Travel Gran Canaria on a gravel bike it can be one of the best experiences you will have in your life. And this island is an earthly paradise, ideal for cycling and suitable for bike packing. Possibly it is the best bike packing route in the Canary Islands. Below, we give you all the information you will need to organize your trip through Gran Canaria on a gravel bike.
A track to explore Gran Canaria on a gravel bike
In this entry we share with you the challenge of tour the entire island along the most important dirt tracks. And, at the same time, it passes through some of the essential places what to see in Gran Canaria. Gravel bikes are perfect for getting to know the island by doing a mix between paved roads in good or bad condition, dirt tracks and easy trails. Next, we give you all the details of the track that you can divide into stages depending on your physical fitness and available days.
| Complete track kilometers | 339 km |
| Total promotion | 9168 m |
| % asphalt/dirt | 45/55 |
Complete Gran Canaria track on gravel bike
Next, you can download the full track of the route that covers the island by gravel bike. This track is in .gpx format and you can follow it from your Garmin-type GPS or even with the Guru Maps app from your smartphone. Here we'll explain to you how to do it.
In how many days can I do the complete track?
Keep in mind that the complete track has almost 10.000 meters of accumulated positive elevation gain and that it is 339 km. This is the best track you will find to explore Gran Canaria on a gravel bike. Therefore, we recommend that you be Be cautious when planning and calculating the time it will take. Take previous routes you have done and your physical form as a reference. There is a 20% gradient ramp. If you are going to do the mode route bike packing, take a good look at the developments that your bike has to climb these slopes with a loaded bike.
To do the track in a relaxed way it can take between 4 and 6 days, but taking into account the data we give you, you decide how to distribute the kilometers. Please note that when the full track was recorded for Touring the entire island of Gran Canaria was done in four stages. However, in 2023 a small part of the complete track was updated, making the description and division that we detail below by stage is indicative. In any case, we have decided to leave the information in case it would be useful for you to know what you will find in each area of the island.
✔ Stage 1: Arucas – Las Palmas de GC – Telde – Valsequillo – Pico de Las Nieves
| kilometers | 75 km approx |
| Total promotion | 2.860m approx |
| % asphalt/dirt | 50/50 |
The first stage of this spectacular route through Gran Canaria by bike gravel Starts at Arucas, a beautiful town in the north of Gran Canaria. Next, we will head towards Las Palmas de Gran Canaria along secondary roads and dirt roads, passing through The Giles, with spectacular views of the island's capital. Then, we will continue along the maritime avenue until its end. Here we will advance until we reach the Telde ravine, from where we will return to the path along a dirt track until we reach the historic center of Telde.
From there we will head to Valley of nine to travel a dirt track towards the town of Valsequillo. Once there we will connect with the legendary Las Haciendas track, which ends at the Marteles Caldera. At this point we will walk a little through Picón, to find a hidden path that links to a track with views of the Risco Blanco. This track will take you to the very Snow Peak. One of the highest points on the island and where we will end Stage 1.
Below we show you a video of stage 1,Subscribe to our YouTube channel RIDER Jorge if you haven't already!
✔ Stage 2: Pico de las Nieves – El Burrero – Arinaga – Maspalomas – Chira – Ayacata
| kilometers | 124 km approx |
| Total promotion | 2.575m approx |
| % asphalt/dirt | 40/60 |
The second stage begins by going down a of the most legendary roads in Gran Canaria, Known for being one of the toughest ports in Europe. We will link it with a hidden dirt track adorned with cardones and red earth, in the purest style of the American Far West.
We will arrive at the coast, to explore it along dirt and sand tracks and paths (all cyclable), bordering beautiful beaches until reaching the Lighthouse of Maspalomas. Point where we will go up to the Chira dam on a hard and cinematic road lost in the middle of the south of the island. We will change to dirt tracks that will leave us near the Ayacata crossing.
Below you can see a video of stage 2,Subscribe to our YouTube channel RIDER Jorge if you haven't already!
