Tour of Gran Canaria
Road Cycling Holidays in the Canary Islands
- Incredible cycling itinerary taking you to all the hidden gems on the beautiful island of Gran Canaria
- Keep the winter blues at bay with warm sunny days on the bike
- Ride all 3 ascents of the Pico de las Nieves (1950m)
- Cycle the legendary ‘Valley of the Tears’ – VOTT
- Flexible itinerary catering for all ability levels with optional vehicle transfers available to ‘save your legs’
- Only 2 hotels, both 4*, with amazing food, stunning views and swimming pools
- 2 fully customised support vans with attentive, proactive and fun guides
Days on the bike
Fantastic! …great routes, wonderful hotels, excellent support from the Marmot crew, inclement weather, sunshine, marvellous company and blood, sweat and the Valley of Tears. Another first class holiday from Marmot.
A Staniforth
Introduction
Gran Canaria has earned its reputation as one of the top winter road cycling destinations for both pros and amateurs. Its sunny reputation, quality roads, challenging climbs and varied geology make it the perfect place to escape the winter blues and to build your physical and mental strength at the start of the cycling season. We offer optional ‘easier’ routes each day which allow you to skip some of the steeper climbs – perfect for those wanting a more ‘relaxed’ winter cycling experience, whilst still making the most of the terrain.
With this Classic Cols style trip, we’ve designed an epic cycling holiday that traverses the island’s remote valleys, isolated villages, rugged massifs and canyons, stunning coastal cliffs and beaches. It will take you to the top of the island at Pico de las Nieves (1950m) by all 3 different routes available. A flexible itinerary (with optional extras for those wanting more of a challenge) will offer you plenty of miles and elevation in the sun, but you choose the intensity! The Valley of The Tears, Pico de las Nieves, Pinos de Galdar, Roque Nublo, El Anden Verde, Cazadores, Cueva Grande, Barranco de Guayadeque – these are just a few of the climbs that you can explore and will come home raving about.
The holiday works across just 2 excellent 4* hotels located away from the crowded tourist resorts, in the peaceful havens of San Bartolome de Tirajanas and Puerto de Las Nieves. They offer you the perfect base for exploring this “miniature continent”, revelling in the variety of scenery and climbs.
For more information, read our Trip Notes and for the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Please note that we also run winter cycling holidays in Tenerife. Tenerife is a slightly less challenging itinerary out of the two.
Departure Dates & Prices
After a little break, we will return to Gran Canaria in 2024! If you’re interested in this holiday, please get in touch to register your interest.
Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival day
We offer included airport transfers from Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to our 4* star hotel with swimming pool in San Bartolome de Tirajana (Tunte), less than 1 hour away.
Meet your guides, assemble bikes and have a welcome briefing and great dinner.
Alternatively, depending on your eagerness to get on the bike and the arrival time of your flight, assemble your bike at the airport and cycle to the hotel [45km with 1250m ascent through mountains] while we take your bags .
Another option is to transfer to the hotel, assemble your bike and then take a circular ride [20km with 600m ascent] to ‘stretch the legs’.
For full travel information and airport transfer timings, please consult the Trip Notes.
Optional rides:
Option 1: 45km with 1250m ascent
Option 2: 20km with 600m ascent
Day 1: Explore the Barrancos & Oasis
Descend into Fataga, a beautiful palm oasis, before a short climb to the breathtaking canyon. Swoop down to the southern coastal road and ride towards Barranco de Arguineguin. Appreciate the gentle climb to Cercados de Espino – next up is the 9km climb to Risco Grande (Paso de Tauro, 911m) with some seriously steep sections up to 14%! Undulate (up!) to arrive at the picturesque town of Ayacata (1310 m) for lunch. It’s then just a gentle ‘up & down’ ride back to the hotel at San Bartolome.
The challenge route today includes a 25 km loop with a short punchy climb to Monteleon (Cima Pedro Gonzalez, 490 m) followed by a beautiful gentle descent in the Barranco de Ayagaures to an area of reservoirs and palm tree islands.
Easier option: (Lift up Passo de Tauro / Risco Grande) 81km with 1800m ascent
Classic route: 85km with 2000m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 110km with 2500m ascent [ride profile]
Day 2: Ingenio to Pico de las Nieves
The climb to Pico de las Nieves from its toughest side is a highlight today: a summit finish in La Vuelta España 2017, its 23kms long with 1675m altitude gain (including a brutal 5km 11% section between La Pasadilla and Cazadores). Eek!
Descend through Los Llanos de la Pez and the Nature Reserve of Roque Nublo: a massive volcano chimney rock that is the symbol of Gran Canaria, before continuing your loop back to the hotel.
The Challenge Route features the 9km climb to Barranco de Guayadeque (955m) with some seriously cheeky gradients (10% and more) as well as the Prehispanic troglodyte cave dwellings and restaurants!
