Cycling Lanzarote:
your ultimate guide

Lanzarote cycling routes

Let’s cut to the chase. If you’re planning to cycle Lanzarote, you need to be aware of the ever-present wind and also that a few of the roads are in less than perfect condition. So not all cycle routes in Lanzarote are perfect.

But you may be willing to overlook these things in favour the warm temperatures and stunning scenery.  Plus training in a headwind should make you as strong as an ox, right?!

The good news is that cycling in Lanzarote also benefits from quiet roads, courteous drivers and hilly terrain. It’s not mountainous (the highest peak is Peñas del Chache which is a mere 670m above sea level), but don’t expect Lanzarote bike routes to be flat either. In fact we found it deceptively hilly – especially if you stay near the coast since then you’ll probably be heading inland almost straight away.

Here are two Lanzarote cycle routes that give a good flavour of what road cycling in Lanzarote is all about. They both take in chunks of the Ironman Lanzarote bike course, which is a good route to follow if you decide you want to ride the whole island. As you’ll see from the maps, Lanzarote is a relatively small island, so you might struggle finding different cycling routes on Lanzarote each day.

Tour of Timanfaya and the volcanoes

117km, 1,328m elevation gain

This is among the most stunning bike routes in Lanzarote, starting in Playa Blanca. It takes you through some of Lanzarote’s most dramatic scenery. At 114 km with 1,400 m of climbing (and undoubtedly some wind along the way), it’s a pretty tough workout. We’ve also detailed some good shortcuts below!

GPX DownloadTerms of use reminder

Highlights

• Riding through the lava fields of the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya between Mancha Blanca and Yaiza.
• The red, grey and black patchwork quilt of salt pans at Salinas de Janubio.
• Yaiza, one of Lanzarote’s most beautiful villages, with its gleaming white houses, bright green window shutters and flowering geraniums. When cycling in Lanzarote, routes don’t come much prettier than this.
• The wild north coast around famous Club La Santa. The wind can be ferocious, but the rugged scenery and pretty fishing villages are memorable.
• The wine-making region of La Geria. Between Mozaga and Uga, you’ll see the unusual sight of bright green vines, surrounded by black volcanic ash, sheltering behind low, semi-circular stone walls. It seems hard to believe that anything could grow in such an environment, but this area produces most of Lanzarote’s wine.

Tips

• If you’re seeking challenging Lanzarote road cycling, this ride includes a few decent climbs. For example, the climb from Yaiza up to the Timanfaya National Park.
• Expect strong winds along the coast getting out to Caleta de Famara. There’s a reason wind and kitesurfing are big business here.
• If you’ve got the time and inclination, it’s a short 0.5km-ish diversion to the unusual sight of El Golfo. It’s a green lagoon that sits in a sunken volcanic crater surrounded by tar-black lava sands. You’ll need to lock your bike up in the car park as you have to walk down a lava sand path to view El Golfo.
• If you want to see the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya without traffic, get to the road between Yaiza and the National Park before 9 am.

Short-cuts

• One of the toughest sections of the ride is between Mancha Blanca and Caleta de Famara, due to the wind and some hills. If you decide you want to bypass it, there is a convenient shortcut you can take. In Mancha Blanca take the LZ-46 to La Vegueta. In Tiagua take the LZ-20 south to Mozaga. You can then pick up the route home on the LZ-30.
• Where the LZ-402 meets the LZ-30, you could turn right instead of left and ride the LZ-30 to Masdache rather than diverting south through the agricultural centre of San Bartolomé.

Mirador del Rio and Northern Lanzarote loop

• 116.3km, 1,750m elevation gain
• This is one of the best cycling routes in Lanzarote, and starts and finishes in Costa Teguise. It begins gently on 20 km or so of flat-ish bike path that hugs the eastern coastline. But don’t be fooled, this is a tough ride with 2,000 m of climbing. Mountains, viewpoints and spectacular panoramas await in the north.

  GPX DownloadTerms of use reminder

Highlights

• Magnificent views of the whole island from the Mirador del Rio.

