Mountain biking on Gran Canaria
The island lies in a circle in the Atlantic and has a diameter of around 45 kilometres. The problem is that you don't really know where to set up your accommodation in order to be closest to the best touring spots.
If I take a hotel room in the tourist strongholds on the south coast, I am close to the famous sand dunes. Or would I prefer a holiday flat somewhere in the mountains - but then I'm far away from the other tour spots ...
Neither, because you can now hire a motorhome on Gran Canaria. This means you are completely independent and can travel to the most beautiful regions in peace and quiet. Gran Canaria is structured more or less like a wheel. In the centre, the Pico de las Nieves (1949 m) is the highest point in the sky and from there the ravines (barrancos) run out to the sea in the shape of spokes. As a touring biker, it is best to drive into the gorges on one side and out again on the other. Motorhomes are therefore the best way to reach the valley entrances. And which of these gorges are the most beautiful? That depends: The south side of the island is dusty and dry, the north side rather misty and damp, but also beautifully green. The reason for this change in vegetation is - as on all the Canary Islands - the trade winds from the north-east. They bring rain clouds that cling to the highest peaks and rain down on the northern slopes.
Unfortunately, although the Pico de las Nieves is just high enough to clear the clouds from the sky, it is too small for its summit to peek out of the typical clouds. As a result, bikers on a summit mission often find themselves plodding through wafts of mist and unfortunately are denied a view of the sea of cotton wool from above. Nevertheless, this is a top touring area for anyone who loves crisp trails and likes to end the evening in a lively tapas bar.
BIKE information about Gran Canaria
Geography With a diameter of 45 kilometres, Gran Canaria is the third largest island in the Canary Islands and is also known as the "Island of the Sun". It is criss-crossed by gorges and canyons with fine and rough gravel paths for beginners. But there are also plenty of trails that require good riding technique. Highest point: Pico de las Nieves (1949 m).
Bike stations Experienced guides, shuttle service, maps, bike hire and workshop. Free Motion: daily guided tours from beginners' tours to freeride trips, as well as racing bike hire. Info: www.free-motion.net
Canary-Bike: Touring and training weeks with accommodation and dates with well-known racers as guides. Info: www.canary-bike.com
Special events The best event of the year: the MTB Open Marathon in Maspalomas, Info: http://canary-bike.nyx.at
Information about maps, tours and accommodation: www.mountainbike-grancanaria.de. Motorhome hire in the Canary Islands and further information: www.kanarenaktuell.eu.
Mountain biking on La Palma
You simply have to ride it once in your life, the longest downhill in Europe. The trail from the 2426 metre high Roque de los Muchachos down to the beach is one of the seven most beautiful descents in the world.
La Palma is not only home to one of the most beautiful downhill runs in the world. The island is also one of the steepest of its kind. Just 708 square kilometres in size, its volcanic craters rise up to 2426 metres into the sky (Roque de los Muchachos). If you want to get up there, it's best to grab a shuttle bus and climb the last steep metres to the summit under your own steam. But then you really are standing in the sun on La Palma. From up here, you can see the trade wind clouds swirling around the northern flanks of the island, while the view to the south is clear. It's a good thing that the Supertrail heads in exactly this direction towards the beach ...
But the fifth largest island in the Canary Islands has even more to offer. There are countless trails that wind their way through black lava fields or lush laurel forests. However, a good level of fitness is always a prerequisite, as the ascents are usually steep and crisp. Those who prefer to put themselves in the experienced hands of a guide will find three bike centres on La Palma. Here you can not only book day and multi-day tours with a shuttle service, but also hire well-maintained bikes and accommodation. Or you can use the trip for a week of trail tours with a riding technique course. The often rough and sometimes exposed ash trails offer an exciting practice course.
La Palma has become the favourite Canary Island among bikers. Although it is small, it offers enough touring material for a fortnight and is not as overcrowded as its larger neighbours Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Party miles and tourist strongholds are nowhere to be found here. There is always room for a large towel on the beach.
BIKE information about La Palma
Geography La Palma is the most north-westerly island of the Canary Islands. Although there are direct flights to the island, there is still no mass tourism here. Bikers who simply want to ride beautiful tours without the hustle and bustle are in the best hands here. Highest point: the Roque de los Muchachos, 2426 metres.