Easier option: 65km with 1000m ascent
Classic route: 80km with 2000m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 95km with 2800m ascent [ride profile]
Day 3: Across the island: Caldera de Tejada & Pinar de Tamadaba
Leave San Bartolome de Tirajana & head towards the NW coastal town of Puerto de las Nieves. Conquer the mountain passes of Cruz Grande (1236m) & El Aserrador (1345m) before continuing around the Cruz de Tejeda (from where our optional extra loop starts) to arrive in Artenara. The route takes you to the ancient pine forest of Tamadaba (1320m) from where you descend on the greener northern slopes of the island to reach sea level at Puerto de las Nieves. Enjoy a beautiful sunset & views from the hotel pool.
The Challenge Route takes you on an additional circular loop starting from Cruz de Tejeda (1560m) and taking you back up to Pico de Las Nieves from the north. This loop gives you a good insight into the different microenvironment of the heart of the island.
The easier option today cuts out the loops to Cruz de Tejeda (1560m) and Tamadaba (1315m)
Easier option: 70km with 1200m ascent
Classic route: 95km with 1600m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 120km with 2700m ascent [ride profile]
Day 4: The Green North: Las Medianias, Montañon Negro & Pinos de Galdar
Discover the green lush valleys, terraces and the infamous ‘leg-breaking’ roads of the ‘Medianias’ in the north of Gran Canaria. Rising up from its surroundings is the highlight of the day – Roque Nublo, viewed from Mirador de Pico de la Gorra (1625m), your high point of the day. You arrive here on an ‘uphill bias’ ticking off La Laguna (890m) and Cruz de Tejeda (1516m) as you go.
A long and in places undulating descent takes you past Mirador de Pinos De Galdar (1340m) all the way down to sea level & your hotel in Puerto de las Nieves.
The optional extra on the Challenge Route takes you off to further explore the valleys and barrancos on this lesser known area of the island. It includes the climbs of Cruce de Aridez (950m) and Las Rosas (1240m) before joining the classic route at the junction just before Cruz de Tejeda (1516m).
The ‘gentle day option’ is a short ride up the remote Valley of Agaete to explore the orange orchards, a coffee plantation or a local wine cellar at the foot of the impressive cliffs of Tamadaba. The road finishes at El Sao (516m) just past the Mirador (527m) and leaves you plenty of time to return for a splash in the hotel pool.
Easier option: 20km with 560m ascent
Classic route: 80km with 2000m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 125km with 2900m ascent [ride profile]
Day 5: Anden Verde, Valley of the Tears & Pico de las Nieves
You undulate along an impressive coastal road this morning through the Parque Natural Tamadaba along to the small coastal town of Los Caserones – with the option of nipping up to the viewpoint of Mirador del Balcon (360m) as you go. Los Caserones is the official start of The Valley of The Tears; a wild and remote climb, renowned for its punishing gradients – 10.8km with an average 9%!
From the top at El Aserrador (1350m) the road flattens for a bit, passing Ayacata, a perfect lunch spot for cyclists. The classic route takes you from here to the familiar and welcoming hotel in San Bartolome de Tirajana.
The optional challenge ride today means climbing all the way from the sea to the top of the island at Pico de las Nieves (1950m) using the road from Ayacata to the Natural Monument of Roque Nublo. It’s an extra 11km climb with tough hairpin bends and ramps up soon after leaving Ayacata.
Easier option: (Lift up VOTT) 65km with 1800m ascent
Classic route: 73km with 2400m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 99km with 3200m ascent [ride profile]
Day 6: Explore the SW: Barranco de Mogán & climb to San Bartolomé
Today you head into the rugged and almost uninhabited landscapes of the Southwest, via the cycling mecca of Ayacata. From here, incredible descents made up almost entirely of switchbacks twist and turn their way down to the coast, offering you the option of ticking off the well-surfaced Veneguera (430m) and Degollada de la Aldea (658m) climbs en-route.
The coast road from Puerto de Mogán to Maspalomas provides you with ample opportunities to refuel before you turn inland again and onto your final climb to San Bartolomé de Tirajanas. ‘Enjoy’ the punchy climb to the viewpoint of Degollada de las Yeguas (478m), then the canyon and oasis of Fataga and back to the hotel to celebrate the end of an epic holiday!
Easier option: (Lift to Cruz Grande 86km, with 1650m ascent
Classic route: 98km with 2000m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 123km with 2600m ascent [ride profile]
Day 7: Departure day
After a fabulous holiday in the sun we drop you back to Gran Canaria airport (LPA) for your return flight. Transfer under 1 hour.
For detailed travel information and airport transfer timings, please refer to the Trip Notes.
Trip Album
