Just over four hours from the UK, Tenerife is a training hub for cyclists from all over the world, from the hundreds of elite riders who come to prepare for events such as the Tour de France, to amateurs in pursuit of their own personal goals.
The variety of routes, from sea level sprints to climbs up to 2,000m – plus an all-year-round ‘just right’ climate of 22C – make the island the perfect location for training and touring.
It’s also a proven favourite destination for activity holidays, with five million visitors a year – more than 2 million from the UK alone – coming to enjoy sports on land, sea and air. Its landscapes – from leafy laurisilva forests to endless beaches, high peaks and the breathtaking Teide National Park – its charming towns, vibrant traditions and fresh cuisine are just a few of the other tickable boxes that will appeal to today’s active travellers.
For leisure riders, you can choose from eight highlighted road routes and mountain bikers will find Tenerife offers plenty of excitement, with more than 200km of beautiful forest trails.
For pro riders, centres such as Tenerife Top Training offer high-tech facilities and a top team of professionals. Tenerife is also where numerous swimming, tennis, triathlon and football champions, among others, come to train.
When it comes to acommodation, the island has options tailor-made for athletes, with specific menus, natural diets, physiotherapy, massage and more. If you want to stay close to the volcano, choose Parador de Turismo Las Cañadas, Hotel Spa Villalba or Altavista Refuge. Near the sea try Hotel Meliá Hacienda del Conde or Hotel Playa Sur Tenerife, Hotel Sandos San Blas Reserva, Hotel Luz de Mar, Route Active Hotel or Oceano Hotel Health Spa, and Hotel Silken Atlántida is a good city break choice for sportspeople. Tenerife has a plenty of rural accomodation, too – La Casona del Patio and Albergue Montes de Anaga are highly recommended.
There are many specialist companies that will help organise your cycling trip, to find out more and to book your trip go to… webtenerife.co.uk
Spoilt for choice...
Off the bike, Tenerife is a mecca for outdoor sports and activities, offering a range of options for land, sea and air sports in a huge variety of lansdscapes. Make sure you explore some of these as part of your visit!
Diving
Immerse yourself in unique underwater landscapes at more than 60 dive points. Explore sea beds of sand, rock or volcanic reefs, with spectacularly clear water down to a depth of 40m.
Windsurfing and kite surfing
Experience the power of the wind in one of Europe’s best windsurfing spots. El Médano has more than 300 windy days a year and hosts many national and international tournaments.
Surfing, body boarding
If waves are your thing, Tenerife has more than 32 great surf spots. With sea beds varying from sand, rock or volcanic reef, that means plenty of different types of wave.
Kayaking/stand-up paddling
Hop in a sea kayak or climb on a board and explore Tenerife’s coastline from the sea, reaching the picturesque parts only accessible from the sea. If you’re lucky, dolphins might even join you!
Hiking
With nearly 50% of the island classified as National Parks or Nature Reserves, and nearly 1,500km of marked trails, Tenerife is a walker’s delight. One of the most spectacular hikes is the 83km GR 131 trail running north to south.
Paragliding
With around a dozen take-off areas, Tenerife is hugely popular with paragliders, and with Mt Teide rising up from the centre, the birds’ eye view as you soar is phenomenal.