• Untouched coastal riding between Órzola and Arrieta. Órzola is a good place for a stop and to watch ferocious surf crashing against the rocks. Seeing the coastline of Lanzarote by bike is an incredible experience.
• The LZ-10 is a lot of fun, particularly the descent the other side down towards Teguise is also fun. We found the surface excellent and not too ‘technical’ with only a couple of hairpins to look out for. 
• There are two great potential coffee stops on this ride – one is Jonnie Bakes in Teguise, whose cakes live up to their reputation! The other is ‘Der’ in Puerto del Carmen – a great choice for an end of ride flat white (yes, they’re actually served here!). The food in Der is also excellent, with a good range for veggies, gluten free etc. It’s more expensive than most places one could stop at in Lanzarote, but the quality is well worth it.
  

Tips

• The cycle paths in Lanzarote make for a nice, flat start to the ride, but you’ll want to head out early to avoid getting stuck behind slow moving groups. If you’d prefer to avoid the bike path, take the LZ-505 to Tias and then the LZ-35 and LZ-34 to meet up with the route going north on the LZ-1.
• Make sure you take the little “cyclists’ road” which runs parallel to the LZ-1 (see photo above). Cycling on the LZ-1 itself is not much fun, as it’s the main road for the island. You access it by going under the bridge at the roundabout and then exiting from the second roundabout (this is on our GPX route).
• If you alter this route when cycling around Lanzarote and decide to include the LZ-207, be aware that before the road reaches the junction with the LZ-10; there are a few big concrete barriers. We had to dismount and lug our bikes over those. Extreme caution is needed here – after scooting round the side of one barrier, we noticed there was some stone on the road and a reasonably sheer drop off at the side. Take care.
• Extension: if you want to make a really big day of it, you could add in the west coast. After Teguise, take the LZ-402 to Caleta de Famara, La Santa, Mancha Blanca, La Vegueta and Mozaga before you meet up again with this route on the LZ-30. Take a look at the Tour of Timanfaya and the volcanoes loop for more information.
• Spot the fields of cacti as far as the eye can see around Guatiza. This is among the best cycling routes in Lanzarote for desert-like landscapes.
• If you have time, the Cuevos de los Verdes, just north of Arrieta, is worth a stop. They’re part of a 4.5-mile lava tunnel formed when Monte Corona erupted 5,000 years ago. The guided tour takes you through about a mile of tunnel, galleries and caverns and lasts about 45 minutes.

Easy cycling on Lanzarote

It’s worth knowing that there are some easy cycling routes in Lanzarote. For Lanzarote cycling routes in the Puerto del Carmen area, a good starting point is the seafront promenade between Puerto del Carmen, Arrecife and Costa Teguise. This is suitable for gentle rides with kids, away from any traffic (see the first 20km of the Mirador del Rio and Northern Lanzarote loop ride).

If you’re seeking cycling routes on Lanzarote in Playa Blanca, there is a promenade here too, but there isn’t a bike lane.

If you want something a bit more adventurous, but not an all-day epic, you could cut short either the Tour of Timanfaya or the Mirador del Rio loop above by cutting across to the return leg when you are ready.

Accommodation

The three major resorts on Lanzarote are Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen in the east, and Playa Blanca in the south. All make a good base for biking in Lanzarote.

What’s the best place to stay in Lanzarote for cycling?

Check out our in-depth article on this precise topic: where to stay in Lanzarote (for cyclists).

Bike hire Lanzarote

Cycle hire in Lanzarote is easy – you can rent road bikes from all of Lanzarote’s main resorts, and there are also companies that will deliver to you.

When we visited Lanzarote, we chose bike hire in Playa Blanca from Roy’s bike shop. The bike was in good condition and collection was hassle-free. Ideal for cycling in the Playa Blanca area.

We’ve listed below all the road bike hire shops we’re aware of in Lanzarote, to try and assist you. As you’ll appreciate, we have only had personal experience of Roy’s bike shop. It’s also worth noting that bike shops on Lanzarote tend to rent a range of bikes, rather than just road bikes only.

