Cycling

24 April 2018

Cycling

Adeje is the perfect place to enjoy road biking in any month of the year, with an average temperature of 22 degrees. Many professionals come to train here, especially in winter.

Practical tips:

Don’t forget to take a coat and rain jacket, as in high areas the weather can change unexpectedly.
Check the weather forecast before heading out.
If you go alone, always let notify someone at your hotel reception know and leave a mobile phone number, so someone knows where you are.
Helmet use is obligatory.

Licenses are not necessary, except for groups of more than 50 cyclists. You can request this at the cycling department at the Cabildo de Tenerife or via the Island Cycling Federation.

What do I need? A bike, but don’t worry – in Costa Adeje we have many stores where you can rent all your equipment.

ROUTE 1: Costa Adeje – Trasera de Los Cristianos – Carretera General del sur – La Camella – Granadilla – Vilaflor – Arona – Trasera de Los Cristianos – Costa Adeje

Technical information

Start: Costa Adeje.
Finish: Costa Adeje.
Distance: 62 km (38.5 miles).
Cumulative ascent: 2,332 m (7,651 ft).
Average gradient: 5.8%.
Maximum altitude: 1,380 m (4,527 ft).
Average speed: 20 kph (12.42 mph).
Estimated duration: 3 hours 5 mins.
Difficulty level: Intermediate.

This is a 62 km (38.5 mile) circular route that journeys across the south and west of the Island.

The route starts at Avenida Francisco Ucelay in Costa Adeje. From there, you will climb up towards the TF-1 motorway and turn right onto the TF-481 towards San Eugenio. This road runs parallel to the TF-1 motorway before separating from it at km 1.25 (mile 0.78). Take a left here to cross the motorway and cycle along Avenida Austria. At km 4.25 (mile 2.64), the avenue will lead you back across the motorway to rejoin the TF-481 until crossroads with the TF-28. Take this road and carry on.

You will now come to a constantly uphill stretch with an average gradient of 5% that passes La Camella and Valle San Lorenzo. At km 20 (mile 12.4), you will arrive at the Centinela lookout point, where you will get great views of the south side of the Island and of the beautiful Centinela mountain. The route becomes slightly more gentle after that, for the next 10 km (6.2 miles). This stretch takes you through the towns of San Miguel and Charco del Pino before reaching the town of Granadilla at km 29 (mile 18). Once there, turn left to take the TF-21 towards Vilaflor. On the 13 km (8.1 mile) stretch between the two towns, you will face an average uphill gradient of 6%, with a maximum of 16%. Once at Vilaflor, you will have reached one of Spain’s highest towns, at an altitude of 1,380 m (4,527 ft). This is the highest point on the route, and you will need to change direction here to take the TF-51 towards Las Américas and Arona. It’s all downhill from there, with 14 km (8.7 miles) averaging a gradient of 6% all the way down to Arona.

Carry on down the TF-51 until you reach the town of La Camella, then turn right to take the TF-28 towards Las Américas and Los Cristianos. At km 58 (mile 97.5), you will come to a junction alongside the TF-1 motorway, where you must take the TF-481 (a one-way service road) towards Las Américas. Stick to that side of the motorway and you will eventually join Avenida Austria, followed by Avenida Europa. At the far end you’ll see a roundabout where you need to take the exit onto the TF-481 and cross under the TF-1 motorway before reaching the end of the route on Avenida Francisco Ucelay.

ROUTE 2: Costa Adeje – Trasera de Los Cristianos – Las Galletas – El Médano – San Isidro – Granadilla – Carretera General del Sur – Los Cristianos – Costa Adeje

Technical information

Start: Costa Adeje.
Finish: Costa Adeje.
Distance: 70 km (43.5 miles).
Cumulative ascent: 1,368 m (4,488 ft).
Average gradient: 4.4%.
Maximum altitude: 703 m (1466 ft).
Average speed: 22 kph (12.42 mph).
Estimated duration: 3 hours 10 mins.
Difficulty level: Low.

