Squame @ GranGuanche Route Canary Islands

650km with approximately 13,000 metres of elevation gain, through deserted beaches, lava fields and enchanted forests, we tell the fantastic adventure of the GranGuanche Route, a fantastic itinerary that runs through the main Canary Islands from north to south, starting in Lanzarote and continuing on to Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and finally Tenerife.

Day 1 Lanzarote

Our tour starts from Orzola, on the island of Lanzarote, the first climb of the day takes us immediately to a stunning highlight, Mirador del Rio on the Risco de Famara cliff, at about 400 meters above sea level, with enchanting panoramic views of the island.

We walked down to the beach, crowded with surfers searching for the perfect wave. Leaving the coast behind, we ventured into the deserted, sandy expanses, among rocks and gentle hills alternating with splendid views of the sea.

After crossing the evocative Los Volcanes natural park, we reached the port where the ferry to Fuerteventura awaited us, ready to travel the first kilometers of the next route, kissed by the sun disappearing into the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 2 Fuerteventura

The next day we get back in the saddle, the first aches and pains are starting to make themselves felt, but the beauty that surrounds us quickly makes us forget them.

The first part of the route winds along gravel paths behind Puerto del Rosario, with glimpses of the rugged coastline and the waves crashing against the rocks. We proceed slowly, the uneven surface and uneven terrain making for no better progress.

Leaving the desert we cross Betancuria, the old capital of Fuerteventura, where the ancient cathedral church stands out.

Once again, sandy beaches and finally the descent towards the port of Morro Jable in the south of the island, ready to cross the ocean towards Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.

Day 3 Gran Canaria 1/2

We set off from Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. The landscapes already seemed greener than on the previous islands. A relatively calm day, unconstrained by ferry schedules, but a challenging challenge awaited us: climbing Pico des Nieves, a 27km climb with approximately 1,800m of elevation gain, gradients consistently exceeding 10%, and dirt ramps that were almost impossible to negotiate on a bike.

The enormous effort was rewarded by the view at the top of the peak, probably the most evocative of the four islands, also due to the stark contrast with the deserts we had crossed until the previous day.

The descent through the forest takes us to the hilltop village of Tejeda, where we will spend the night before picking up the trail again the next day.

Day 4 Gran Canaria 2/2 and Tenerife 1/2

Our goal was to reach the port of Agaete to board the ferry to Tenerife. From an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters, we descended to the sea via a path through lush greenery, surrounded by the beauty of the island: first, endless forests, and finally, the sea on the horizon.

After completing the ferry ride to Santa Cruz, we climbed again to La Speranza, the last town before continuing the following day towards Teide Natural Park.

Day 5 Tenerife 2/2

We woke up in La Speranza to chilly weather; we didn't need to dress any warmer than usual; the climb alone warmed us up immediately.

The guide provided by the tour organizer had warned us that there would be about 60 km to cover without any towns or refreshment points. We filled our water bottles at the last available water source before pedaling towards Teide, the last real climb.

The green landscapes become increasingly barren as the altitude gains, finally the summit, an expanse of red earth and Teide rising before our eyes.

From here begins the very long descent towards Playa Las Americas, initially on a dirt road and with a short but intense path to cover on foot, then becoming a fast asphalt descent for the last 15km of the trail.

Our adventure ended when we reached the beach, among the strolling tourists and the surfers scattered among the waves like little dots.

The GranGuanche tour has condensed a myriad of emotions, panoramas, and landscapes that continually change as the journey progresses. The effort and commitment required to reach these beauties by bicycle only heightens our perception and makes the memories more vivid in our eyes.