Tenerife, Is that not the island where all the pros go to train at altitude? That's right! Throughout the year, you'll find many professional cyclists, triathletes, and other top athletes on this largest of the total twelve Canary Islands. Thanks to the pleasant climate, and because of the possibility to train at altitude, Tenerife is a haven for many professional cyclists of renown and fame. Names like Lance Armstrong, Chris Froome, and Tom Dumoulin were regularly found here in preparation for their season. Especially the mountain El Teide It will ring a bell for many cycling fans and followers of cycling. But why is Tenerife so popular with cyclists? I looked it up for you during my cycling adventure in Tenerife.
Text and photos: Ruben Hoogland
Cycling in Tenerife at a glance
- The largest of the Canary Islands, with the El Teide volcano (3,715 m) in the middle. The roads climb to over 2,000 metres.
- Altitude training: pros stay on the slopes of the Teide to train at altitude.
- Best climb in our opinion: from Masca to the Mirador de Cherfe, with hairpins against the rock face.
- Season: in winter ride in the warmer south, in summer in the greener, cooler north.
- Getting there: just over four hours’ flight from Amsterdam. Bring your bike in a bag, or rent one locally.
Updated in October 2026 with the key facts and practical tips. The story below is our original article.
The journey
There are two ways to travel to Tenerife. By plane, or by ferry. From Schiphol, it’s a four-and-a-half-hour flight. From the port city of Huelva, Andalusia, the ferry crossing takes about an hour and a half. By the way, this last option isn’t very cheap. That’s why flying is the most accessible option for a stay on Tenerife. Unfortunately, it’s less sustainable, but good.
First impression
When you fly to a destination, the first impression is always very sudden. You get into an aluminum capsule and as soon as you get out of the plane you are transported into a completely different world. Unlike when you travel to a destination by car, where the surroundings gradually change, you are suddenly confronted with a completely new world. I arrive at Tenerife South Airport. It is pleasantly warm outside, and the airport is nicely organized. I can see the sea, here and there some palm trees, and in the distance the mountains loom.
Bring your own bike, or rent a bike
I prefer to bring my own bike everywhere. After all, it’s well adjusted, and I’m simply used to it. And also somewhat attached to it. If you fly with Transavia, you pay €49.00 per flight for bringing a bike bag. However, for my trip, a bike was arranged on-site by the guys from Bike Point Tenerife. A BMC Roadmachine 02, equipped with Shimano Ultegra and disc brakes. You never know exactly what you’re getting, so there was some skepticism on my part beforehand. Well, that turned out to be completely unnecessary. The bike ran like a dream, and was perfectly adjusted based on the measurements I had provided in advance. It didn’t take long before I fully trusted the bike and dared to throw myself into the descents as well. This bike costs £1,299 (about $1,600) on eBay, and I’m pretty sure it’s the same bike that I tested in the Netherlands. Bike Point Tenerife € 22.00 per day.
If you are renting a bike on site, I would generally advise you to bring your own saddle and pedals. Even if you have a super bike, you never know if the saddle is suitable for your ergonomics. And nothing is more annoying than having to cut your adventure short due to seating problems. So bring your own saddle if you know you are sensitive to this. Also bringing your own pedals can prevent discomfort when getting in and out of the saddle. You are used to your own way of getting in and out of the saddle, and that is why I always bring my own pedals.
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One island, multiple worlds
Tenerife is located in the same position relative to the equator as the Western Sahara. However, it is not always dry and arid here; this is due to the clouds that remain suspended between the mountains. This makes it much wetter in some places, which explains the great differences on the island. The south is desert-like, where the northeast is green and tropical around the Anaga mountain range. The center of the island is also greener and is largely naturally characterized by El Teide.
During my trip we started with a drive south, mostly on the TF-28. It was a wonderfully meandering road. It’s like a roller coaster. On the left, on the right, a little climb, a little descent, and always that magnificent view of the sea. In the south there is often a lot of wind, which is why the image of windmills is also drawn on the horizon here. This is also the sunniest part of the island because the clouds are blown inland from here. Definitely the highlight of the south was the climb from Poris de Abona to Villa de Arico. Because traffic mostly drives on the main road, you hardly see any cars here. And the asphalt is fantastic!
North Tenerife
The north of the island is much greener, and therefore also a lot cooler. You’ll find beautiful roads here, and the climbs are often surrounded by trees. A highlight to cycle to is the Pico del Ingles, before descending the TF-12 towards San Andrés.
This is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful descents in Europe. Stunning switchbacks, endless vistas, and consistently good visibility of oncoming traffic. This was pure enjoyment. There is also a gem of a descent in the northwest. From San Juan del Reparo to the coastal town of Garachico. If you like taking photos, you will definitely get some amazing shots here. You are constantly looking down into the depths and see the sea and Garachico in the background. I found this descent a delight. Be careful though, because there are some crevasses here and there.
Cycling adventure in Tenerife is El Teide
Okay, then here’s the absolute star of a cycling adventure in Tenerife. And it’s not El Teide. Yes, El Teide of course, but I knew that in advance. But there’s a climb hidden in Tenerife that you’ll talk about for a long time after you’ve climbed it. Mirador de Cherfe from Masca. Only 3.8 kilometers, but with an average gradient of 11.2% and a maximum of 17.6% over 100 meters, this is a beast of a climb. And the views are once again breathtaking. Be sure to bring the Parque Rural de Teno along with you in advance, with stunning views of the cliffs on the west coast.
Local heroes and guides
Knowing the route is pleasant for several reasons. To discover the most beautiful hidden spots, to choose the best restaurants along the way, and to know what awaits you. During my trip, I was very well guided by the charismatic Alberto and Marcos Delgado from Tenerife Bike Training. They organize tours and trips in Tenerife. You can join a specific day, plan a week tour, or book a full trip with accommodation with them.
