Gran Canaria
Cycling Camp
Gran Canaria Cycling Camp
Sublime rides and perfect weather: Gran Canaria should be on the bucket-list of every cyclist
Gran Canaria has it all: big mountains, endless sunshine, perfect temperatures and wonderful 4-star hotels to rest and recharge at the end of the day. Little wonder that so many pro riders spend the early winter months training here.
Featured Climbs
Valley of the Tears, Pico de las Nieves, Cruz San Antonio
Overview
Details
Next Departure
November 2nd 2024
From
USD $3,395
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Non-Rider Friendly
Yes
Rental Bike
USD $550
Ride Program
Total Distance
Total Elevation
Daily Av. Distance
Daily Av. Elevation
Overview
Trust Thomson to deliver a camp that goes above and beyond. This cycling paradise, just a short flight from Barcelona or Madrid, reaches 2,000m (6,500ft) in elevation and the island’s big climbs are up there with the hardest climbs in the Alps and Dolomites.
Join our expert ride leaders for a week of intensive riding that includes all the iconic climbs on the island including Valley of the Tears, Cruz San Antonio and Pico de las Nieves.
The perfect temperatures and constant sunshine guarantee you’ll return home with fantastic fitness and a killer cycling tan.
Brian Payne, USA — 2017
Joe Claxton, USA — 2015
Martin Hassner, USA — 2018
Itinerary
Day | Description | Distance | Elevation | Hotel | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
01 | Welcome to Gran Canaria! | Hotel Occidental Roca Negra | |||
02 | The Coast & La Ruta de las Presas | Hotel Occidental Roca Negra | |||
03 | The Infamous Valley of the Tears | Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa | |||
04 | Ayacata & Fataga | Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa | |||
05 | Tauropass | Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa | |||
06 | Cruz de Tejeda | Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa | |||
07 | Pico de las Nieves | Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa | |||
08 | Adios! | ||||
Daily Averages |
Itinerary Detail
Day 1
Distance
Elevation
Welcome to Gran Canaria!
Your Cycling Camp starts at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport where our staff will meet you before the short transfer to your hotel in Agaete.
After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out for your first ride in Gran Canaria, up the magnificent climb to El Sao.
Day 2
Distance
Elevation
The Coast & La Ruta de las Presas
A beautiful ride today with a mix of coastal cliff scenery and high mountains on the Ruta de las Presas.
From Agaete you’ll head south-west for 30km (19 miles) through the Tamadaba Natural Park along a spectacular road that clings to the cliffs, high above the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll want to stop at every corner for another photo – the views are that stunning! La Aldea signals the end of the coastal road and the beginning of the long climb to the central part of the island. The top lies 26km (16 miles) ahead at an altitude of 1,100m (3,600ft) – through some of the most incredible scenery on the island. From the top enjoy 20km (12 miles) of rolling terrain through forests and green fields before the long descent back to the hotel.
Day 3
Distance
Elevation
The Infamous Valley of the Tears
This is one of the most remarkable and challenging days you will ever spend on a bike. The Valley of the Tears route is one of the hardest rides on the island. This is epic Thomson terrain!
From the hotel in Agaete you’ll head inland to Fagajesto where you’ll join yesterday’s ride (in the opposite direction). At the Paralillo Reservoir a sharp left turn signals the start of the Valley of the Tears climb with initial ramps of over 15%. 10km (6 miles) of hurt lie ahead – but the views are amazing!
Just over the top of the climb you’ll be rewarded with a well deserved lunch stop in the cycling cafe in Ayacata – then a 35km (22 miles) descent to your next hotel in Puerto de Mogan.
Day 4
Distance
Elevation
Ayacata & Fataga
Remember that 35km (22 miles) descent you came down yesterday, well the ride today starts with the same 35km – but uphill. The climb is simply spectacular – switchbacks galore, a perfect road surface, no traffic and a forest of pine trees to ride through. The first top comes at just under 1,000m (3,300m) in Cruz San Antonio, then it’s another 15km (9 miles) to the final summit at 1,300m (4,300ft) in Ayacata.
After a coffee-stop in Ayacata you’ll descend through San Bartolome and Fataga to the coast. Beware of the few short, ambush climbs on the descent, especially the final climb to Degollada de las Yeguas. A final 30km (19 miles) along the coast closes off the ride.
Day 5
Distance
Elevation
Tauropass
From the hotel you’ll head along the coast then inland towards Baranquillo Andres. Keep your eyes open as this is the road most frequented by the many pros who train on the island.
