Road Cycling Tenerife – Los Gigantes Route

Los Gigantes is the star here: huge sea cliffs, fishing villages, and a serious mountain climb packed into one road-cycling outing. I like the carbon bike and proper road equipment, and I like that the 10-person maximum keeps the ride from feeling like a moving parade. The guide also uses music to help riders through the hard sections.

The catch is simple: this is not a casual coastal spin. 57 kilometers and 950 meters of climbing demand real road-cycling experience and moderate fitness. The advertised three hours is brisk for that distance, especially once you factor in the Tamaimo climb and the transfers.

Key points at a glance

• Los Gigantes cliffs: Stop for views of one of Tenerife’s oldest mountain ranges and the island’s most dramatic coastal scenery.
• A real mountain challenge: The route climbs 10 kilometers to Tamaimo at roughly 7 percent, followed by another 3 kilometers of uphill riding.
• Carbon road bikes included: Choose from a Look 765 or Bianchi Sempre Pro, with helmet, pedals, and cycling shoes supplied.
• Small guided group: The maximum is 10 riders, useful for a tighter, more manageable road ride.
• Support along the way: Water or an isotonic drink and an energy bar or gel are included.
• Pickup simplifies the day: Hotel pickup and transfer to the route’s starting point are offered for selected hotels.

Why this Los Gigantes ride is more than a coast road

Many visitors see Tenerife as a beach destination. This ride gives you a different view of the island. You leave the tourist center of Playa de las Américas and head toward Adeje, then follow the southwest coast toward Los Gigantes before turning inland and uphill.

That change is the whole point. You get ocean views, small fishing settlements, a look toward La Gomera, and then a proper mountain test. The road does not simply take you to a viewpoint and back. It makes you work for the descent.

I especially like the route’s shape. The coastal section gives you time to settle into the bike before the major climb begins. Later, the descent through Chío and Guía de Isora gives the ride a satisfying finish, with more downhill than uphill overall. The figures tell the story: 950 meters of ascent and 1,175 meters of descent.

Still, do not mistake the downhill total for an easy day. You must first gain the height. The Tamaimo section is listed as 10 kilometers at 7 percent, followed by another 3 kilometers of climbing. That is a meaningful effort on a road bike, even for someone comfortable with regular cycling.

From Playa de las Américas to Adeje

The ride begins at Bike Experience Tenerife, at Centro Comercial Paraiso Del Sol on Avenida V Centenario in Playa de las Américas. The listed meeting point is also the end point, although hotel pickup and a transfer to the route’s starting point are offered for selected hotels.

The opening section heads toward Adeje. This part moves you away from the resort center and toward the southwest side of Tenerife. It is a useful warm-up, but you should not expect a slow sightseeing ride. The group is on a route with a fixed distance and a substantial climb still ahead.

This is where the supplied equipment matters. A Look 765 or Bianchi Sempre Pro carbon bike is included, along with a helmet, pedals, and shoes. You can use Look Keo, Shimano SPD-SL, or Shimano SPD pedals. That range is helpful if you already ride with one of those systems, but you should know what you normally use before booking.

The bike provision also makes the price easier to understand. At $101.27 per person, you are not paying only for a guide and a scenic drive. You are also getting a performance road bike, safety equipment, footwear, drinks, nutrition, and transport support. For a rider who would otherwise need to rent a road bike separately, that is a useful package.

Fishing villages and views toward La Gomera

After Adeje, the route turns onto the TF-47, the road running along Tenerife’s southwest coast. You pass through Playa de San Juan and Alcalá, two fishing villages that give the ride a more local coastal feel than the resort strip at the start.

These villages are not treated as long sightseeing stops. Their value comes from seeing them at riding speed, with the sea close by and the road linking one settlement to the next. The route lets you experience this part of Tenerife as a connected coast rather than a series of isolated photo stops.

