Itinerary
Day 1: Parc National Timanfaya
After the onsite registration at Costa Teguise, we pick our nutrition, join our teams and start cycling west and leaving Costa Teguise. Passing the César Manrique Foundation South of Tahiche, we shortly arrive after some first climbs San Bartalomé. Track 1 will now head towards the Parc National Timanfaya and cross it on its most east end. Track 2 crosses Timanfaya the opposite way and cross afterwards for a longer distance the National Parc a second time. Track 3 visits the two little villages Caleta de Famara and La Santa at the North cost first before cycing twice as well Timanfaya. The National Parc provides a unique scenery, fully covered by volcano surfaces without a single green spot. After The National Parc, track 2 and 3 visits La Geria, the largest vine-growing area on the Canary Islands and then join track 1 before returns back to Arrecife, enjoying some drinks at the beach promenade and finally the last five kilometres to our hotel.
Day 2: Cueva de los Verdes, Jameos del Agua and Mirador del Río
On our second day, we cycle north, some parts alongside the beach. After 25 km, we will arrive at the two sight-seeing spots Cueva de los Verdes and a little bit later Jameos del Agua. Both spots are lava caves and lava tubes, with salt lakes under the surface and with endemic white squat lobsters, only existing in this single little lake on earth. Track 1 cylces back to the hotel to enjoy some hours at the beach or visiting the city. Track 2 and 3 continue north for a short coffee break at Órzola, the most north point on the island. Afterwards, we start climbing to reach the spot Mirador del Río, when built 1970 one of the most modern buildings in the world. You will be very impressed by the unique view from this completely hidden point to La Graciosa, the little island north of Lanzarote. After a second coffee, we cycle to Haría, the village César Enrique used to live, and later uphill to Mirador de Haría, where you can enjoy a fantastic view over the island. Track 2 returns then via Teguise and Tahiche (where César Enrique died) to the hotel. Track 3 takes another detour to visit again Caleta de Famara to have a third coffee before heading back to Costa Teguise.
Day 3: Salinas de Janubio and Playa Blanco
Track 1 takes a local tour to visit Teguise (and enjoy a coffee at one of the nice shops in the historic village) , San Bartolomé and the Foundation César Enrique. Track 2 and 3 head west until the very west cost where we can see first hand at the Salinas de Janubio, how salt is been produced from sea water. After a break, we continue cycling to Playa Blanco where we can have lunch and spend a couple of hours at the beach before we return to Arrecife (good occasion for another stop) and at the end our hotel.
Day 4: Round the Island
Last day so time for a real challenge! Track 1 will be challenged by visiting all nine beaches between Puerto del Carmen and Arrecife! At every single beach, you’ll have the possibility to take a seat and enjoy a drink or jump into the Atlantic and swim a round! Track 2 will bypass those beaches as well, but has to cross the island first twice – up to the beaches in the North at Caleta de Caballo and La Santa for a first coffee. Track 3 will accept the real and ultimo challenge! It takes almost 200 km to cycle once completely around the entire island! A free beer for the finishers of track 3 is the least we can do to honour the real champs!
The tracks of the different stages differ in general regarding their length and the climb as well as the surface.
A detailed description can be found here:
Track 1
Recommended for all types of bikes including road bikes. There are only paved roads on the route. Shorter and less demanding than route 2. Also suitable for e-bikes and for participants with less experience. This short track is ideal if you want to spend a lot of time on the beach or sightseeing in the afternoon.
Track 2
Particularly recommended for racing bikes. The route is longer and has more climbs than Route 1, but fewer than Route 3. Normally the route is already challenging for an e-bike, so you will need to consider charging stops along the route. For this route you will need some experience in riding longer bike tours. However, if you have already done day tours of over 100 km in the past and a few meters of altitude don't put you off, this track should be easily manageable for you.
Track 3
Specially designed routes for very ambitious racing cyclists. The distance is longer and has more climbs than on routes 1 and 2. When choosing this demanding route, you should have some experience with longer routes and typically cover several 1,000 km on a (racing) bike every year, including some mountains. The route is not suitable for e-bikes. The last (fourth) royal stage of 200 km is certainly an exception (and perhaps even the crowning glory) in most cyclists' lives and of course does not necessarily have to be ridden :-)