This is a circular route that starts and finishes in the tourist resort of Costa Adeje. The route travels along the south of the Island. It is quite a comprehensive route, with sections that follow the coastline and others that venture inland. This means you will get to take in different types of scenery along the way.

You will start at Avenida Francisco Ucelay in Costa Adeje, and will climb from there towards the TF-1 motorway. Once there, you will turn right onto the TF-481 towards San Eugenio. This road runs parallel to the TF-1 motorway before separating from it at km 1.25 (mile 0.78). Take a left here to cross the motorway and cycle along Avenida Austria. You will cross back over the motorway at km 4.25 (mile 2.64), and once again take the TF-481 up to the crossroads with the TF-28. Turn right there and cycle down the TF-655. This is a two-lane dual carriageway which will take you to Los Cristianos.

As the TF-655 crosses Avenida Chayofita at a roundabout, you should turn left to access the avenue. Then, take another left turn at the next roundabout to get back onto the TF-655. The road will take you out of the town to km 8 (mile 5), where you will have to turn left to take the TF-662. You will see the Guaza mountain rising to your right. The road takes you under the TF-1 motorway and then continues parallel to it on a slightly hilly road with little traffic.

As you come to the crossing with the TF-66 road, turn right to take that road towards the sea, which is signposted Las Galletas. By this point, you will have reached an altitude of 100 m (328 ft). You will then cross below the TF-1 motorway and begin a non-stop descent until you reach the seaside town of Las Galletas which you will circle along its northern side. Next, take the TF-652 northbound, where you will come to a gentle uphill stretch with a gradient of no more than 4%. After the town of Guargacho, you will reach the TF-1 motorway once again, where you will have to turn right to take the TF-655 towards Las Chafiras. When you come to a large roundabout, turn right to take the TF-65 towards El Guincho and Los Abrigos.

At km 28.5 (mile 17.7), you will reach the seaside town of Los Abrigos. Carry on along the TF-643, which runs parallel to the coast and is practically flat. At km 32 (mile 19.9), you will come to the La Tejita beach, with the protected natural area of Montaña Roja (the Red Mountain) looming above it. Once the mountain is behind you, you will come to El Médano, another coastal town that is very popular among tourists and a great location for all kinds of water sports. As you circle the town, you will reach a crossroads with the TF-64. Take it and head for the mountain, towards San Isidro. This section is entirely uphill. Stick to the same road, which leads you up to Granadilla, at an altitude of 640 m (2,100 ft), with an average gradient of 6%.

From here to the end of the route, you will stay on the TF-28 which has the occasional uphill stretch but is mostly composed of flat and downward stretches. After passing El Charco del Pino and San Miguel, you will reach the Centinela lookout point at km 54 (mile 33.5), where you will get great views of the south side of the Island and of the beautiful Centinela mountain. Afterwards, you will cross through the towns of Valle San Lorenzo and La Camella, and at km 64 (mile 39.8) you will come to a junction alongside the TF-1 motorway, where you must take the TF-481 (a one-way service road) towards Las Américas. Stick to that side of the motorway and you will eventually join Avenida Austria, followed by Avenida Europa. At the end of the avenue, you will come to a roundabout. Turn right onto the TF-481, which takes you under the TF-1 motorway to the end of the route, after a 70 km (43.5 mile) ride.

ROUTE 3: Costa Adeje – Guía de Isora – Chío – Parque Nacional del Teide – Boca Tauce – Vilaflor – Granadilla – San Miguel – La Camella – Trasera de Los Cristianos – Costa Adeje

Technical information

Start: Costa Adeje.
Finish: Costa Adeje.
Distance: 101 km (62.75 miles).
Cumulative ascent: 3,841 m (12,601 ft).
Average gradient: 5.8%.
Maximum altitude: 2,360 m (7,742 ft).
Average speed: 20 kph (12.42 mph).
Estimated duration: 5 hours
Difficulty level: High.

