Lanzarote is a perfect place for lovers of sports on two wheels, since the good condition of its roads allows cyclists to do all kinds of routes, both for beginners and experts.
There are only two factors to consider before starting to bike around Lanzarote, the slopes of the chosen area and the space of the shoulder, which can be small in some roads making it difficult to go in a group, for example.
In any case, below you can find five routes to discover the island from your bike, with different levels of difficulty.
Routes for beginners
The most novice cyclists tend to focus on flatter routes going through roads in good condition, that is, with few potholes.
Luckily, Lanzarote has many roads like this, which are ideal for those who are just starting out in the world of cycling, or for those who just want to go for an easy ride.
1. Monumento al Campesino - La Geria
Probably the easiest road route is the one that starts at Monumento al Campesino, in San Bartolomé, and continues towards the La Geria area. The route is simple, 12 kilometers, around 30 minutes long. You can bike all the way to the last winery on and return to the starting point.
This is quite a flat road and in very good condition. However, it is important to point out that it is a road with very little hard shoulder, which makes it difficult to go in packs. Therefore it is particularly important to be careful as to avoid accidents with vehicles.
2. Monumento del Campesino- La Santa
A somewhat more demanding route, but still appropriate for beginners, is the circular route that goes from Monumento del Campesino to La Santa, round trip.
There are 35 kilometers of journey, which take about two hours on average and have a little less than 300 meters of elevation gain, although it goes through smooth and progressive ascents and descents, so the route is not very hard.
The tour begins at Monumento del Campesino, in San Bartolomé, in the direction of the municipality of Tinajo. You will first pass through the town of Tao, then Tiagua, until you reach the intersection of La Vegueta and Tinajo, a place where you have to be more careful with vehicles, because there is no hard shoulder.
Until now, the route was downhill, but the return from Caleta de Caballo begins the ascent to Monumento del Campesino, with favourable wind. The first stop is the village of Soo, followed by Muñique, until you reach the Tiagua junction that you passed earlier. Then it's a matter of following the directions until you end up at the starting point.
Pro routes
For those more experienced, there are also numerous routes in Lanzarote that can be quite a challenge.
Specifically, the island can offer a cumulative drop of more than 2,500 meters in just 180 kilometers thanks to its slopes, as occurs in the Ironman of Lanzarote, one of the toughest biking tests on the island.
1. Órzola - Mirador del Río
One of the most demanding routes due to its great gradient in so few kilometers is the route that goes from Órzola to Mirador del Río in Haría. To travel those 8.6 kilometers by bike will take you approximately one hour. It includes a drop of 470 meters, the maximum you can reach by road on the island.
The route begins in the fishing village of Órzola, on the LZ-203 road and, from there, you have to follow the signposted road to Mirador del Río all the way uphill. Once you get to Las Hoyas, turn right to continue uphill to the village of Ye on a zigzagging road, which will then straighten up to reach Mirador del Río, from where you will have breathtaking views.
2. Arrecife - Mirador del Río
A very complicated route, due to its great unevenness, is the one that goes from Arrecife to the Mirador del Río. It is a journey of about 35 kilometers that takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes on average, with 610 meters of upward elevation gain and 153 meters of downward elevation gain.
You leave the capital, which is at sea level, and you go up little by little through Tahíche until you reach Arrieta on the LZ-1. From this point on, the most complicated section begins, as the ascent becomes steeper and steeper until you reach Mirador del Río, at 470 meters high, the highest you can reach by road.
It is important to mention that from Tahíche to Arrieta there is a very practical secondary cycle path, since it reduces the risk of an accident by providing an alternative to the conventional two-way road.
3. Monumento del Campesino - Montañas del Fuego
If you prefer a demanding route between volcanoes, the perfect one is a circular way from Monumento del Campesino to Timanfaya National Park.
The 43 kilometer route takes about 2 and a half hours, with 387 meters of upward elevation gain and 387 meters of downward elevation gain, with several ups and downs, so it is not made for beginners.
The cycling route begins at Monumento del Campesino, as in the previous routes, but this time you will have to head south, towards the municipality of Yaiza, along La Geria road.
The first stop will be at the town of Uga, from where you will begin to climb up to the volcanoes of Timanfaya National Park. Then you continue down to Tinajo, and follow through Tiagua, Tao and Mozaga to the starting point.