Spain's Canary Islands Bike Tour
Tenerife & La Gomera: Tropical Landscapes, Volcanic Climbs
Sweet cycling in the Canaries awaits: Spin through fragrant forests, lavascapes and coastal towns, refueling on incredible island food and wine. To visit, as locals say, “alegra el ojo y la vida”—brightens the eye and life!
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Spin switchbacks and straightaways overlooking the ocean beneath bluebird skies: the Canaries average 300 sunny days annually
- Ascend the Mount Teide volcano—at 12,188 feet, Spain’s tallest peak—via a legendary route that pros use to train
- Explore two islands with distinct vibes: lively, popular Tenerife and tranquil, traditional La Gomera, both home to laurel forests, sea-carved pools and unique national parks
- Sample red volcanic wines and traditional dishes shaped by Spanish, African and Indigenous peoples
- Connect with culture and nature, from colonial towns and a lesson on the local whistled language to black-sand beaches and a spectacular gorge
Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.
Start La Gomera Island Airport & Travel Details
- Start your trip in La Gomera, one of the archipelago’s oldest islands, where Garajonay National Park and a rugged interior set the stage for fascinating exploration
- Ride the rolling blacktop from central Alajeró to the port capital of San Sebastián—Christopher Columbus pit stopped here—passing deep volcanic ravines, terraced fields and palms and pausing for a delicious island lunch
- Get schooled in the local whistled language, pottery practices and cooking
- Wheel to incredible viewpoints and through an ancient laurel forest filled with giant ferns and birds like the Island Canary
- Dine at a historic clifftop parador with views over the Atlantic to Tenerife.
Nights 1-2
Deluxe Hotel
An elegant colonial property set on a cliff overlooking the harbor, with stunning views that stretch east across the Atlantic to Mount Teide on neighboring Tenerife. (pool)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Hop a quick ferry east to Tenerife, the Canaries’ largest island and home to Spain’s tallest peak—a volcano whose slopes we’ll skirt today on various routes
- Relax at a winery during a leisurely lunch that might include local specialties such as artisanal cheeses, charcuterie and island-grown fruit like dwarf bananas, which have a distinctive taste
- Wheel through fragrant pine forests and almond groves
- Enjoy a guided walking tour of leafy San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO-recognized city with colorful colonial mansions and the islands’ first university.
Night 3
Deluxe Hotel
A rose-hued former colonial manor set in a quiet quarter of this UNESCO-recognized 15th-century town, highlights include a rooftop terrace, a courtyard, beautiful wooden accents and modern amenities. (pool, open mid-May through late October)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- A hill climb on 12,198-foot Mount Teide? Epic! Our scenic route up its north side is a favorite of pro cyclists, wends through a national park and sees us lunching near the top with glorious views for miles
- Marvel at the diverse landscapes and flora, from native violets to otherworldly rock formations to black-sand gullies
- Explore the colonial communities of Icod de los Vinos, known for its 800-year-old dragon tree and Malvasia dessert wine
- Bike the serpentine switchbacks of northwestern Masca, where dramatic panoramas of a spectacular valley unfold around every bend
- Kick back for some R&R (or a round of golf) at our home base, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property
- Cap things off with a final ride along Tenerife’s wild, windswept northwestern coast.
Nights 4-5
Luxury Hotel
Tucked between the rugged Teno Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, this adults-only retreat boasts colonial-style architecture and a two-tiered infinity pool overlooking the lush greens of Buenavista Golf. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
End Tenerife Island Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 2-5
All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Fully equipped Backroads titanium bike, Wahoo GPS device, helmet and accessories
Bike fitting and equipment support throughout your trip
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads cycling jersey, t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