Bike hire shops, Lanzarote

Road bike hire Costa Teguise
Bike Sensations Lanzarote Avenida de las Playas 49, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, +34 680 424 665 NB also have two more shops in Puerto del Carmen plus one in Playa Blanca	Offer delivery in Puerto del Carmen and further afield for longer rentals.
Evolution Bikes Lanzarote Paseo Maritimo 2, La Galea,  +34 672 330 251	Offer Trek road bikes. Prices include roadside assistance if required.
Papagayo Bike Lanzarote C. la Tegala, 13, 35580 Playa Blanca, +34 928 349 861 NB also have another shop in Playa Blanca and one in Costa Teguise.	They have been operating in Lanzarote since 1998. We’ve seen positive reviews of their services. They can also offer tours, mechanical assistance and transfers.
Planet Bikes Lanzarote Paseo Maritimo, Local 5, Costa Teguise + 34 644 581 474 NB also have another shop in Playa Blanca	Road bike rentals include pump, spare tube, cable lock, water bottles. Helmet on request. Some pedals can be supplied. – Deposit payable. – Can deliver on request. – Run cycling tours and camps.
The Bike Station (by Tri bike Lanzarote) Avda. Islas Canarias, 14 (Hotel Los Zocos), 0034 928 825 014	BMC, Cervelo and Cannondale bikes for rent.
Tommy’s Bikes Lanzarote CC Las Maretas 20B, on the right side of the post office in Av. Islas Canarias 12	The first rental and touring company on Lanzarote operating since 1992. Road bikes available for rent.
Road bike hire La Santa (bike hire close to Club La Santa)
Club La Santa Avenida Krogager, s/n, 35560 Tinajo, Las Palmas	Bike hire centre for use by Club La Santa guests. Range of bikes includes: D12 Super Six Carbon Mens, Slice TT, Super Six Carbon Mens and Synapse Carbon Ladies, baby joggers, FS1 Mountain Bike, CAAD 3 Fat MTB and e-bikes. A full range of sizes is available.
Pro Bici La Santa (aka Pro Bike Lanzarote) Calle Encarnación 14, La Santa, Tinajo, +34 928 84 01 03	Stock carbon fibre road bikes fitted with mid-range Shimano components and wheels, specialising in Scott and BMC. Offer bike hire delivery all over Lanzarote.
Road bike hire Playa Blanca
Emotion Fat Bikes Calle de las Buganvillas 6, Local nº 9, Las Coloradas Shopping Center, +34 667 936 194	Rent road bikes, though fat bikes are their speciality.
Papagayo Bike Lanzarote Calle la Tegala, 13, +34 928 349 861 NB also have a shop in Costa Teguise.	Have been providing cycle hire in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote since 1998. They can also offer tours, mechanical assistance and transfers.
Planet Bikes Lanzarote Calle Lanzarote 18, CC El Faro, Local 2, 35580 Playa Blanca, +34608236926 NB also have a shop in Costa Teguise.	Road bike rentals include pump, spare tube, cable lock, water bottles. Helmet on request. Some pedals can be supplied. – Deposit payable. – Can deliver on request. – Run cycling tours and camps.
Roy’s Bike Shop Lanzarote Centro Commercial Punta Limones, 5A, Calle Muelle de Playa Blanca, +34 652 20 05 70	Located in the main harbour area of Playa Blanca, where the large boats go to and from Fuerteventura. Offer Dolan full carbon bikes. Established in 2006.
Road bike hire Puerto del Carmen
Bike Sensations Lanzarote Avenida de las Playas, 49, +34 680 424 665 NB Also have a shop in Costa Teguise.	Offer free delivery in Puerto del Carmen and, for longer rentals , further afield.
Free Motion Avenida de las Playas, 71, +34 928 512 247	Their website states: “Free Motion isn’t just the no.1 bike rental on the Canaries, but one of the top rental stations in Europe. Road cyclists can pick the latest models from Cannondale, Specialized, Pinarello & BH”
Lanzarote Cycling At two outlets: C. Timanfaya 8, Local 4 or Avenida de la Playas, C.C. Marítimo 25, +34 928 84 11 73	Trek bike rental and much more: tours, transfers and many other services.
Proaction bikes Based out of two hotels in Puerto del Carmen: Hotel Origo Mare, and Hotel Beatriz Playa Spa, Calle Mato, 82	BH full carbon bikes with Shimano Ultegra components.
Renner Bikes Lanzarote Avenida de las Playas 47, Centro Comercial Maritimo 24, +34 928 510 612	Founded in 1995, they offer Trek bikes and their website states they renew their bikes every year.
Revolution bikes Lanzarote Calle Juan Carlos I, 24, 35510 Tías, Las Palmas, +34 635879198	They rent Specialized and Planet X road bikes. We have seen a number of positive recommendations from people that have hired bikes from Revolution.

