Cycle routes leaving from Los Cristianos / Las Americas
You may have noticed that many of the rides we have written about on this website are based around the North of Tenerife, mainly because that is where we are located. No matter where you stay on Tenerife however, there are some truly great climbs.
The most obvious rides from Las Americas & Los Cristianos head in up the mountains to the North-East, up past Vilaflor to Las Cañadas and the base of Mt Teide (where the highest road elevation is 2350 metres above sea level). The best road out of Los Cristanos is probably via TF-28 (although there is another back way via TF-657). If you decide to go via TF-28, expect traffic up as far as La Camella. From there, there are essentially three main routes up to Vilaflor:
- Firstly, through San Miguel & then climb up TF21 via Granadilla de Abona (the road from there all the way to the crater is fantastic).
- Secondly, TF51 via La Escalona and Arona. The surface isn’t great but the road is pretty awesome nonetheless.
- There is also a lesser-known road up to Vilaflor, definitely off the beaten track so to speak. Starting in San Miguel, this is along TF-563, a narrower road with no lane markings, so be careful. TF-563 probably has the least amount of cars but it is definitely steeper than TF21.
- Finally a fourth way up (for part of the way anyway) is via TF-565, from El Roque to La Longuera.
Also worth mentioning, you can take the old road TF-28 from Granadilla to Arico, Fasnia, GüÃmar and Arafo. It’s an undulating road and people tell me it is great. I’ve never done it, but if you have your own transport, this would be an awesome route if you are extremely fit.
Palm Mar, Las Galletas, Costa Silencio, Golf del Sur and El Medano are all located in the South East of Tenerife. The only safe way to get to these places from Los Cristianos is the back way via TF-655, which goes to Las Chifiras and beyond. This road parallels highway TF1 (cyclists are wisely not pemitted on major highways here in Spain – that includes TF1 and TF2).
To the North West, there are a lot of coastal towns, namely, La Caleta, Playa ParaÃso, Callao Salvaje, Abama, Playa de San Juan, Alcalá, Puerto Santiago and finally Los Gigantes. GuÃa de Isora is located inland.
- Be aware that TF-47 to Puerto Santiago is usually a pretty busy road with no shoulder much of the way. It doesn’t stop a lot of roadies cycling along this route because it is relatively flatter than a lot of the other rides in Tenerife. If you’re used to commuting amongst city traffic, you’ll most likely find this ride to be okay. On the other hand, many cyclists living in country or rural areas tend to find this road to be too daunting. If you do decide to ride this loop, best to go clockwise, in other words, from Armiñeme -> San Juan -> Tejina (because it’s no fun climbing with cars waiting for you). Keep in mind that once the new highway connection to Santiago del Teide is built (it is expected to be finished by the end of 2013), this coastal route will be a much better option for road cyclists in the not too distant future…
- Generally speaking, the roads either side of TF-82 are all quite steep. That includes TF-465, Piedra Hincada and Hoya Grande. Expect the average gradient of these climbs to be around 20%. Likewise, TF-583 to Taucho, TF-585 to Tijoco Alto and TF-465 to Vero de Erques are equally gruelling. Same goes for the «Teide shortcut» from GuÃa de Isora via Chirche (although the narrow lane between Chirche & Chirgergue is quite magical).
- There is one notable exception – the quiet climb from Playa San Juan up to GuÃa de Isora up TF-463.
- The famous Masca valley is also within reach via Arguayo and then returning through Tamaimo – totally breathtaking scenery. Best to check out our Los Gigantes guide for more info on riding around that region…
The Anaga region is also spectacular, about an hour’s drive on TF1. Finally, if you’re still reading this and running out of riding options, consider hopping across to La Gomera on the ferry – totally amazing cycling over there!
In order to avoid the very busy TF28 to get to La Camella from Los Christianos, cycle up the Av. San Francisco – very steep – turn right at the top, and after approx 200 metres turn off left by the garage – under the motorway, past the Monkey Park, then turn left up the Camino Real Llano Azul – it doesn’t have a road number, is also very steep in places, but brings you out at the roundabout in La Camella – no traffic and very good tarmac – winner in my book! Same route back.
Thanks Sydney I recently used your route out of Los cristianos up to La camella it was spot on and very handy for me as I was starting from near the top of Av San Francisco.