This is one of the Island’s most spectacular routes. It follows the coast, ventures inland and crosses the mountains for a total of 100 km (62 miles). The route has a typical ascent and descent profile, making it comfortable and motivating. It is a circular route, meaning you set off and finish in the same place.

It starts at Costa Adeje, on Avenida Francisco Ucelay. It then heads towards Avenida Jardines del Duque and Calle Agando, after which it exits the city and ventures into the countryside along the Caleta de Fañabé road. Once you reach the town of Adeje, you should continue along the western side of the TF-1 motorway, along Calle Charfa, until you come to the crossroads with the TF-47 road. Go around the roundabout and take the TF-82, a road that runs parallel to the TF-1 motorway on the east side. The route up to this point is extremely challenging as it slopes constantly uphill, which it will continue to do until you get halfway through your journey.

The TF-82 road takes you past the villages of Los Menores and Tejina de Guía to the town of Guía de Isora, 17 km (10.5 miles) into the ride, at an altitude of roughly 570 m (1,870 ft). After passing km 21 (mile 13), turn right to take the TF-38 road towards Teide National Park. Ahead of you are 24 km (14.91 miles) of ascent with an average gradient of 5.6% and stretches with a gradient of up to 10%. You will enter Teide National Park at km 40.5 (mile 25).

The Chío lookout point awaits you at km 45.5 (mile 28.3), where you can stop to take in the fabulous views of Pico Viejo. Here, the climb eases a little, and there are a few flat stretches and a slight descent. Km 48.6 (mile 30.2) brings you to another strategic point on the route: Boca Tauce, a crossroads where you should make a right turn to take the TF-21 towards Vilaflor and Granadilla. From here, a steady descent begins which continues until the end of the route, with a gradient of up to 11%. During your trip, your hard work will be rewarded with fantastic views from a variety of spots.

Once you reach Vilaflor, one of Spain’s highest towns at an altitude of 1,380 m (4,527 ft), stick to the TF-21 to cross the entire town. You will then come to a 13 km (8 mile) descent with an average gradient of 6% and a maximum of 16%, after which you will reach Granadilla. As you come to the town, make a right turn and take the TF-28 towards San Miguel, as shown on the information board.

From here to the end of the route, stay on the TF-28, which will lead you along flat and downward stretches. You will cycle past Charco del Pino and San Miguel. After that, you will pass through the towns of Valle San Lorenzo and La Camella, and at km 96 (mile 59.7) you will come to a junction for the TF-1 motorway, where you should take the TF-481 (a one-way service road) towards Las Américas. Stick to that side of the motorway and you will eventually join Avenida Austria, followed by Avenida Europa. Once you reach the end of the avenue, you will come to a roundabout. Turn right at the roundabout and cross the TF-1 motorway on the TF-481 until you reach the end of the route.

ROUTE 4: Costa Adeje – Trasera de Los Cristianos – Carretera General del Sur – Arafo – dorsal de la Esperanza – Parque Nacional del Teide – Vilaflor – Arona – Trasera de los Cristianos – Costa Adeje

Technical information

Start: Costa Adeje.
Finish: Costa Adeje.
Distance: 162 km (100 miles).
Cumulative ascent: 3,950 m (12,960 ft).
Average gradient: 4.5%.
Maximum altitude: 2,364 m (7,756 ft).
Average speed: 19 kph (11.8 mph).
Estimated duration: 8 hours 30 mins.
Difficulty level: Very high.

This is a very tough route owing to the distance and total ascent. It starts and ends in the tourist resort of Costa Adeje and covers a total distance of 162 km (100 miles), all along the south and west of Tenerife.

You will start at Avenida Francisco Ucelay, and will climb from there towards the TF-1 motorway. Once there, you will turn right onto the TF-481 towards San Eugenio. This road runs parallel to the TF-1 motorway before separating from it at km 5 (mile 3.1). Take a left here to cross the motorway and cycle along Avenida Austria. At km 8.4 (mile 5.2), the avenue will lead you back across the motorway to rejoin the TF-481 until the crossroads with the TF-28. Take this road and carry on.

