Spain - Top Bike Climbs

Spain has the fourth most Top 100 World Bike climbs (six) than any other country, behind Italy (23), Austria (12) and Switzerland (12).  Spain’s Top road bike climbs are spread out further than in any other country: Pico Veleta (Spain #1, World #7) is in southern Spain; Alto de Gamoniteiro is in the north; and Roque de Los Muchacho,  Teide, Puerto de la Cruz, and Pico de Las Nieves are all situated in the Canary Islands.

Pico Veleta

THE HARDEST BIKE CLIMB IN SPAIN

THE NUMBER SEVEN MOST DIFFICULT CLIMB IN THE WORLD. It is not often that we are blessed to climb “The” of anything, whether it be the “hardest,” the “longest,” the “steepest,” or, in this case the “highest.”  Yet we can honestly claim that Pico is a “The” climb:  The highest paved road in all of Europe -- now that’s saying something!  And it’s not just high, it’s H A R D!   The greatest bike climb in Spain is Pico de Veleta. This climb has it all -- it’s incredibly steep (almost impossibly so in places), it’s scenic, has hairpins, a unique summit, a ski resort, is situated partially along a private road, has a spiritual overlay, etc.  PJAMM Cycling rode the hardest route to the top on our first day in Granada and took the longer route our second.

Sign at the start -- first KM is 12% (max 22%).

Virgen de Las Nieves -- peak above altar (21 km).

View from the top

Marker at Pico Veleta.

Mount Teide - Los Cristianos

THE HARDEST BIKE CLIMB IN CANARY ISLANDS - SPAIN #2 OVERALL

Ride 33 kilometers gaining 2106 meters at 6.4% average grade.

Alto de Gamoniteiro

THE HARDEST BIKE CLIMB IN NORTHERN SPAIN - SPAIN #3 OVERALL

Radio tower is the top of the climb.

This is a Top 100 World Climb located in northern Spain.   It appears that this climb has been included in the Vuelta a Espana at least once, in 2016: “Today is the turn of the sixteenth stage, the second in Asturias. Short stage of just 118 kilometers between Avilés and Alto del Gamoniteiro’s unprecedented summit in the Vuelta a España” (Sexto Anillo). 

Roque de Los Muchacho

#2 CANARY ISLANDS / #4 SPAIN

This climb begins in Santa Cruza de la Palma on the Canary Island of La Palma. This is the third most difficult bike climb in Spain and the hardest on the Canary Islands.

Roque de Los Muchacho means “Rock of the Boys,” and this is a rocky mound at the highest point on the Island of La Palma.  Also at the top of this climb are several observatories, with some of the largest telescopes in the world, constructed there because the altitude and dry climate provide for excellent observing conditions.

Mount Teide - Puerto de la Cruz

#5 SPAIN

Ride 46 kilometers gaining 2,339 meters at 5% average grade.

This is the hardest climb to the high point of TF-21 (roadway to Mount Teide).  

Mount Teide - Santa Cruz de Tenerife

THE LONGEST BIKE CLIMB IN SPAIN

Cycling the longest bike climb in Europe - Mount Teide from Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Ride 63.1 kilometers gaining 2,871 meters at 3.8% average grade.

At 63 kilometers (39.2 miles), cycling from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to the high point at the Sendero de Montaña Blanca trail (beginning of the hike to Teide Peak at 3,718 meters/12,198’) is the longest bike climb in the Canary Islands, Spain and Europe and #7 in the entire world!  One of the great Bike-Hikes in Europe is Santa Cruz to Montaña Blanca and then from Montaña Blanca hike 8.3 kilometers gaining an incredible 1,188 meters to Mount Teide Peak.  

Note:  To hike to Mount Teide summit you must have a permit (apply here).  The Teide Cable Car parking lot is just past the finish of our climb - Google Map of Teide Cable Car.