Cycling in Tenerife: The Island the Pros Train On

Tenerife has quietly become one of the world's best winter training grounds. The combination of 3,700 m of climbing, smooth tarmac, little traffic outside the resorts and 20°C winter days has brought the world's pro cycling teams here since the 1990s. You do not need to be a pro to enjoy it — here is how to ride the island.

The classic climbs

• The Teide ascent — the island's signature ride: from sea level in the south up the winding TF-21 to the national park at 2,300 m. Around 60 km and 2,200 m of climbing; stunning at dawn, snow on the summit in winter.
• The west loop — from Los Cristianos through the green Arona mountains and back via Armeñime; a 50–80 km ride with ocean views and rolling climbs.
• The north — around the green valleys of La Orotava, where the roads are quieter and the gradients steeper.

Mountain and gravel

Beyond the tarmac, Tenerife is a gravel paradise: the forest tracks of the Anaga Rural Park and the old paths through the pines around the volcano. These need a gravel or mountain bike and decent lungs, but the reward is empty singletrack above the clouds. The hiking guide and hidden gems pages describe the terrain.

Practical notes

Rentals and guided rides run out of Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas, with carbon road bikes from around €40–60 a day and e-bikes available too. Book in the best riding season — October to April avoids the summer heat. Carry more water than you think: the south-east leg is famously dry. Traffic is lightest before 09:00, which is also the coolest time for the Teide climb.

The island's public bus and rental-car options matter for getting to the start points — many riders base in the south and ride the coastal flats around El Médano on rest days. The viewpoints guide is useful planning, and a how-many-days itinerary can easily swap a beach day for a mountain ride.