Tour of Tenerife & El Teide
Road Cycling Holidays in the Canary Islands
- Enjoy some winter sun, riding the same excellent roads as the professional cyclists
- Flexible itinerary, where you can cycle as much or little as you like – suitable for all levels, individuals or groups
- Routes showcasing the entire island
- Take on the epic Mt Teide climb from 3 directions (optional)
- Stay in 3 comfy hotels (i.e. not moving on every night), including one with spa facilities
- Cheap flights from UK regional airports
- Fully supported holiday with two support vehicles and knowledgeable, enthusiastic guides – slightly different format, but same fantastic Marmot experience!
- E-bike hire available locally!
Days on the bike
This was my 3rd tour with Marmot. Each year I come on my own and each year I have a great time. Everyone has similar interests and it is really enjoyable to share the marmot experience with a new group of friends. I shall be back again next year.
A Burke
Introduction
With a perfect climate for cycling (av. 18 – 20 degrees), dramatic scenery and smooth tarmac that climbs ‘forever’, it is easy to see why Tenerife in the Canary Islands is one of the world’s top winter cycling destinations. Amateur and professional cyclists alike migrate to the island between October and April and as such, the island has developed a worthy reputation as one of the best places to ride a bike.
As with all of our Classic Cols style holidays, this itinerary has been carefully crafted to showcase the best of Tenerife. We probe the quiet, hidden corners of the island as well as giving you the opportunity to take on the infamous Mt Teide (up various routes), one of the longest climbs in Europe. Naturally, you traverse the Teide National Park, but you also get to explore the rugged mountainous extremities of the island.
During the week, you stay in three comfortable 3-4* star hotels, each with its charm (and one of them with relaxing spa facilities!). Each is nestled in a rural mountain location and from these high-altitude vantage points we have planned a wonderful variety of routes, making this holiday suitable for fit cyclists with varying aspirations and experience of cycling in the mountains. If you choose to stick to our Classic route, you cycle an average of 62km a day, with 1492m of ascent, but if you are looking for more training or more challenge then just include our optional extras to cycle an average of 99km/day with 2617m ascent.
In comparison, the classic route for this trip is easier than our Classic Cols of Gran Canaria and perfect for those that are wanting to warm up their winter legs for a summer on the bike, whilst the challenge route still packs a punch for those of you looking for serious training!
Please note that due to local regulations, we won’t be able to bring our customised Marmot vans or titanium hire bikes to the island. Instead, we will be using local companies for transfers as well as bike hire and hire support vans on the island. However, you’ll still be supported in the usual Marmot style and by two of our skilled and enthusiastic guides during your holiday.
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.
Head over to our You Tube channel to see a video of this fantastic trip!
Departure Dates & Prices
2024
Discount Information
We are pleased to offer some tempting discounts off the basic trip cost (not including extras such as single rooms or bike hire):
- Book & pay your deposit more than 6 months in advance of the start of your holiday for our 5% early bookers discount
- Get a group of 10+ people together for a 7.5% group discount and, as the group organiser, receive a £150 voucher for your next holiday
- Be rewarded for your loyalty by receiving a 10% discount from your 3rd Marmot trip onwards
Please note that there is a maximum 10% discount on any holiday.
Map
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival day
We offer included airport transfers (a journey of 45 mins) at scheduled times during the day from Tenerife’s Southern Airport (TFS) to your hotel in Vilaflor. We stay here for 2 nights, then return to it to end your cycling holiday.
Full travel advice (essential reading before booking your flights) and airport transfer timings can be found in our Trip Notes.
Day 1: The Classic Climbs of the South
Head off on a wonderful warm-up to your week of cycling and a chance to see the best of the dry, volcanic south of the island. The viewpoint ‘Mirador de la Centinela’ (‘pirate lookout’) with its almost 360-degree view gives you your bearings as you descend towards the south coast, stopping short of suburban Tenerife to head up your climb for today: the TF21 to Vilaflor.
This spectacular bit of road meanders its way up the side of the volcano through a series of vertical cuttings that have been hewn out of the solidified volcanic ash. After lunch in Vilaflor you have the tricky decision of whether to relax on the hotel terrace with a beer or to head back out on the bike for some more sunshine km!
Classic route: 47km with 1100m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 74km with 1900m ascent [ride profile]
Day 2: Las Cañadas del Teide to La Laguna
From Vilaflor at 1400m the sunken crater of the El Teide Volcano (Las Cañadas) is, rather fortuitously, within easy reach. The imposing Pico del Teide, with its summit at over 3700m (the highest point in Spain) looms above you but fortunately for us cyclists, the tarmac road rises just to Tabonal Negro (2342m)! From the high point, head along the NE ridge of the island, involving a bit more climbing up to the space observatory followed by an awe-inspiring descent to La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage town. Your hotel for the night, Hotel Laguna, has a ‘countercurrent’ pool and sauna, as well as massage service (to be booked in advance).
