Explore Gran Canaria on a Gravel Bike: tracks, stages and video

Touring Gran Canaria on a Gravel Bike can be one of the best experiences you will have in your life. And this island is an earthly paradise, ideal for cycling.

A track to explore Gran Canaria on a Gravel Bike

In this post we share with you the challenge of touring the entire island along the most important dirt tracks. And, at the same time, that you visit the must-sees of Gran Canaria. Gravel Bikes are perfect for getting to know the island by mixing paved roads in good or bad condition, dirt tracks and easy trails. The tracks that we show below are made to cover the entire island of Gran Canaria in several stages. However, you have the option to download the complete track and do it on the days you need. We have divided it into four and it is suitable for bike packing.

> Full track Gran Canaria on a Gravel Bike

Then you can download the track of the route in .gpx format so that you can follow it on your own without getting lost. If you don’t know how to download it and follow it from your navigator or smartphone with the app Gurú Maps, we’ll explain it to you here. If you want to buy the complete track that includes the four stages we have a special price and you would be saving € 1,97.

In how many days can I do the complete track?

Bear in mind that the complete track has more than 10,000 metres of accumulated positive height gain and 387 km. This is the best track you will find for touring Gran Canaria on a gravel bike. Therefore, we recommend you to be cautious when planning and calculating the time it will take you. Take into account previous routes you have done and your fitness level. There are some 20% gradients, and if you are going to do the route in bike packing mode, check the gearing of your bike to climb these slopes with the bike loaded.

To do the track in a relaxed and unhurried way, we would say that it can take between 4 and 6 days. We have divided it into 4 stages, but what has been said, taking into account the data we give you, you decide how to distribute the kilometers. Below we will give you detailed information on each stage, as well as the sites you can visit.

✔ Stage 1: Arucas – Las Palmas de GC – Telde – Valsequillo – Pico de Las Nieves

The first stage of this spectacular route through Gran Canaria on a Gravel Bike begins in Arucas village, a beautiful town in the north of Gran Canaria. Next, we will go to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by secondary roads and dirt roads, passing through Los Giles, with spectacular views of the capital of the island. Then, we will continue along the maritime avenue until its completion. Here we will advance until we reach the Telde ravine, from where we resume the path along a dirt track until we reach the historic center of Telde.

From there we will go to the Valley Valle de Los Nueve to travel a dirt track towards the town of Valsequillo. Once there we will link up with the mythical Las Haciendas track, which ends at the Caldera de los Marteles. At this point we will walk a little through gravel, to find a hidden path that connects with a track with views of the Risco Blanco. This track will take you to Pico de las Nieves itself. One of the highest points on the island and where we will end Stage 1.

> Track Stage 1 Gran Canaria on a Gravel Bike

Then you can download the track of stage 1 of the route described above. You can follow this track from your Garmin-type navigator or even with the Guru Maps app from your smartphone. Here we’ll explain to you how to do it.

✔ Stage 2: Pico de las Nieves – El Burrero – Arinaga – Maspalomas – Chira – Ayacata

The second stage begins by going down one of the most mythical roads in Gran Canaria, known for being one of the hardest ports in Europe. We will link it with a secluded dirt track adorned with cactus and red earth, in the purest style of the American Wild West. We will arrive at the coast, to travel along tracks and dirt and sand trails (all cyclable), skirting beautiful beaches until we reach the Maspalomas Lighthouse. Point where we will go up to the Chira dam along 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 in the vicinity of the Ayacata crossing.

> Track Stage 2 Gran Canaria on a Gravel Bike

Below you can download the track of stage 2 of this route. The track can be followed from a Garmin-type navigator or with your mobile thanks to the Guru Maps app. Here we’ll explain to you how to do it.

✔ Stage 3: Las Niñas – Los Azulejos – La Aldea – Artenara – Firgas

The stage 3 continues from the well-known Ayacata junction. It begins by going down the Las Niñas dam to the Mogán road. This is one of the most beautiful roads in the Canary Islands. Then we will pass through Los Azulejos, incredible mountains of colors. Then we head to La Aldea, where we will begin to go down dirt tracks surrounded by cactus like in the Wild West. We will get to the beach of La Aldea to rest with a good coffee overlooking the sea.

Subsequently, this route continues climbing over land and abandoned roads to Andén Verde, where we will enjoy the views of the dragon tail. Then go up the legendary Tirma dirt track to the Tamadaba forest. Here you have the option of camping or continuing to Artenara, a beautiful town and a place to eat well. Next, the tour of Gran Canaria on a Gravel Bike continues along dirt tracks to Cruz de Tejeda. At this point you can make a stop to enjoy a Canarian sweet. After this break, the route continues along secret trails, only known by local riders and takes you to the vicinity of Firgas village. Here we end the track of stage 3.

> Track Stage 3 Gran Canaria on a Gravel Bike

Below you can download the track of stage 3 of this route. The track can be followed from a Garmin-type navigator or with your mobile thanks to the Guru Maps app. Here we’ll explain to you how to do it.

✔ Stage 4: Firgas – Moya – Fontanales – Guía – Arucas

Stage 4 of the route through Gran Canaria on a Gravel bike starts from the Los Chorros (Firgas) junction along secret trails of red earth. From here it begins to climb towards Valsendero by road and dirt tracks, where we will link with a port to the town of Moya. At this point you must face the last hard ascent of the track until we reach Pinos de Gáldar, where we will link through gravel tracks with Fontanales. From there it goes through secondary roads mixed with dirt tracks lost between the mountains of the north of Gran Canaria.

Later, it reaches Guía, to continue towards Arucas along the mythical Cenobio de Valerón road, a very representative archaeological site of the island. Finally, the route connects with Arucas by a last dirt track to put the finishing touch to this mega route in Gravel Bike through Gran Canaria.

> Track Stage 4 Gran Canaria on a gravel bike

Below you can download the track of stage 4 of this route. As we mentioned before, you can follow our tracks from your Garmin navigator or even with the Guru Maps app from your smartphone. Here we’ll explain to you how to do it.