Cycling in the Canary Islands in winter, while temperatures back home are still low, is always a special experience. Who wouldn’t enjoy the generally dry, predictable weather and temperatures of around 20–25°C from November to April (sometimes even 28–30°C)? Ideal conditions for cycling.
An extraordinary destination deserves an extraordinary, exclusive tour! During these eight days, we’ll tackle some of the island’s most beautiful climbs. We’ll stay in a comfortable hotel with a swimming pool, breakfast and dinner included, in twin rooms. The tour dates are aligned with available flights, and our comfortable accommodation will help you recover and get ready for the next day’s ride.
Gran Canaria is a visually stunning island of contrasts. The south has arid, rocky landscapes with few trees and plenty of cacti. Some valleys look like a cross between Arizona and Texas. The north is very different: greener, more wooded, full of lush vegetation and more developed.
The roads are excellent, the people are friendly, and cycling is so popular that drivers are generally considerate of cyclists (and of rental cars too!). Food is good and affordable, the infrastructure is great, and the island is a fantastic place to ride.
Travel
We travel to and from Gran Canaria by air. Airport and local transfers are provided by minibus.
Please note: everyone must book their own flights. Your flight times should fit the tour schedule, although you are welcome to arrive earlier or stay longer.
We recommend booking your place and flights as soon as possible, as this period is popular. Suggested Ryanair flights: outbound on 1 February at 07:10 (FR2968), return on 8 February at 12:10 (FR2967). Please verify schedules and availability directly with the airline before booking.
When?
1–8 February 2027 (Monday to Monday). Places are still available!
Prices for 2027
Standard price: EUR 1,350
Returning guest price: EUR 1,290 (How do you become a returning guest?)
Club member price (How do you become a club member?)
- Aluminium / Carbon: EUR 1,290
- Titanium: EUR 1,215
Group size
Minimum 5, maximum 7 participants.
Booking and payment
To sign up, complete the booking form (at the top right of the page, or in the middle or at the bottom on mobile). You do not need to pay while filling in the form: we only ask for your details. Afterwards, we will email you a deposit request with the bank account information and the amount to pay. We will send further details by email.
What if all places are taken?
If you don’t tell us you’re interested, we won’t know you want to join! If the tour is full, or if your group is larger than the number of remaining places, please get in touch. We can add you to the waiting list, and cancellations may create an opportunity. If demand is high, we may organise another departure or increase group capacity, subject to accommodation availability. Contact us here.
Need help?
- How do I book? (FAQ)
- Have a question or need clarification? Call or write to us, or subscribe to our newsletter.
Important information
Deposit: 40% of the tour price (required to confirm your booking). See our Terms and Conditions.
Booking deadline: 1 January 2027.
What’s included in the price:
Accommodation in a comfortable four-star hotel with a swimming pool
Breakfast and dinner (half board)
Guided cycling tours
Transport on the island and airport transfers
What’s not included in the price:
Flights
Bike rental
Additional accommodation on the island
Lunch, snacks and drinks during the day
Personal insurance (optional)
Optional activities
Entrance fees
About the tour
The Canary Islands are a mecca for cyclists in winter and early spring, attracting WorldTour and professional teams for training camps. Gran Canaria is a spectacular island of contrasts: the south is dry and rocky with very few trees and lots of cacti, and its dramatic valleys recall Arizona and Texas. The north is greener and more wooded, with lush vegetation and more development. Road surfaces, particularly near the coast, are excellent. Food is good and affordable, and the island has great infrastructure.
However, cycling here is not easy, especially early in the season when you may not yet be ready for what awaits. The long and sometimes steep climbs can be gruelling, and seeing much of the island involves both considerable elevation gain and long distances. You need to prepare properly!
Unlike Tenerife, Gran Canaria also offers flatter stretches and gentler valley roads, not just climbing and descending. (On Tenerife, every road seems to lead to Mount Teide – read our description.) Each riding day covers substantial distance and elevation, rewarded by unforgettable views and panoramas. Only join us if you are prepared for the challenge!
Who is this tour for?
Confident road cyclists with good bike-handling skills.
Riders who appreciate comfortable, high-quality hotel accommodation and the option to skip a riding day if needed.
Those who enjoy a serious challenge.
Those who want to keep riding throughout the winter.