From Alcalá, you can get magnificent views toward La Gomera. That island sits across the water, and the view adds scale to the ride. You are no longer looking only at the road in front of you. You are seeing how Tenerife fits into the wider Canaries.

If your main goal is a relaxed coastal tour with plenty of time to stop, eat, and take pictures, this may feel too athletic. The route includes a stop at Los Gigantes, but it is still built around cycling. Bring your camera only if you can manage it without fuss, and keep your attention on the road whenever the group is moving.

Los Gigantes, the route’s visual high point

Los Gigantes is the big scenic payoff. The cliffs are described as one of Tenerife’s oldest mountain ranges and among the most beautiful sights in the Canary Islands. The stop is designed for you to admire the cliffs before the ride turns into its hardest physical section.

This pause matters because the route changes character after Los Gigantes. Until then, you are mainly following the coast. From here, the ride points inland and upward toward Tamaimo. The cliffs give you a strong visual marker before the work begins.

I like this order. If the climb came first, you would reach the cliffs already focused on effort and recovery. Seeing Los Gigantes before the ascent gives the route a clear rhythm: coast, cliffs, climb, descent.

The stop is not described as a long break, and lunch is not included. The tour provides an energy bar or gel plus water or an isotonic drink, but you should not count on a full meal during the outing. If you need more food for a 57-kilometer ride, plan accordingly before setting off.

The Tamaimo climb is the serious test

The main challenge begins after Los Gigantes. The route climbs 10 kilometers to Tamaimo at about 7 percent. You then face another 3 kilometers of ascent before the descent starts.

Those numbers deserve a plain reading. A 7 percent average over 10 kilometers is not a short bump. It is a sustained climb that asks you to pace yourself. If you attack the early slopes too hard, the later part can become uncomfortable. A moderate fitness level is required, but the description also specifically requires road-bike cycling experience. That second condition is important.

Road cycling experience means more than having ridden a rental bicycle along a flat promenade. You should be comfortable with drop handlebars, clip-in pedals if you choose them, riding in a guided group, and managing a long climb at a steady pace. You should also know how to control a road bike on a long descent.

The guide’s use of music is a distinctive touch. It is intended to give riders extra motivation during the toughest sections. That may appeal to you if you enjoy an upbeat group atmosphere. If you prefer quiet riding, it is worth asking about the ride style before you commit, since the music is part of the guide’s approach.

The group limit of 10 is helpful here. A smaller group is easier to manage on a mountain road, and it should make it simpler for the guide to keep track of riders. The available information does not promise a particular pace or a support vehicle, so you should book only if you can ride the stated distance and climb under your own power.

The descent through Chío and Guía de Isora

Once you have climbed beyond Tamaimo, the route begins its return through Chío and Guía de Isora. This is where the day’s 1,175 meters of descent come into play.

A descent is not simply free speed. You need confidence with braking, cornering, and changing pace. The supplied helmet is essential safety equipment, but it does not replace good judgment. Stay within your ability and follow the guide’s instructions.

The route’s downhill finish should feel rewarding after the climb. You have crossed from the coast into Tenerife’s higher roads and then begin dropping back toward the southwest. This gives the ride a satisfying arc instead of sending you back along the same road.

The published distance is 57 kilometers, with 950 meters of climbing and 1,175 meters of descending. The experience is listed at approximately three hours. That works out to a fast-moving outing, so you should think of it as a guided training-style ride with scenery rather than a leisurely cycling excursion.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. Selected hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the information does not say that every hotel qualifies. Confirm this point when booking, especially if you are staying outside the main resort area.

What the $101.27 price really covers

The price is $101.27 per person. That is fair value if you need a quality road bike and the correct equipment. A carbon bike alone can make a major difference to comfort and handling on a route with nearly 1,000 meters of climbing.

