Roads to avoid in Tenerife:

[Synchronicity]

- The road TF38 between Boca del Tauce and Chio is generally in a pretty shitty condition. Why? It has several large potholes, especially closer to Boca del Tauce. Yes it is possible to do on a road bike (better with 25c tyres I'd imagine), but the road is badly in need of resurfacing. The main problem is that the asphalt/bitumen matrix has worn away, exposing the relatively coarse aggregate, so it just isn't smooth anymore. I'm sure they'll eventually resurface it. In it's current state, you probably won't enjoy riding it on a road bike. On a MTB this is not a problem. But please don't misunderand me: it's one of the least travelled routes to get to Mt Teide.

- The road TF51 between Vilaflor & La Escalona. While there's nothing wrong with the actual surface, for some reason, it's lumpier than hastily-made custard. So more than 20km/hr feels very bumpy. Again, mountainbikes with slicks won't have any trouble coping with this road.

- If you're planning on cycling along the coast between Costa Adeje and Los Gigantes, know that road TF47 now experiences a pretty constant stream of traffic. There is also no shoulder. For this reason, if you're travelling between Las Americas/Los Chrisitanos and the west of Tenerife, going via TF82 to Guía de Isora is a much better route for cycling than TF47.

- The short road TF24 between La Esperanza and La Laguna is narrow, with high speed traffic. As far as I remember there is no shoulder, and cars shoot past like missiles along this stretch.


- Riding on the three Tenerife freeways TF1, TF2 and TF5 is prohibited by spanish traffic law.




- If you know of any other poor-quality roads not suitable for road bikes, please e-mail me, and I'll add them here when I can.

[Synchronicity]

TIPS FOR THE SOUTH:

When riding west of Las Americas resort, you can avoid riding on TF1 entirely by travelling past the Sheraton via the small coastal town of La Caleta. There are no cars, the road is great (if a little steep) and it emerges close to the roundabout right at the end of TF1 and the start of TF82 to Guía de Isora.

Likewise, to go East or North of Los Christianos, it is better to travel along road TF655. The first part of road TF28 sees fairly heavy traffic. I believe the best way to do the loop around Valle San Lorenzo / San Miguel / Arona is via TF655, TF66 and then TF657.

Also consider taking TF655 and TF65 via El Guincho & Las Zocas to get to the brilliant climb to Granadilla de Abona & Vilaflor (TF21).

[Synchronicity]

TIPS FOR THE NORTH:

The best road to get from El Puerto de la Cruz to La Laguna and the Anaga region is the old road TF217 which passes through Santa Ursula, La Victoria and La Matanza. From La Matanza, take the bridge over the TF5 highway, turn left at the roundabout and take the next right. This will lead you to El Sauzal & Tacoronte...

To get onto that road from Puerto de la Cruz, follow the Martianez exit, then continue under the TF5 highway bridge. At the next roundabout, follow the sign to "Cuesta de la Villa" and Santa Ursula.

This is also a better way to climb Mt Teide with less traffic. Near Cuesta de la Villa, turn right into road TF211 back along Humbolt lookout which is a more scenic & peaceful way to get to La Orotava.

To go west of Puerto de la Cruz, either go via El Durazno or else Las Dehesas via TF315 instead of TF5.

[Claudius]

The road TF38 between Boca del Tauce and Chio is generally pretty shitty.

That's definitly right!
Nonetheless, in my opinion, it will lead you through one of the most interesting landscapes on the island.
I would strongly recommend to go it only uphill if you ride a road bike.
The worst part is short before Boca del Tauce (if you go up from Chio) - I have carried my bike (Leslie's bike ) over about 200 metres... the road isn`t much more than a trail there!

The landscape:


The road near Boca del Tauce:

[Synchronicity]

I'm pleased to report that road TF21 around Aguamansa, Barroso, and Camino de Chasna has been totally resurfaced! It's great news!!!!

[Synchronicity]

I'm contemplating making a pdf document of all the TF roads in Tenerife. I plan to include their condition (1-5 star rating, length and traffic estimation)

You'll be able to download it & use then it to plan journeys and also as a reference while you are staying in Tenerife.

It's very time consuming, so I first thought I'd ask if members think it's a good idea.

[TinS84]

It's a very good idea!! (Especially for your customers)

[potdog]

You will also be happy to know that the TF65 from Las Chafiras to San Miguel is in the process of being completely resurfaced. This was a terrible stretch of road with loads of potholes and a heavily broken surface.

[Synchronicity]

Several road reports in this update:

The road down from Tamaimo TF454 and a very small section of TF82 has now been resurfaced.
The road between Icod and La Guancha (TF362) is in the process of being resurfaced & looks like it will upgraded footpath/side lane.

The coastal route between Armiñeme and Alcalá now sees pretty congested traffic during weekdays. If you're staying in the South of Tenerife, it's best to avoid TF47 where possible and disappear up one of the side roads instead (eg TF463 is a great little climb!).

When the new island circuit road is completed (by the end of 2012), less traffic is to be expected along TF47 and TF82 (hence better for cycling). Anyway, this new road network will link Adeje and Santiago del Teide, and also go as far as to Icod de los Vinos. They are working on it now and you can see new tunnels and roundabouts in several places in Tenerife... More info about the new road to come in future...

[Synchronicity]

The highway linking between Las Americas, Guía de Isora & Santiago del Teide is now well underway and the expected completion date is around the end of 2013.

More info here.