202402 Gran Canaria – by Mark   Recently updated !

Introduction

If you haven’t read any of our previous blogs for Gran Canaria, a quick intro on why it’s a great place for us to go cycling.  Most of our cycling tours are in Mallorca and as an all-round package for road cycling options it’s hard to beat.  Except for parts of the Winter months, when the weather can be unpredictable, very changeable and wet roads in Mallorca are rather slippery and best to be avoided!  Rather than have the stress of what to do on these days, it’s easier to be someplace where it’s much less of a problem and that is the Canary Islands.

Gran Canaria Terrain

All the Canary Islands are pretty Mountainous and don’t have many flat roads, along with being generally quite windy!  The highest peak for cycling on Gran Canaria, is the Pico de Las Nieves, which is around 1900m above sea level.  Gradients, lots of 8-12%, with some 12-14% in small stretches. The most challenging route/climb is the ‘Valley of the Tears’, over on the west of the Island, although the road from Ingenio to Pico de las Nieves comes a close second.  Recommended lowest gearing would be 34×34 or 34×36 if possible.

Location

We like staying in Maspalomas/Playa del Ingles, it’s central South and only 25 mins by taxi from the Airport.  This is quite a large town but has cycling friendly roads and connections, as well as lots of accommodation, a few bike rental shops, lots of Restaurants and a very long beach with a huge area of dunes.  Most of the favourite bike routes are based around there, so it’s a good location for a bike trip. 

This time we stayed in the HL Suites for the first half and then the Sahara Playa for the second.

R1 Soria Scary Rock & back

First day’s bike ride was a slightly later start as we had to get the rental bikes first. As before we used the free motion bike shop in Playa del Ingles. The bikes were pre booked, a small waiting time, 10 minutes or so and we were ready to go. A short bike ride for the first day, as we had plenty more days to go! Up the hill from the bike shop, heading westerly out of the town through Maspalomas, then following the GC-500 coast road until a right turn Northwards onto the GC-505, just before Arguineguin. This is a great road, fairly easy to start with as only a 1% to 2% gradient as the road tracks along the valley until Las Filipinos, where the climb starts up to Soria.  Today we only went 2/3 of the way up the climb, to what I call the scary rock as I don’t like road edges with big drops but the view from here is fantastic!  Turn around, descend back down and stop for refreshments at bar Terraza Miguel. Then retrace back to the start, to end a very enjoyable first bike ride.

R2 El Mirador del Tunte, San Bartolome

Today’s ride had a bit more climbing but nothing too excessive. Straight up north out of the town on the GC-60, climbing straight from the first pedal stroke until the 1st viewpoint at the top of what is on Strava the 4K climb, which is a delight on the way back when you have to go up it! Going this way, enjoy descending the short climb, and if you like Drops over the side with amazing views then you will really enjoy this part! Past the camel safari park, through Fataga village and from here the climb gets steeper, lots of 10% and more, until almost at Bartolome, where we stopped for coffee and cake.  This ride was also a retrace back to keep the distance down but the views and sights both on the way up to this point and on the return journey are a must for anyone cycling here.  Save a bit in the legs for the 4K climb and if you are like me keep your eyes on the road ahead and don’t look to the right!!  

R3 Carrizal, Ingenio, Aguimes, Juan Grande

Another relatively easy bike ride, out easterly along the coast road GC-500 Through El doctoral, onto the GC-191 to turn left at Carrizal where you gradually start climbing, via Ingenio then left on the GC-100 to Aguimes, where we stopped for coffee and cake.  This is very pretty and quiet small town, well worth exploring all the streets and the squares and churches. Not too many bars for refreshments though! From here we took the GC-551 via Juan Grande turning left on the GC-65 and cutting through Sardina to El Doctoral to then return back along the coast road. Extremely quiet and super views on the way back before reaching the coast.

R4 Ferry, Port Mogan, Green Rocks, Serenity, Soria Back

Today had the first proper climb of the trip but before the climb we had a lovely boat ride on the ferry from Puerto Rico to Puerto Mogan.  Start the ride by taking the coast road westerly to Puerto Rico which takes a little bit under an hour at a leaisurely pace.  You don’t need to pre buy tickets you can pay at the ferry and it is about a 30 minute journey. Great views of the coast from the Ferry. When you arrive at Port Morgan you discover it is one of the prettiest towns on the island. You have to wander around some of the streets near the harbour before setting off on the bikes.  From the port you take the GC-605 and slowly climb all the way until turning left onto the GC-200 towards San Nicolas.  We only went as far as Fuente de los Azulejos (The Green mountainside we call it).  It’s uphill but worth the effort as the scenery is stunning and the colours of the mountainside really interesting.  Grab some water from the hut if it’s open and then back down the mountain until turning left onto the GC-605 to then tackle the serenity climb. This is another stunning road the climb is tough, the views incredible and usually quite a few other bike riders for company going up or down.  After regrouping, continue until the right turn to head across towards Soria and turn right onto the GC-505 to descend back down to the coast and turn left back to Playa del Ingles.

R5 Doctoral, Aguimes, Temisas, Bartolome, Fataga

Today was the first ride with some clients to look after and share with them some wonderful experiences that cycling here can offer.  Today we headed easterly along the coast before swinging northerly uphill to Aguimes for a coffee stop. Then continued climbing up via Temisas and Santa Lucia to Bartolome, where we turned South, descending through Fataga, up the 4K climb and finally back down to Playa del Ingles.  Not too far, good amount of climbing and time to relax afterwards.

