This is a scenic road cycling route starting and finishing in the laid-back coastal town of El Médano.
The ride takes in some excellent, traffic-free roads on Tenerife’s eastern coast and boasts stunning views of the Atlantic Sea.
This ride is a favourite of road cyclist Claude Léger’s, an Epic Road Rides reader who loves cycling in Tenerife! Claude has been a regular to Tenerife every winter since 2018; he can usually be found riding around the island in search of the best routes. Who better to ask for Tenerife cycling tips?!
Read on to find out how you can take on this epic cycling route in Tenerife…
Highlights
There are some beautiful sections on this ride, but these are two that really stand out…
- The scenic TF 28 road. After the climb from El Médano to Granadilla, you cycle on the TF 28, at an altitude between 350 metres and 600 metres. It’s pretty quiet up here and very beautiful. The road follows the natural curves of the mountains. It has a continuous series of ascents and descents, with some twisty sections to keep things interesting.
- Quiet climbs on excellent roads. This ride will take you away from busy Tenerife roads so you can enjoy some great climbing with little traffic. The climb from the coastal village of El Poris de Abona to Ville de Arico is always a highlight. As you cycle away from the sea there are lots of wind turbines on either side of the road. The road is so quiet here you usually have it all to yourself!
Route notes
1. El Médano to Arico Viejo (via Granadilla): 0- 31 km
The ride begins with a 10 kilometre climb with maximum gradients of 9% on the TF 64 road. Overall, the road surface is in excellent condition. The TF 64 from San Isidro was resurfaced in around 2018.
Once you reach Granadilla you join the scenic TF 28 road.
This road is usually quiet and this 20 kilometre section winds through an arid landscape containing many shrubs. The vegetation is well adapted to the long dry spells, intense sunshine and strong winds that Tenerife is known for.
En route to Arico Viejo you will enjoy great views of the blue Atlantic Ocean and cycle through the towns of Chimiche and El Rio. Both are good options for a quick pit stop to refuel and take a breather.
2. Arico Viejo to Villa de Arico (via El Poris de Abona): 31 – 48 km
Time for your hard-earned descent down to the coastal village of El Poris de Abona!
The sweeping seven kilometre descent on the TF 625 is generally well-maintained and boasts magnificent views of the Atlantic Sea.
After El Poris de Abona, you’ll then take the narrower TF 627 road. This 10 kilometre climb has a maximum gradient of 9% and joins the TF 629 road that takes you up to Villa de Arico.
The roads are in excellent condition and as you climb you will witness impressive ravines and magnificent slopes.
Villa de Arico is a great place for a refreshing drink or bite to eat.
3. Villa de Arico to El Médano: 48 – 75 km
You cycle back to El Médano on the same scenic TF 28 road you cycled out on.
Shortly after Chimiche, you take the quiet TF 636 road and begin your last descent of the day (enjoy!) down towards the town of San Isidro.
The last stretch is back on the TF 64 road into El Médano.
Cafe stops
There are a number of mercado (shops) and a few gas stations along the TF 28 that are useful for refuelling at.
There is also a supermarket in El Poris, the Centro Comercial Faro del Poris.
After your climb from El Poris de Abona, you may want to stop at Café Jerónimo in Villa de Arico for food and/or refreshments.

A well earned refreshing pit stop at Café Jerónimo
Accommodation
El Médano is a lovely seaside town in Tenerife with a local, laid-back feel.
It’s a great base for anyone wanting to take on this cycling route (and others nearby)!
The town used to be a fishing village but now is a prime spot for both surfing and kite surfing. Everything you need is also reachable within walking distance. There are a number of hotels and Airbnb options to choose from in the town.
You will also find an excellent bike shop called Bike Point Bike Shop. You can rent road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes. Ask for Michael when you arrive!
Renting a car in El Médano is also easy to arrange. The town is conveniently only 15 minutes away from the nearest airport, which makes it a great option for ease of access.
Espiral is a massage therapy centre that offer different kinds of massages including pressotherapy sessions.
For more tips on where to stay in Tenerife, our best towns for cyclists article has some good suggestions.
Tips
Tenerife is a great island for year-round cycling! However, most cyclists will ride between early November to the end of April, and early May for the best conditions.
The road surface on this ride is excellent. All roads on this route are generally well maintained and great for road cycling.
There are a few factors to consider while riding this route in Tenerife:
- Climbing – this is an island so there are a lot of climbs
- Corners – there are some particularly tight corners on the TF 38
- The wind – be prepared for this as it can sometimes be quite strong
Read our tips for cycling in Tenerife, before you set out.
Found this guide useful?
We hope you enjoyed Claude’s ride suggestion and are feeling inspired to give it a go when you are next in Tenerife. We’d love to hear from you if you do – comment below or drop us a line. Check out Claude’s Masca loop route and tour of Tenerife ride here.
Don’t miss our ultimate guide to Tenerife, our articles (below) and other ride guides to Tenerife: Masca, Anaga and Mount Teide via La Oratava.
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