Riders who are fit enough by early February to tackle these climbs.
Who is this tour not for?
Riders who have never tackled major climbs and are not yet confident handling their bike. This is not the place to start.
Anyone who struggles with several demanding riding days in succession.
Bikes
Everyone uses a rented road bike on this tour. We can help organise your rental! Rental typically costs EUR 150–250, depending on the bike you choose. The rental period should cover the riding days, from the morning of 2 February to the evening of 7 February. The hotel also offers bike rental with delivery directly to the property, so you do not need to collect the bike elsewhere. We will send rental details after you sign up.
Difficulty
The rides are very demanding (5/5). Even people with a generally sporty fitness level should only attempt them with strong endurance, determination and/or extensive cycling experience. (More information: How difficult are our tours? Is this tour suitable for you?)
For any other questions, read our FAQ, email us or give us a call.
Day 1: Flight to Gran Canaria
Travel independently by air, arrive on the island and take the organised transfer.
Day 2: San Bartolomé, GC-60 and GC-65
We jump straight into the action on our first riding day, heading for one of the island’s most scenic roads – but without overdoing it. We ride towards Fataga and climb the GC-60 to San Bartolomé, before descending towards the GC-65 and returning to the coast via Agüimes and the GC-550. This is our introduction to the island’s interior and the route towards Pico de las Nieves. Although this is our first major ride, the ascent to San Bartolomé is a proper climb, followed by one of the most beautiful descents on the island. Both the climb and descent offer superb scenery, and the GC-505 detour is particularly attractive (but optional).
Distance: 83 km. Elevation gain: 1,650 m. Difficulty: 4/5.
Day 3: To the summit – Ayacata, Soria and Pico de las Nieves
On our second riding day, we aim for the top! This outstanding loop climbs to Pico de las Nieves, the island’s highest point. Starting at the hotel, we follow the undulating coastal road before turning inland towards Soria through a beautiful, relatively gentle valley. The Soria climb is spectacular, averaging around 8%, with ramps of 12–14% before the GC-605. The stretch to Ayacata, our final stopping point before the summit, is easier; the climb from there to Pico de las Nieves is more lengthy than steep. The real challenge is that we are climbing almost from the start, including two long ascents of roughly 20 km and 16 km with gradients of 6–12%. We descend on the familiar GC-60.
Distance: 115 km. Elevation gain: 2,700 m. Difficulty: 5/5.
Day 4: Rest day – optional Ayaguares ride
Time for some recovery! If you still feel like riding, we can take on an easier climb towards the Ayaguares reservoir. It is not particularly difficult, but it is beautiful.
Distance: 13 km. Elevation gain: 500 m. Difficulty: 3/5. (Please confirm whether 13 km refers to the climb or the full ride.)
Day 5: Valley of the Tears (VoTT)
The Valley of the Tears (VoTT) is Gran Canaria’s most famous – and notorious – climb, with a reputation that is thoroughly deserved. Today we take on this legendary ascent. First, we follow the coast to Mogán, climb to around 650 metres, and plunge almost back to sea level before heading deep into the island along a beautiful valley. That is where the VoTT begins: 12 km with around 960 metres of climbing, a seriously demanding challenge. Once at the top, we descend from Ayacata along our familiar route.
Distance: 120 km. Elevation gain: 3,200 m. Difficulty: 5/5.
Day 6: Mogán
By this point we’ll be feeling the previous days in our legs, so today is a more relaxed ride to save energy for our final big day. We follow the coastal GC-200 to Mogán and return.
Distance: 60 km. Elevation gain: 700 m. Difficulty: 2/5.
Day 7: Serenity climb and the GC-210 loop
We finish our riding programme with a serious challenge on one of Gran Canaria’s most spectacular winding roads. We actually start from Mogán (getting there partly by bike and partly by boat), then climb the famous switchbacks of the GC-605, known as Serenity, towards Ayacata. From there we descend the Valley of the Tears, join the GC-210 for a loop, and finally descend towards our base.
Distance: 125 km. Elevation gain: approximately 3,400 m. Difficulty: 5/5.
Day 8: Return journey
Transfer to the airport and flight home.
We stay in a comfortable four-star hotel with a swimming pool, with breakfast and dinner included, in twin rooms.
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