Adventure Canaries
Character
The island needs to be conquered. The most interesting routes are mainly found in the various mountain regions, which means that a good level of fitness and gearing are advisable. On certain routes, some public buses (it is best to enquire in advance!) also take limited numbers of bicycles. The tours are mostly on the island's tarmac roads, although some sections unfortunately have a lot of car traffic.
Tour tip:
Teno Mountains
A difficult, approx. 45 km long, but extremely scenic tour with some steep climbs leads from Garachico along the north coast to Buenavista del Norte and further into the mountains to El Palmar and Masca, up to Santiago del Teide and Puerto de Erjos and from there back to Garachico (possibly with excursions to Icod de Los Vinos or the Teno lighthouse).
Best time to travel
All year round (it can get warm in July and August); marvellous in January and February during the almond blossom.
Arrival
Holiday jets depart daily from several airports in Germany to Tenerife South, some also to Tenerife North, e.g. Condor, Air Berlin and TUIfly. Taking a bike costs 30 to 50 euros.
Bike shops/rental
You should be self-sufficient in the mountains. Otherwise, there is bike hire and service in Puerto de la Cruz (Calle Mazaroco, edf. Daniela 26, bajo, opposite the bus station, tel. 0034/922 37 60 81, www.mtb-active.com) and in Playa de las Americas (Diga Sports, Avda. Rafael Puig, 23, Tel. 0034/922 79 30 09, www.diga-sports.de
Hotel tips
There is a large selection of accommodation in different categories on the coast, but not so much in the mountains.
For mountain fans: The only building in the Teide National Park is the Parador Las Cañadas del Teide, tel. 0034/922 37 48 41, canadas@parador.es . For culture fans: The small, friendly old town hotel Rural Victoria from the 17th century, Hermano Apolinar 8, E-38300 La Orotava, Tel. 0034-922/331 683, Fax 0034-922/320519, www.hotelruralvictoria.com
Maps/Literature
No longer quite up to date, but useful is "Tenerife & Gomera by bike", 256 p., 12.80 euros from the Wolfgang Kettler Publishing House.
A detailed overview can be found in the Tenerife" travel guide from Michael Müller Verlag, 256 p., 17.90 euros.
Relatively accurate and with various cycle routes: Compass hiking, biking and road map No. 233 "Tenerife" 1:50,000, 7.50 euros.
Information (general)
Spanish Tourist Office, Berlin, further offices in Munich, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt, mailto:berlin@tourspain.es , www.spain.info, www.teneriffa.com (tourist information)
The full-length article from issue 1/2008 is available as a free PDF download.