If you are looking for more time on the bike, the challenge route takes in the slightly bizarre Pyramids of Güímar, before climbing back up to the rib of the island from its challenging eastern flanks to Cuatro Tiempos.
Classic route: 81km with 1600m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 139km with 3300m ascent [ride profile]
Day 3: The rugged coastline and mountains of Anaga
The coastal routes of the northeastern peninsula are wild, deserted and fabulous to explore by bike. Above 600m the Anaga mountains are carpeted in lush rainforest; this is a UNESCO recognised biosphere reserve with hugely diverse flora and fauna. Pause to think, as you cycle them, that these roads are built on rock 7 – 9 million years old!
Follow the coast to the beautiful marina village of San Andres before heading inland and up to 600m (over 10.7km), to El Bailadero. Decision time: do you follow the Classic route back to the hotel via the lovely climb of Pico del Inglés, or do you carry on a little longer, taking the remote mountain road to Chamorga, then throwing in a spectacular descent to the coastal village of Benijo for a coffee stop? It’s all too tempting and every choice is a winner!
Classic route: 53km with 1250m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 85km with 2700m ascent [ride profile]
Day 4: The North of the island to Santiago del Teide
Today we take on El Teide from its most challenging northern side via a beautiful 38km (22km for the Classic Route) climb through lush forests and with great views. Whilst the Challenge riders start by heading across the historic northern coast of Tenerife, we offer lifts for the Classic and Harder routes to get straight to the climb of the day. It’s well worth stopping off at the café in El Portillo on the crater rim, which commands stunning views of the summit of El Teide (3718m).
After an otherworldly experience cycling through the moonscape which is the crater, you enjoy a wonderfully long 30km descent before a smaller (340m) climb back up to the hotel. We finish the day in Santiago del Teide at the welcoming Hotel La Casona del Patio with its museum of local agriculture and daily tea ceremony in the cosy atrium room (or opt for a cool beer, if you prefer!)
Classic route: 72km with 1500m ascent [ride profile]
Harder route: 86km with 2380m ascent
Challenge route: 118km with 2900m ascent [ride profile]
Day 5: Mascá and the mountains of Teno
The northwestern peninsular of Tenerife boasts spectacular mountain scenery and, not surprisingly, is another national park. Your route today takes you into the heart of the Teno mountains, one of the 3 volcanic areas that form Tenerife.
After a small climb to start the day, enjoy a descent to the wild seaside hamlet of Garachico on a series of tight switch-backs that have been carved out of a lava flow! Cycle along to Buenavista del Norte on the coast where those on the Challenge route can choose the worthy ‘there and back’ detour following a narrow road to the picturesque lighthouse in Punta del Teno on the most western point of the island.
This gives cyclists on the Classic route a head start for the main climbing of the day! Pass through El Palmar before you head onwards to the isolated hamlet of Mascá, on ‘roller-coaster’ roads that hug the rugged cliffs.
Despite the rides being relatively short today, the gradients of Mirador de Cherfe ensure a suitable element of challenge to the day!
Classic route: 59km with 1750m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 77km with 2150m ascent [ride profile]
Day 6: Sea to Summit Teide Challenge
It is entirely appropriate that the focus of your last day is Mount Teide. The affectionately named TF-38 from Chío to the high point of Teide’s crater, Tabonal Negro (2324m), is a challenging but steady ride with kind gradients, smooth tarmac and beautiful views.
If you are a purist, you will need to follow the Challenge route today, descending first to Puerto de Santiago, so you have the opportunity of cycling up Teide from sea to summit, an additional 1000m of climbing.
At the summit, we highly recommend a cool drink on the terrace of the Parador hotel. Amazingly situated, the hotel welcomes pro teams from around the world for their winter training, so you may even get to do a bit of pro-spotting!
All that then remains is to enjoy the fabulous descent back to our hotel in Vilaflor, where your cycling adventure started 6 days ago.
Classic route: 56km with 1650m ascent [ride profile]
Challenge route: 96km with 2650m ascent [ride profile]
Day 7: Departure day
All good things must come to an end. We will transfer you back to Tenerife’s Southern airport (TFS) at scheduled times during the day.
Full travel advice (essential reading before booking your flights) and airport transfer timings can be found in our Trip Notes.
Trip Album