You also receive:

• A Look 765 or Bianchi Sempre Pro carbon bike
• Helmet
• Look Keo, Shimano SPD-SL, or Shimano SPD pedals
• Cycling shoes
• Expert guide
• Bottled water or an isotonic drink
• Energy bar or gel
• Hotel pickup for selected hotels
• Transfer to the route’s starting point

Lunch is not included. That is not a major flaw for an approximately three-hour ride, but it does mean you should eat beforehand and avoid assuming the energy bar or gel replaces a meal.

The tour also avoids an added admission charge. The listed admission ticket is free, which makes sense for a road route and the outdoor Los Gigantes stop. Your main cost goes toward equipment, guiding, and transport rather than entry fees.

For a cyclist who already owns a suitable road bike and is staying close to the starting point, the price may feel less compelling. You are paying for convenience as well as the ride. For someone on holiday without a bike, that convenience is likely the stronger value.

Who should book this ride

This route suits adults over 18 who have moderate physical fitness and actual road-cycling experience. You should be able to ride 57 kilometers and manage a sustained climb before booking.

It is a good match for you if:

• You want to see Los Gigantes without spending the day on a coach.
• You prefer an active route to a standard sightseeing stop.
• You need a road bike, helmet, pedals, and shoes supplied.
• You enjoy a small guided group.
• You are comfortable climbing and descending on paved mountain roads.
• You like having hotel pickup and return transport arranged.

It is not the right pick if you want a gentle ride, a family activity for younger children, or a flexible day with long stops. The minimum age is 18, and the physical requirements are clear.

The tour is offered in English. The guide’s music-led encouragement may give the group a fun boost, but the available information does not identify the guide by name. If a named guide is important to you, ask Bike Experience Tenerife before booking.

Practical details to settle before booking

The listed meeting point is Bike Experience Tenerife, Centro Comercial Paraiso Del Sol, Avenida V Centenario 2, local 5, 38660 Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

The stated operating window shows Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The activity is listed through March 21, 2027, with the date range beginning January 1, 2021. Because the schedule is specific, check that your preferred Saturday is available before making other plans.

Confirmation is sent at booking. The activity accepts mobile tickets, so you can keep the confirmation on your phone. Pickup is available only from selected hotels, and the experience ends back at the meeting point.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before the start time is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Tenerife time.

My take: a strong choice for committed cyclists

I would book this ride if I wanted a compact, scenic road-cycling challenge and did not want to arrange a bike rental, pedals, shoes, food, and transport separately. The combination of Los Gigantes, the fishing villages, the La Gomera views, and the Tamaimo climb gives you a real sense of southwest Tenerife in only a few hours.

I would skip it if I were unsure about the 10-kilometer climb or if I wanted a relaxed holiday ride. The route is demanding despite its short duration, and the three-hour schedule leaves little room for struggling riders or extended sightseeing.

The best booking decision comes down to your cycling background. If you regularly ride a road bike and can handle 57 kilometers with 950 meters of ascent, this is a well-equipped way to see Tenerife from the saddle. If not, choose a gentler cycling option and save Los Gigantes for a slower visit.

FAQ

Where does the cycling experience start?

It starts at Bike Experience Tenerife, Centro Comercial Paraiso Del Sol, Avenida V Centenario 2, local 5, Playa de las Américas, Tenerife.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the ride take?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How far is the cycling route?

The route covers 57 kilometers.

How much climbing is included?

The route includes 950 meters of ascent.

How much descending is included?

The route includes 1,175 meters of descent.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered for selected hotels. A transfer to the route’s starting point is also included.

What equipment is provided?

You receive a Look 765 or Bianchi Sempre Pro carbon bike, helmet, cycling shoes, and pedals. Available pedal systems include Look Keo, Shimano SPD-SL, and Shimano SPD.

Is food or drink included?

Water or an isotonic drink and an energy bar or gel are included. Lunch is not included.

What are the age and fitness requirements?

The minimum age is 18, and you should have moderate physical fitness. Road-bike cycling experience is required.

How many people can join the ride?

The maximum group size is 10 riders.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.