often offer calmer water, sheltered from large waves. This makes them suitable for both swimming and snorkelling, as well as for relaxing with views of cliffs and the endless ocean. Many of them are partially developed – with ladders, platforms, or walkways – but retain their natural character.

Where Are the Best Lava Pools?

Most spectacular charcos are located on Tenerife's northern coast, where the island has its wildest and greenest character.

Garachico – El Caletón: the most famous natural pools on the island, ideal for families and those looking for easy access.

Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo: extensive pool complexes with views of the mighty Anaga cliffs, popular with residents.

Charcos del Diablo (near Los Abrigos): more natural and less crowded, particularly attractive for those seeking peace and contact with nature.

What Should You Watch Out For?

Although charcos are safer than swimming in the open ocean, weather conditions and sea state are crucial. In strong winds, some pools may be closed or dangerous, so it's always worth checking local warnings.

Natural lava pools are an excellent alternative to Tenerife's classic beaches – they allow you to combine ocean bathing with close contact with the island's volcanic nature.