Bike stations These stations offer tours, shuttles, bike hire and even entire tour weeks:
Bike 'n' Fun in Los Llanos, www.bikenfun.de
Puerto Naos bike station, www.bike-station.de
Magic Bike in Los Llanos, www.magic-bike-lapalma.com
Special events Various events and tour weeks are offered on La Palma from November to April. The highlights: Christmas and New Year's Eve tour week with trails and a big New Year's Eve party, Info: www.bikenfun.de International bike marathon usually in March, Info: www.bikelapalma.com Atlantic Cycling offers riding technique, freeride and trail weeks, www.atlantic-cycling.de and Stefan Herrmann, www.mtb-academy.de.
Info www.la-palma-tourismus.com
Mountain biking in Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest, the highest and probably the most diverse island in the archipelago - but this also means that you are spoilt for choice and the journey to the most beautiful spots is much greater.
Gorges, volcanic cones, rainforest, banana trees, various mountain ranges and even a special bike park in the north - Tenerife cannot be beaten when it comes to the variety of kilometres of tours. There are even plenty of single trails, but they often lead through designated nature parks and are therefore off-limits to mountain bikers. This includes the summit region around Spain's highest mountain, the Pico del Teide (3718 m).
The green Anaga mountains in the north-east of the island also have some restricted areas of this kind. But there are also plenty of scenic forest roads that are well worth climbing. "Just one more hour to the sun" is also a common phrase on Tenerife. Because, as on La Palma, the trade wind clouds are usually stuck in the forests halfway up the northern flanks. A cold and damp ghost train section, but one that is easy to endure if you know that you can pedal your way to the sun under your own steam. Because once you reach the Cumbre Dorsal, the ridge of the volcanic island, at an altitude of 1500 metres, the first rays of sunshine peek through the cloud cover. And shortly afterwards, you can see the Pico del Teide shining brightly against the blue sky.
For the descent, it's best to zip your rain jacket back up under your chin, because now the layer of mist is not only damp, but also very cold. Perhaps the thought that you are crossing one of the largest eucalyptus forests in the world will warm you up. But even on Tenerife, you can avoid the clouds completely by simply exploring the calderas of the southern mountain flanks. The lava tracks through the Teno Mountains, Canadas and the Masca Gorge are no less exciting for bikers.
BIKE information about Tenerife
Geography At 2000 square kilometres, Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands with the most diverse vegetation zones and tour areas. Due to its size, Tenerife not only offers day tours, but also exciting crossings. The highest point and also Spain's highest mountain: Pico del Teide, 3718 metres.
Bike stations You can find the best and most experienced guides here: Diga-Sports: Rental bikes (including racing bikes), tours and organised bike weeks. Info: www.digasports
.de
MTB Active: from beginners' tours to challenging freeride trips and multi-day tours, bike hire and organised theme weeks (including racing bikes). Info: www.mtb-active.com
Special events Island crossing, marathon and island hopping: Trans Tenerife Gourmet with top accommodation, info: www.bikenfun.de Trans Tenerife in spring and island hopping (bookable at any time), Info: www.mtb-active.de
Info www.go-teneriffa.de
The other Canary Islands
La Gomera
The second smallest Canary Island is home to the largest contiguous laurel forest in the world. If you like steep climbs and don't like the hustle and bustle of tourists, this is the perfect place for you. The best starting point for all tours in the scenic Garajonay National Park is Valle Gran Rey. Here you will also find the only well-stocked bike centre on the island: Bikers Inn, www.bikers-inn.eu. The guides also know the tastiest restaurants and recommend the best whale-watching tour providers. Unfortunately, the highest point on the island is only so high that it is usually shrouded in cloud: Garajonay, 1487 metres. Info: www.lagomera.de
Fuerteventura
The second largest island in the Canary Islands is nice and dry and sunny, but unfortunately not very mountainous. Nevertheless, the dusty sandy tracks have a certain charm, especially as the strong wind from the front can have a similar effect to a long climb. The only bike station with rental bikes and guided tours: Volcano-Bike, www.volcano-bike.com. A marathon is also planned for February 2011, but the exact date has not yet been finalised. Information about the island: www.fuerteventurainfo.de.
Lanzarote
The whole island is a single biosphere reserve, says UNESCO. Good for the dry nature of this unique lava landscape, bad for mountain bikers, because you really shouldn't stray an inch from the tarmac road here. But there are exceptional paths where even studded tyres can't damage anything. The guides at the island's only bike centre in Puerto del Carmen know exactly where to find them: Renner bikes, www.mountainbike-lanzarote.com. Or you can try your hand at the 2-stage off-road MTB race organised by Club La Santa. Info: www.clublasanta.com.information about the island in general: www.infolanzarote.de.
You can also find the entire island comparison as a PDF download below.
