I knew the island would be ugly: hotel blocks sweep past the shuttle bus window outside. Sometimes the concrete blocks even leave a gap, then I recognise beach seating like in a cinema. Everything is just like in the photo. With the difference that I could still push the photo away at home. But now I'm right in the middle of it and even part of a tourist group. From the chatter of my fellow female travellers, I can tell that their excitement revolves around two weeks of "extreme coaching". They, on the other hand, eye us suspiciously. Especially when we drag our luggage out of the bus hold. We are the four guys with the bulky boxes and huge bags. The girls are probably afraid that there's something inside that will either make a lot of noise or cast a big shadow on the beach.
But enough of Tenerife's darker side. From the balcony of our hotel stronghold, I can see a real highlight of the island: the Pico del Teide, Spain's highest mountain at 3718 metres. Although in reality everything always looks a little smaller and dirtier than in the brochure, this mountain back there really is a giant. If you measure it from its base on the seabed, it is an incredible 7500 metres high. I'm getting warm. Even in the late afternoon, it's 20 degrees here, something that only a fan heater can manage with difficulty in wintry Poland. That's exactly why we're here, I think as I assemble my bike and wipe the last cobwebs off the seatpost with my sleeve. [...]
You can find the entire Tenerife travel report as a PDF download below. You can also download the GPS data for the four MTB tours on Tenerife.
Information and MTB tours on Tenerife
Journey Tenerife is served by several flights a week from Germany. Flight time: approx. 5 hours. The price for bike transport is between 25 and 40 euros.
Bus transport Bike transport on public buses is free of charge on Tenerife. However, you should remove both wheels before stowing them in the hold. There are two buses to the Teide National Park: from Puerto de
la Cruz (line 348) and from Playa de las Americas (line 342), but both only run once a day. Return journey: 4 pm, fare for the approx. one-hour journey: 6 euros per person.
Best touring time From November to April. During this time, the temperature on the island is around 20 degrees - at sea level. At an altitude of 3000 metres, it can also be freezing cold. Warm bike clothing is therefore a must in your luggage.
Maps If you like it very detailed and come to Tenerife often, you might want to buy the complete map set of the island at a scale of 1:25000 (20 sheets) for 112.35 euros at www.editorial-zech.es. The sheets can also be ordered individually. The compass map "Tenerife" at a scale of 1:50000 costs 8.95 euros.
Guided tours The easiest way to book a week of tours on Tenerife is with an organiser, including accommodation, shuttle and guide. The best addresses: www.mtb-active.com (camps, freeride tours, bike hire) and www.ridebasetenerife.com (bike hire, guided tours).
General information www.insel-teneriffa.de
Tour 1: Anaga Mountains
43 km / 1250 hm
This tour to the Pico del Ingles leads from Puerto de la Cruz via a scenic asphalt road up into the almost 1000 metre high Anaga mountains. At the top, a path branches off into the Barranco de Valleseco: The trail leads through the jungle at the top and is technically challenging, but still easy to ride.
Tour 2: Las Lajas
40 km / 600 hm downhill: 2700 hm
Take the shuttle bus up to the Teide National Park and then ride downhill on the local bikers' top trail. But be careful, the descent is very steep, blocked and extremely challenging at the top. It gets easier at the bottom. If you turn off onto the GR131, you enter a spectacular canyon.
Tour 3: Teide - Puerto Cruz
31 km / 400 hm downhill: 2700 hm
Take the shuttle bus to the Montana Blanca stop and then experience a descent that is in no way inferior to the trails in Whistler, Canada. Despite the many hairpin bends, this forest trail doesn't lose any of its flow and is suitable for everyone. You'll come across various branches along the way, but this version is top!
Tour 4: La Caldera - Puerto Cruz
52 km / 700 hm downhill: 3000 hm
This tour also starts at the Montana Blanca bus stop, but the descent is extended by another 300 metres in altitude. Once again, it goes through a beautiful forest, the trail is grippy and curves in such a way that you can take them wonderfully with momentum. It's also a real scenic highlight!