Cycling adventure in Tenerife
Tenerife is truly a fantastic place to explore by bike, both because of the variety of the surroundings and the beautiful climbs and descents. Book a tour at Tenerife Bike Training If you don’t plan your own rides. Besides racing bikes, you also have plenty of options for exploring the island on a gravel bike. Plenty of reasons to return to this amazing island again soon.
Cycling adventures in Tenerife
Below you will find the most beautiful routes for a cycling adventure in Tenerife. You will find all the highlights of this beautiful island here.
5 tips for a cycling holiday in Tenerife
Although Tenerife Known to many as the ideal winter destination for a cycling holiday, you can visit it all year round. The main reason for this is the ‘Teide’. The island’s giant, with a height of more than 3700 meters, is a must-see spot and creates a divide on the island. The mountain creates a microclimate in combination with the trade winds. That means that you can enjoy cycling on this Canary Island in all seasons. Not for nothing is Tenerife a favorite among professional teams and it was for years the training location of Annemiek van Vleuten. Local Bjørn de Vos from Bikepoint Tenerife has been living on the island for years. After a nice conversation, he gave us his 5 tips for a cycling holiday on Tenerife Given. Enjoy!
Tip 1: The green north in the summer, the south in the winter
When you go cycling in Tenerife, choose the south in the winter. In the summer, you’d rather go north. ‘In the north, the landscape is greener and more inviting than the slightly warmer south’. This is a small indication of the microclimate on Tenerife. Due to the Teide, in the winter you’d best be in the south, where temperatures are generally higher. In the north, it’s a bit cooler and in the high summer it’s better than the hot south. Note that it can also get chilly in winter. Choose a fun route like Route 3, which you can also find in our Komoot Collection.
Tip 2: If you are in the north anyway: drive in the Parque Rural de Anaga
According to Bjørn, Parque Rural de Anaga is the most beautiful place to visit in the summer. There is a varied alternation of green climbs. You are constantly cycling in the forest and in nature. The vegetation is very specific: you find eucalyptus trees interspersed with beautiful rock formations. What makes it truly unique: you have the best view of El Teide from Anaga. From Anaga you can see the giant Tenerife Good at getting you up to speed (and you can actually only see how huge this mountain is). When you drive up the climb to Pico del Inglés, you have 22 kilometers ahead of you with a gradient of four percent. That’s pure joy on two wheels. Cycling in Tenerife is great.
Tip 3: Don't miss Masca
Cycling in Tenerife is synonymous with El Teide, but there is much more to discover. According to Bjørn, the area around Masca is one that you should definitely visit. ‘It is a much greener area, which is also very challenging for the average cyclist. You find less forest here, but it is beautiful, volcanic rock.’ If you are unsure whether you are sufficiently trained, Bjørn has an extra tip: ‘We have a solution for even less-trained cyclists, namely an e-racer.’ And that’s fine by me. Because the climb from Masca to the Mirador del Cherfe is four kilometers long and has an incline of 11 percent (!) Which is a painful ordeal. The perfect hairpin bends, however, soften the pain.
Tip 4: Tenerife is a training island
This may be an obvious question, but let me mention it anyway: on Tenerife, there are no flat roads. If you go cycling for a 60-kilometer round, you’ll be at around 1000 meters altitude pretty quickly. That’s quite different from a round along the promenade. According to Bjørn: ‘it’s a real training island; pros and amateurs come here to get better; that’s what really sets it apart from other places.’ So if you’re thinking of having a quiet cycling weekend, ‘then you might better rent an e-mtb or e-racer from Bikepoint Tenerife’, jokes the cheerful Dutchman. There’s a solution for everything.
Tip 5: Here you can get the best cortado and lunch
Coffee and cycling are almost synonymous. The hashtag #coffeebeforecycling can be seen quite often and you’ll find bike coffee shops almost everywhere. In Spain that’s a little different, but if you need to have coffee somewhere in Tenerife, there’s only one place according to Bjørn: ‘Bar Parada in Chio It’s a real deal for cycling enthusiasts. The interior exudes cycling. He won’t say for sure if it’s the very best cortados, but the quality combined with the interior certainly deserves a mention. If you then want to sit down for a good lunch after a long ride, there’s a second tip: UBUNTU in El Médano. This café, started by two ladies, offers everything, including a lot of variety. VEGAN options. Ideal after a long climb of El Teide.
About Bjørn and Bikepoint Tenerife
Bjørn de Vos has lived on Tenerife for 22 years and knows the island like the back of his hand. He is a born Flemish, but he ended up settling here. Initially because of windsurfing, but later he switched to cycling. By now, together with three partners, he has a thriving business with multiple locations where high-quality race bikes, (e-)MTBs and e-riders can be rented. They are currently mainly active in the south, but there are also plans to expand to the green north of Tenerife. If you choose a cycling holiday in Tenerife, you will Bikepoint Tenerife a nice starting point.
Want more information about cycling in Tenerife? Then go to our Dedicated bicycles on Tenerife page. There you will find tips on hotels, bike rental and routes.
Questions about cycling in Tenerife
Is Tenerife suitable for less experienced riders?
Tenerife is above all a climbing island: there are few flat routes. If you don’t like long climbs, Lanzarote or the south coast of Gran Canaria is a better choice.
How cold is it on the Teide?
At over 2,000 metres it can be chilly even in summer, and in winter there is sometimes snow. Always take a jacket and arm warmers for the descent.
Routes, hotels and practical info are on our destination page: Tenerife.
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.