Tips:

• Book your bike in advance, particularly in peak season.
• Remember to bring your pedals, shoes and helmet. This packing list may help!
• Check which way around your brakes are set before you ride away. Front brakes may be on the right hand (as is usual in the UK) or on the left (as is usual elsewhere in Europe). Also, take a look at our list of things to check before hiring a bike.

Undecided on whether to hire a bike or bring your own? Read this.

When to go

Lanzarote is a good bet at any time of year. January and February are the coldest months, and even then 14 degrees is the average low and the average high is 21 degrees.

There’s generally a warm, mild climate throughout the year.

Even in the winter months, rainfall is rare. December, which is generally the wettest month of the year in Lanzarote, experiences an average of only 29mm rainfall over four days.

That said…

• The weather can still get oppressively hot in summer, with temperatures regularly peaking at over 30 degrees.
• It is often very windy. Locals suggest winds tend to be particularly strong between January and April.
• Winter evenings can be surprisingly cool, due to the winds.
• The Canary Islands are occasionally hit by dust storms, caused by very fine sand blown across from the Sahara. Temperatures tend to rise when these arrive and they aren’t pleasant to ride in: they’re said to be like riding through a hot, dry fog.

We think the best month of the year to visit is probably October. Air and sea temperatures are still high while there are less other visitors than during the summer.

Getting around in Lanzarote

Having a rental car opens options for family, shopping, dining, rest days, a support vehicle, recceing new routes and non-cycling friends/partners.

Use the search box below to search, compare and book the best car rental deal for your trip.

Tips for cycling in Lanzarote

Highway code and travel information

As ever, it’s a good idea to check current travel information before you book and travel. For UK visitors, the UK government travel information pages for Spain (including Lanzarote) are here. You should also read and follow the local highway code.

Before you go, take a look at our tips for cycling in Tenerife. Many of them apply to Lanzarote too.

Gearing

While Lanzarote isn’t as mountainous as some of the other Canary Islands, it’s still a volcanic island, and you’re likely to be doing a significant amount of climbing during your stay.  We’d suggest at least a semi-compact 52-36 chainset, and you may prefer a compact 50-34 chainset with an 11-28 (or even 11-32) cassette.

Wind

Lanzarote is notoriously windy. Think about whether deep section rims are really a good idea, and watch out for sudden gusts.

Lanzarote locals tend to use Wind Guru for Lanzarote weather forecasts. It gives wind and temperature information in 14 different places across the island and is more detailed than many larger weather channels.

Things to bring

Remember that temperatures will be considerably warmer than what you’re used to if you’re arriving from the UK. Fill those bottles and remember the rehydration tablets!

Bring spare tubes: punctures are not uncommon due partly to the fact some of the volcanic dust/debris sometimes gets blown onto the roads. Take a look at our packing list for the other essentials you need to remember.

Coffee

We found the price of coffee and cake pretty reasonable. Unless you deliberately go looking for somewhere upmarket, you can get an obscene amount of coffee and sugary treats without breaking the bank. There are also pastelerias where you can get them in lots of the towns, even the smaller ones. That said, don’t expect the coffee to be out of this world – it’s fine, just not third-wave coffee you might expect if your previous cycling holiday was in Girona!

Getting to Lanzarote

Bear in mind that Lanzarote is about a 4.5 hour flight from the UK.

Guidebook for Lanzarote

We used the Marco Polo Lanzarote guidebook for our trip. It’s pocket-sized but contains a decent amount of information on all the places you may want to visit, as well as some good “best of” pages to inspire you and brief sections on things like the history and architecture, food, drink, festivals and things to do with kids.  The section on cycling is very brief though the map at the rear is quite helpful for route planning (but you wouldn’t want to use it as a cycling map in your jersey pocket as it’s not laminated).

When you’re not cycling, this helpful article on 11 of Lanzarote’s best excursions and tours could come in handy.

Don’t head to the touristy restaurants in the main hotspots. If you do some research, you can find amazing, authentic food that is reasonably priced.

Ask us a question

 

Enjoyed our guide?

We’d love to hear from you – comment below or drop us a line.

Not sure whether Lanzarote is the Canary Island for you? Check out our overview of cycling the Canary Islands.

Want to check out some other destinations? Search by the month you want to travel or cycling destination you want to visit, here.

 

Thanks to Epic Road Rides reader, Kit Mitchell, for a number of the photos seen in this guide.