R6 Bartolome & Back

Today’s plan was for more climbing but instead we had to change plans due to the extreme winds will stop. We climbed straight up through Fataga to Bartolome but trying to leave Bartolome was too dangerous. Riders ahead of us had tried and been blown off their bikes and came back. So it was coffee and cakes before descending back down to the start. Safety first, there is always the next day for another bike ride!

R7 Soria, Serenity, Green Rocks, Port Mogan, Ferry, Rico

The highlights for today would be many, the testing Soria climb, the green rocks, Port Mogan with its stunning buildings and streets and the ferry ride on the way back!  Up out of the town, along the coast to take the GC-505 and climb up towards Soria and turning left before Soria onto the unclassified road to reach the top of serenity.  This road is a bit rough in places and some steep sections of 15%. Character building!  Descending down serenity, the views are really stunning and you can forget all the pain you endured!  Detour off to see the colourful Fuente de los Azulejos and then the enjoyable descent all the way down to Port Mogan.  Everyone enjoyed the Ferry ride, it’s really easy and they don’t mind the bikes.  Off the Ferry and then the 50 minutes along the coast back to Playa del Ingles.

R8 Vincenio, rained off ride

Today was a planned easy day, ahead of tomorrows planned very hard day!  It tuend out to be even easier as the weather wasn’t so kind and we didn’t relish the thought of wind and rain up in the Mountains.  So cake stop in Vincenio and back.

R9a To Ferry at Puerto Rico

R9b Mogan, Nicholas, VOTT, Fataga

Today was the toughest ride planned, taking in the Valley of the Tears, VOTT.  We had a split at the start with two different ways to get to the bottom of serenity.  This was a good way to compare the differences between the routes.  I took the coast road with a ferry ride to port Morgan and then cycled up to the bottom of serenity. Paul took the coast road then cycled up the Soria climb, across to serenity and we met at a Restaurant just after the descent.  At the end of the day, there wasn’t a massive difference in the elevation gained for either route but the Ferry route was slightly shorter. After coffee, through Veneguera, up past the green rocks and stopping in San Nicolas to top up the bottles with water. Out of Nicolas on the GC-21O which leads you into the valley of the tears on the GC-606.  When you turn right onto the 606 you have to climb “The wall” as it is called on Strava. There is no rest or recovery as you keep climbing for many more kilometres!  However you have the pleasure of riding along an extremely quiet and super scenic road but a warning there is nowhere to get water or food, until you reach Ayacata!! At the highest point on the VOTT you can see teneriffe and Mount Teide.  From here it’s is mostly downhill back via Bartolome and Fataga, not forgetting the 4K climb to finish off your legs if they weren’t already!  This is a route you will remember and it ranks up in the top of the list of tough bike rides.

R10 Aguimes, Guayadeque, Doctoral

Today was an easier day to allow some recovery but as with all routes on this island it involved a bit of climbing.  Over to a grimace for coffee, always a lovely place to stop in, then out on the tiny Rd up to the Gaya Dickey caves. Really interesting to see the houses built into the side of the mountain. A pretty tough climb with parts more than 10%.  Great on the way back down though!  Down to the coast and back to base.

R11 Fataga, Ayacata, Soria

Today a circular route, straight up to Fataga, Bartolome and Ayacata, where we stopped for drinks and food. Then taking the GC-605 to the GC-505 and descending down Soria to the coast and back.  Great route, not too tough, no crazily steep sections but endless views all the way round.

R12 Ayagaures short ride

A relaxing short route just north of the town. Head out on the GC-504, keeping right to go to Ayagaures, where you can stop for coffee before continuing on the GC-503 where there is a really good 10-20 minute climb with stunning views at the top. Down through Monte Leon and Montana la Data to finish back in town.

R13 Bartolome, Ayacata, Pico de las Nieves, Ingenio

This route takes you up to the highest point on the island at Pico de las Nieves.  From sea level to just under 2000m up.

Climbing out of the town up through Fataga, Bartolome, Agua Latente and stopping for a drink at a Ayacata.  Then straight up the GC-600 climb past Roque Nublo, turning onto the GC-130, heading towards Cazadores.  You have to take a slight detour up the dead end at the peak, Pico de las Nieves. Down past Cazadores, El roque and el Sequero before turning at Ingenio and back via the coast.  In February, it is pretty cold descending from the top, so wind proof and warm layers are useful.  

R14 P. Rico, Ferry, Serenity, Soria

The last two rides were picked for not too tough but great scenery and going through some favourite places to stop.  They didn’t disappoint us and were so enjoyable.

Along the coast to Puerto Rico, ferry ride to puerto morgan, coffee and cake before climbing serenity, across to Soria and back down to the coast and back to base.

R15 Bartolome, Santa Lucia, Sardina, El Doctoral

Straight up to Bartolome but stopping for coffee and cake at the viewpoint just before it. Across to Santa Lucia and Sardina, to finish along the coast.

Last Day

Travel day, so no bikes today, beach stroll, remembering all the amazing bike rides of the last few weeks!

For more about these rides, check out our FaceBook, Instagram and YouTube channel pages.

Garmin Data for the Rides on this trip

Strava Route/Data Links, from various trips