Gran Canaria is truly a cycling paradise, especially in the winter months when the temperatures are actually perfect for riding in short-sleeved outfits. Many cyclists know the island from training stages or cycling holidays, but it is usually explored on a race bike. Also beautiful, but we have already described that in detail in this article: Winter Destination: Gran Canaria – Cycling Destination Ella van der Veer visited Gran Canaria for the second time in January, and as a keen mountain biker it was time to explore off-road cycling on the island. Gran Canaria Easy to explore. Prepare for dusty & rocky trails, where every gravel rider and MTB enthusiast will have a blast!
Text and photos: Ella van der Veer
Off-road cycling paradise
We are in Gran Canaria for a total of eight days, and we spend three of them off-road. Now that we have some experience with the Ardennes and Alps, we are not afraid of technical descents. If you like it, there are beautiful, rocky singletrack descents, but for the gravel enthusiasts, the island is a real treat. Since we didn’t want to bring two bikes, we rented a mountain bike (fully) from FreeMotion. They also offer guided tours on the (e-)MTB, one of which we did. There are no gravel bikes for rent, only very capable hardtail MTBs, in case you don’t want to go all the technical singletrack. Of course, bringing your own gravel bike is always an option!
Read also: Bring your own bike or rent one?
Basecamp Maspalomas
Our base camp is in Masapalomas, so the routes we ride start here as well. These are built in Komoot. Especially on the gravel paths, there are photos attached and you can make a good estimate of what you're in for. This is not always the case with the singletracks. Since last year, however, some trails have been closed. Due to clashes between hikers and off-roaders, the local government has decided to ban cyclists from some trails. I spoke with a local cyclist about this, and they strongly urge everyone to respect this. Because they are in talks with the government and don't want to undermine it! Are you building your own route? Then check with the local guides at FreeMotion, Even if you don't rent a bike. This way you avoid any surprises along the way, which is a shame when you've cycled all the way up and are looking forward to the descent!
Off-road recommendations
If you head out towards the northwest from Maspalomas, you’ll find GC-604. The first stretch of this road is paved. At times it’s quite steep with slopes of up to 17%. GC-604, also known as Alto de los Corrales, was never completed and after 19km the asphalt ends. This is where the gravel section begins! It’s not suitable for road cyclists or cars, so you’re on your own. The off-road section is much more gradual in its slopes, through the most beautiful valleys, offering the most beautiful views towards the sea. At some point you turn right onto the S60 and it’s time for the descent. This is also a particularly scenic landscape. There was a natural fire here, which has left it quite bare. The reward: spectacular views over Tenerife and Maspalomas! Some sections are a bit washed out and therefore more technical than the average gravel section, but it’s definitely worth it! This route is about 50km with 1600hm.
also read this story about Gran Canaria
Up north
If you head north towards the valley via GC-504, you will reach the village of Ayaguares. Here you can cross a dam to reach a beautiful gravel road that somewhat resembles the Grand Canyon. You will swing back and forth along the edges of the valleys, and at every turn there will be a different view! At some point you will reach one of the most famous climbs from Masapalomas, namely the one towards Fataga. Unfortunately, you still have to climb up towards Masapalomas to reach the viewpoint, but from there you can continue on the asphalt back towards the sea. Do you have a mountain bike? Then definitely take a look at the beautiful flowtrails along this route for some extra fun; these are included in the GPX file.
A real off-road bike challenge
For the MTBers among us who like a challenge, the El Diablo trail is a must-try. The best part is to start from Cruz Grande. You can cycle there (about 1500hm, which is what we did) or take a taxi/shuttle. Here you cycle on a gravel road which is a nice warm-up before the singletrack starts. After about seven km you see a singletrack diving into the depths on the right: should you really go that far? The answer is yes! As a lover of rocky trails, this is definitely one of the most beautiful but also technical trails I have ridden. Expect steep trails, short hairpin bends and a lot, a lot of rocks of all sizes. It’s more of an enduro than cross country. As I like to say: the bike can do more than you think. We rode here on a Specialized Epic and it was fine to do so. We even came across a hardtail but I wouldn’t recommend that. I also personally wore my back and knee protectors, which give me more confidence on the bike. If you go down, you will return to Ayaguares. Here you have two choices: you can drive through the valleys described above, or you can go back via the road towards Maspalomas.
But there's more!
As mentioned earlier, there are also plenty of guided tours available at FreeMotion. If you don’t feel like tackling route planning yourself or just want to meet fellow cyclists, this is a great option. There is a tour for every level of technique and fitness, including the Grand Canyon tour described above for MTB and e-MTB. The routes are more focused on cross-country (more elevation gain and mileage). This is due to the closures of trails I described earlier. As a result, fewer tours with shuttle services to the higher-lying areas are offered. We rode with ‘The Grit’, the toughest and most technical guided tour. Guided by guide Lars, we explored the coast around Arguineguin and Puerto Rico.
Climbing gravel
The gravel climbs alternate with single tracks, but you also encounter technical passages up and down. Some of the climbs are definitely not for everyone, and I had to walk a bit too. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of ‘hike a bike’. Just before lunch with local bocadillos, which is included in the tour, you’ll go over the most technical part. The terrain here is less rocky, but very loose. Here you ride over the mountain ridge towards the sea, and here too the skills are put to the test! In MTB terms: these are classification S3 routes, to give you an idea of the difficulty level. Don’t be put off by this. It’s definitely worth it and very fun to be out on the road with the enthusiastic guide and fellow bikers! After lunch you follow tracks alongside the coastal road to Maspalomas, this is completely different and you partly ride through empty riverbeds. Don’t underestimate this tour; mountain experience is required, but it’s definitely worth it. As mentioned earlier, FreeMotion also offers easier tours or you can join the e-MTB tour.
Great tip for all cyclists
One last tip: make sure you have enough water/sports nutrition with you. It’s often hot and not very populated in the interior, so you could be cycling for hours without being able to refill your water bottle. I myself cycled with a backpack with a 2.5L water reservoir.All in all, there’s plenty of off-road adventures to be had in Gran Canaria! Don’t miss out on a tour or a self-made route when you visit the island. Behind every bend lies a different landscape, and sometimes you feel like you’re alone in the world as you slide down the most amazing tracks towards the sea.
Hotels on Gran Canaria
Off-Road Cycling in Gran Canaria – The Routes
Below you will find a collection of cycling routes on the island. The Off-road routes for Gran Canaria are included here. Enjoy! Do you have any tips yourself? Let us know via the comments!
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.