With its stunning volcanic landscapes, average year-round temperatures of 23°C and smooth roads that soar to 2,300m in altitude, Tenerife has become the playground of pro cyclists. Several elite teams train here and can usually be found with a block booking at the Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide hotel, in the Teide National Park at over 2,000m altitude.
Tenerife is a land of strange contradictions. It’s an autonomous region of Spain, but this sun-baked island is geographically closer to Africa, which lies just 300km away. It’s one of the most popular beach destinations in Europe, yet isolated enough to be a designated Starlight destination for its pure skies and low light pollution.
And although the Teide National Park – a region of jaw-dropping terrain surrounding the 3,718m Teide volcano – is hot, arid and hostile, the island also boasts lush laurel forests and flower-drenched mountain villages.
The four sea-to-summit ascents of Mount Teide (from north, south, east or west) top most cyclists’ hit lists. Riders can grind through hallucinogenic volcanic landscapes and oxygen-starved air to the highest paved road at 2,300m. Chris Froome, the four-time Tour de France winner, says that cycling up here is like “travelling to Mars.”
But cyclists can enjoy so much more. Drink in dazzling coastal views on the south-eastern mountain roads of the TF-28, from the pretty plazas and rugged caves of Güímar in the east to the garden city of Chayofa (have lunch at the bike-friendly Regency Country Club).
Explore the lush forests of the Anaga Rural Park. Take on the brutal 11% slopes out of Masca, in the west. Or spin from the historic square of Icod de los Vinos, past volcanic cliffs and through rock-hewn tunnels, to the Punta de Teno lighthouse in the north-west.
What you need to know
Big dates
The Vuelta al Teide sportive (vteide.com) around Mount Teide next takes place on 16 May 2026. Choose from a 182km, 86km or 65km route, with 4,600m or 1,700m or 1,300m of altitude gain.
Don’t miss
The Parador hotel (parador.es) in the Teide National Park is legendary among pro cyclists. Bring your autograph book.
Travel
Tenerife is a four-hour flight from the UK, with EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and British Airways offering regular flights.
Accommodation
Mynd Adeje (myndhotels.com) in Callao Salvaje, in the south, offers nutritious food and a Bike Point rental service. Hotel Alua Tenerife (amrcollection.com) in Puerto de la Cruz, in the north, has cycle storage and massage services.
Tours
Alberto and Marcos Delgado of Tenerife Bike Training (tenerifebiketraining.com) are local brothers and guides who offer a range of tours, from daily spins to week-long trips, culminating in a paella party at the family home.
Tourist information
Visit webtenerife.co.uk for more details.
The route
Explore Tenerife’s gloriously green highland laurel forests on this 60km spin through the Anaga Rural Park – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the north-east of the island. From the vineyards and ornate square of Tacoronte in the north to the sun-scorched Las Teresitas beach by the coastal village of San Andrés in the north-east, you’ll pass humid forests, deep ravines and jagged mountains.
- Distance: 59.1km
- Elevation: 1,242m
1. Bike shop
Christophe, Bjorn and Romen of Bike Point Tenerife (bikepointtenerife.com) have sites in Playa de las Américas, Callao Salvaje and El Médano, and rent out high-spec bikes such as Pinarello, BMC, Cervélo and Scott.
2. Lunch stop
Enjoy dazzling ocean views and delicious fresh seafood at the Yanfi Marina restaurant (cbyanfi.com), just outside San Andrés.
3. Photo op
Selfies in the rock-hewn ‘fairy tunnels’ of the Anaga Rural Park forests are proving a hit on Instagram.