At the 25km (15 miles) mark, the climbing starts with the steady climb to Barranquillo. Enjoy this section of the climb, after Barranquillo you’ll take a narrow, much steeper road with pitches between 10 and 15%.
The route continues with the fantastic descent to Pie de la Cuesta then it’s out and back from La Aldea, over the Degollada de la Aldea climb. A tough day in the saddle with almost 3,000m (9,800ft) of elevation!
Day 6
Distance
Elevation
Cruz de Tejeda
Today’s ride takes you right into the centre of the island. The first 60km (37 miles) are just stunning with the climb to Cruz San Antonio followed by the climb to Ayacata.
After a coffee-stop in Ayacata you’ll continue climbing to the beautiful village of Tejeda which is classified in the list of “pueblos mas bonitos de Espana” (the most beautiful villages in Spain). From Tejeda the climbing continues with our staff’s favourite climb in Gran Canaria, the climb to Cruz de Tejeda and on to Los Llanos. From Los Llanos enjoy the 40km (25 miles) descent back to the hotel!
Day 7
Distance
Elevation
Pico de las Nieves
The Camp ends with the most challenging climb on the island (and one of the toughest climbs in all of Europe), the brutal climb to Pico de las Nieves from Ingenio. Starting just above sea level, the summit tops out after 23km (14 miles) at 1,900m (6,200ft). It’s a tough one – but at the top, you are rewarded with stunning views of Tenerife’s El Teide in the distance. Keep your eyes open at the summit, we often meet pro riders out training on this great climb.
In the evening, join us at the hotel bar where beers and cocktails are in order to toast a fantastic week of riding!
Note: there’s a shorter ride option today which will also climb Pico de las Nieves, but from the much easier Ayacata side.
Day 8
Distance
Elevation
Adios!
Unfortunately, our Canary Island Cycling Camp has come to an end.
Our shuttle will drop you off at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport.
Map & Profile
Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
El Sao from Agaete |
6.1% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Presa del Paralillo from La Aldea de San Nicolas |
5.4% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Pinos de Galdar from Presa del Paralillo |
5.4% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Caideros from Cueva de las Cruces |
5.8% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
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Valley of the Tears from Presa del Paralillo |
9.4% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Cruz San Antonio from Pie de la Cuesta |
6.9% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
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Ayacata from Cruz San Antonio |
3.8% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Degollada de las Yeguas from Camel Park |
4.1% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Tauropass from Lomo Galeon |
4.5% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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Degollada de La Aldea from Pie de la Cuesta |
4.2% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
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0
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Degollada de La Aldea from La Aldea & Hoyo |
7.5% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Cruz San Antonio from Pie de la Cuesta |
6.9% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
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Ayacata from Cruz San Antonio |
3.8% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Cruz de Tejeda from Tejeda |
5.9% | 2 | |||
Profile
Map
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Llanos de la Pez from Cruz de Tejeda |
5.6% | 3 | |||
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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Alto de Fataga from San Fernando |
5.1% | 1 | |||
Profile
Map
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Pico de las Nieves from Ingenio |
7.2% | HC | |||
Profile
Map
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Climb | Distance | Elevation | Av. Grade | Category | |
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No major climbs today |
Climbs
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Climbs
Dates & Prices
Date | Booking Status | Availability | Price / Per Person | Single Supplement | Non-rider Discount | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | |||||||
Nov 2 - 9 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $3,395
|
USD $750 |
USD $970 |
Book this trip | |
2025 | |||||||
Mar 1 - 8 |
Taking Bookings |
Places Available |
USD $3,395
|
USD $700 |
USD $970 |
Book this trip |
Waiting List
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Trip Hotels
Hotel Occidental Roca Negra
Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa
What's Included
What's Included | What's Not Included |
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Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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What's Included |
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Accommodations & Meals
Transportation
Cycling Support
Nutrition during the ride
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What's Not Included |
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Pick-up/Drop-off Info
Arrival
Pickup Location | Time |
---|---|
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport |
11:30am |
Departure
Drop Off Location | Time |
---|---|
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport |
8:00am |
Rental Bikes
Specialized Aethos Expert
Frame
Aethos FACT 10r Carbon
Groupset
Di2 Shimano Ultegra
Weight
699g (size 56)
Wheels
Roval C38
Chainrings
52/36T
Cassette
11-34t (12-speed)
Sizes
49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
USD $550
View DetailsGran Canaria Cycling Camp
A definite bucket-list destination for every avid cyclist
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