✔ Stage 3: Las Niñas – Los Azulejos – La Aldea – Artenara – Firgas
| kilometers | 116 km approx |
| Elevation | 2714m approx |
| % asphalt/dirt | 50/50 |
Stage 3 continues from the known Ayacata crossing. He starts going down the Las Niñas dam to the Mogán highway. This is one of the most beautiful roads in the Canary Islands. Then we will go through Tiles, One mountains of brutal colors.
We then headed towards The village, where we will begin to go down dirt tracks surrounded by cacti like in the wild west. We will arrive at La Aldea beach to rest with a good coffee with views of the sea.
Afterwards, this route continues climbing over land and abandoned roads until Green Platform, where we will enjoy the views towards the dragon tail. Then climb the legendary Tirma dirt track to the Tamadaba Natural Park.
Here you have the option to camp or continue towards Artenara, a nice town and place to eat well. Next, the tour of Gran Canaria on Gravel Bike continues along dirt tracks until Cross of Tejeda. At this point you can make a stop to enjoy a sweet canary. With the forces restored, The route continues along secret paths, only known to RIDERS local and takes you to the outskirts of the town of Agua, Firgas. Here we finish the track of stage 3.
Below we leave you with a video of this stage.
✔ Stage 4: Firgas – Moya – Fontanales – Guide – Arucas
| kilometers | 73 km approx |
| Total promotion | 2.659m approx |
| % asphalt/dirt | 55/45 |
Stage 4 of the Gran Canaria gravel bike track starts at the Los Chorros crossing (Firgas) along secret red dirt trails. From here it starts to climb towards Valsendero by road and dirt tracks, where we will connect with a portage to the town of Moya. At this point you must face the last hard climb of the track until you reach Pines of Gáldar, where we will connect along Picón tracks with fountains.
From there it passes through secondary roads mixed with dirt tracks lost among the mountains of northern Gran Canaria. Subsequently, it reaches Guía, to continue towards Arucas along the mythical highway of the Cenobio de Valeron, a very representative archaeological site of the island. Finally, the route connects with Arucas along a final dirt track to put the finishing touch to this mega Complete route through Gran Canaria on Gravel Bike or MTB.
Below you can see a video of stage 4. Don't miss the outcome of the route!
We hope you can enjoy this very much track to discover Gran Canaria on MTB or gravel bike. If you have any questions, leave us a comment. Surely this doubt may be common for other cyclists. Finally, if you do not have time to organize this tour of the island, below you can see all our gravel bike routes through Gran Canaria. They are shorter routes and most of them are circular. Besides, We have a special pack of five routes for youi.
Hello! I am Ruth, Canarian with a traveling soul. With training and experience in the tourism and digital marketing sector. In this blog I tell you all the tips you need to get to know the most authentic side of Gran Canaria on your own. I also share my travel guides to all the places in the world that I am visiting so that you can discover the destinations like a local and save time planning. In addition to traveling, I love gastronomy and sports. I run and hike in the mountains with my “dog-children” (Silver and Plata). In all these adventures my partner accompanies me, Jorge, which you will also see a lot on this blog.
I am very interested in doing this route. Before buying the track, a few questions.
It would be available on October 3 in the afternoon to leave from Las Palmas (depart at 18,30:1 p.m.) for the 2st stage. Two full days for stage 3 and 4. And half a day for stage 14,30 arriving in Las Palmas at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.
I would rent a Gravel in Las Palmas and go alone.
I ride a road bike a lot (10.000km/year)
Do you see my planning as feasible? Do you include places to eat and spend the night in the track? Tips?
Thanks for everything.
Hello Iñaki!
Thank you very much for your comment. We encourage you to take the route, the island will surprise you!
First of all, let me tell you that the track only includes the track hehe. There is no guide with places to sleep and eat because that depends on how each person organizes it, but with the description we give of the towns where you can stop and, depending on the pace you take, you can plan everything. I don't think there will be a problem with availability in rural houses on those dates.
Finally, if you are in shape, it is feasible to do it as you mention. Jorge He did the whole track followed as a challenge recently. It was 26 hours with almost no sleep.
We hope we have helped.
A greeting.