You will now come to a constantly uphill stretch with an average gradient of 5% that passes La Camella and Valle San Lorenzo. At km 20 (mile 12.4) you will reach the Centinela lookout point, where you will get great views of the south side of the Island and of the beautiful Centinela mountain. For the next 10 km (6.21 miles) after that point, the ascent is more gentle and will take you past the towns of San Miguel and Charco del Pino. The next town you come to is Granadilla at km 22 (mile 13.7), where you should remain on the TF-28.

For the next 44 km (27.34 miles), until you reach the town of Güímar, the route is relatively flat with slight undulations. On your way, you will pass the towns of Arico, Arico el Nuevo, Arico el Viejo, Fasnia and El Escobonal. You can stop at the Don Martín lookout point at km 63.8 (mile 39.6) to take in the views of the Güímar valley. After that, the road takes you down to Güímar, at an altitude of 280 m (918 ft). You will have to come off the TF-28 at km 68.3 (mile 42.4) to make a left turn and take the TF-525, which starts with several sections with gradients of more than 5%.

Where the TF-525 crosses Avenida Venezuela, turn right onto the avenue. As you come into the town of Arafo after a 71 km (44 mile) ride, the TF-525 becomes the TF-523, which will take you to Teide National Park. Next, get ready for a pure uphill stint with an average gradient of 8.8%, with some points reaching as much as 20%. You will be climbing non-stop until km 86 (mile 53.4). When you come to a crossroads with the TF-24, turn left to carry on cycling up it.

The next 12 km (7.45 miles) are also uphill, but will reward you with beautiful scenery from the lookout points of Ayosa at 2,000 m (6,561 ft), La Crucita at 1,980 m (6,496 ft) and La Tarta at 2,120 m (6,955 ft). At km 98 (mile 60.9), you will come to one of the highest points on the route, by the Izaña Astronomical Observatory. There is a crossroads at km 103 (mile 64) where your road meets the TF-21 from La Orotava. Turn left here to take that road towards Mount Teide and Boca Tauce. But before you go on, there is a bar and restaurant on the intersection for you to “refuel”, as well as a Visitors Centre where you will find useful information on your route.

The TF-21 will then lead you past Montaña Blanca (the White Mountain) and the lower station of the Teide Cable Car, at km 113 (mile 70.2). Further ahead, at km 116 (mile 72.1), you will come to the Las Cañadas del Teide Parador hotel, near to the Roques de García lookout point. This stretch, between El Portillo and the Parador hotel, has an average uphill gradient of 3.8%, with the occasional 8% slope.

Stick to the TF-21 and turn left at km 122 (mile 75.8), where you will link up with the TF-38 from Chío. Continue towards Vilaflor and Granadilla. You will now begin an uninterrupted descent to the end of the route with downhill gradients of up to 11%, and you can stop to take in the scenery from a number of points.

You will then reach Vilaflor, at an altitude of 1,380 m (4,527 ft). Cross the town and when you come to km 138 (mile 85.7), turn right onto the TF-51 towards Las Américas and Arona. It’s all downhill from there, with 14 km (8.7 miles) averaging a gradient of 6% all the way down to Arona.

Carry on down the TF-51 to the town of La Camella, then turn right to take the TF-28 towards Las Américas and Los Cristianos. At km 157 (mile 97.5), you will come to a junction alongside the TF-1 motorway, where you must take the TF-481 (a one-way service road) towards Las Américas. Stick to that side of the motorway and you will eventually join Avenida Austria, followed by Avenida Europa. Once you reach the end of the avenue, you will come to a roundabout. Turn right along the TF-481 and cross the TF-1 motorway, where you will reach the end of the route on Avenida Francisco Ucelay.