Mountain Biking in Lanzarote: Routes

Lanzarote is one of Europe’s best mountain biking destinations, and most people do not know it. More than 385 km of signposted MTB routes cross the island, from coastal singletrack to volcanic ridgelines with views of neighbouring islands. The terrain is unlike anything on the mainland: black lava fields, red volcanic gravel, dried riverbeds, and trails through the same landscape that NASA once used for Mars rover testing. Three major MTB races happen here every year, the weather is rideable 12 months a year, and the whole island is small enough to reach any trailhead within 30 minutes.

What makes Lanzarote good for mountain biking?

The terrain. Lanzarote is volcanic, and the trails reflect that. You ride across ancient lava flows, through fields of black lapilli (volcanic gravel), past craters, and along ridgelines where the Atlantic stretches out on both sides. There are no forests, very few trees, and almost no mud. The ground is hard-packed volcanic soil, loose gravel, and exposed rock. It is technical, grippy in dry conditions, and completely different from the green singletrack most European riders are used to.

The climate helps too. Average temperatures range from 18C in winter to 28C in summer. Rain is rare, fewer than 20 days per year. The main challenge is wind, not weather. The northeast trade winds blow consistently from spring through autumn, especially in the afternoons. Morning rides are calmer. Winter is the sweet spot for most visiting riders: warm enough to ride in short sleeves, minimal wind, and no crowds on the trails.

The island is compact. From Costa Teguise, you can reach any trailhead in Lanzarote within 30 minutes by car. Famara cliffs to the northwest, Timanfaya volcanic fields to the west, La Geria wine region to the south, and the northern trails around Haria and the Corona volcano are all day-trip distance.

What are the main MTB races in Lanzarote?

Lanzarote hosts three major mountain bike events each year:

Ultrabike Lanzarote (May 2, 2026, Costa Teguise). This one starts right in Costa Teguise, making it the most convenient race if you are staying at Casa Los Alisios. The start line is minutes from the villa. No early morning drives, no logistics stress. The routes cross the volcanic interior of the island.

UltraBike Santa Rosa (July 4, 2026, Teguise). Three distances: 16 km, 52 km, and 105 km. The start is in the historic town of Teguise, about 10 minutes by car from Costa Teguise. The 105 km route is a serious day out across volcanic terrain with significant climbing. The 16 km is accessible for fit recreational riders.

4 Stage MTB Race (September 3-6, 2026, Club La Santa). The big one. A UCI-sanctioned XCM event spread across four days, with stages of 48, 55, and 85 km through the most demanding terrain on the island. Volcanic rocky sections, sand, lava fields. The third stage is an official UCI C1 race. This event draws serious MTB competitors from across Europe. Registration closes August 27 or when slots sell out.

For road cyclists, the Vuelta Ciclista a Lanzarote (October 3-4, 2026) covers the entire island over two days. Non-competitive, organised by Club La Santa.

Where are the best MTB routes in Lanzarote?

The trails fall into three main types:

Volcanic singletrack through ancient lava fields. The areas around Timanfaya, Tinajo, and the interior between Teguise and La Geria have the most dramatic volcanic riding. Black rock, red gravel, craters on the horizon. Some sections require technical skill as the surface changes between hard-packed soil, loose lapilli, and exposed bedrock within metres.

Coastal paths along the shoreline. The routes between Costa Teguise and Arrieta on the northeast coast, and the trails south of Famara, give you ocean views throughout. The wind can be a factor on exposed coastal sections, but the scenery makes up for it.

Mountain routes with climbing. The Famara massif in the north (up to 670 metres) and the hills around Femes in the south offer the most elevation. The climb from Haria up to the Famara ridge is one of the most scenic rides on the island, with views of La Graciosa island from the top.

Popular starting points for rides include Teguise (10 min drive from Casa Los Alisios), Tinajo (20 min), and Arrieta (20 min). Many routes are signposted and available on Komoot, Trailforks, and AllTrails.

What bike and gear do I need?

Bike type: A trail or all-mountain bike with at least 120mm of suspension travel. Full suspension is recommended for the rockier volcanic sections. Hardtails work on the smoother gravel routes but will punish you on technical terrain.

Tires: Wider is better. 2.3 inches minimum, 2.4-2.5 for volcanic terrain. Tubeless is strongly recommended. The volcanic rock is sharp and will shred inner tubes. Carry a spare tube and a plug kit even with tubeless setup.

Protection: Helmet (mandatory in races), gloves, and knee pads for technical descents. The volcanic rock does not forgive falls. A graze on lava rock is significantly worse than on dirt.

Hydration: Carry more water than you think. There are no water stops on most trails. A 2-3 litre hydration pack is standard for rides over 2 hours. The Spar supermarket in Costa Teguise (3 minutes from Casa Los Alisios) has everything you need to fill your pack before a ride.

Sun protection: Factor 50, arm sleeves if riding midday, clear or tinted glasses. The UV index stays high every month.

Where should I stay for mountain biking in Lanzarote?

Costa Teguise is a strong base for MTB in Lanzarote. The Ultrabike Lanzarote starts here. Teguise (the main hub for the Santa Rosa and many trail networks) is 10 minutes by car. The volcanic interior is 15-20 minutes in any direction. You are central enough to reach every trail on the island within half an hour.

Casa Los Alisios has a secure gear storage room where you can lock your bikes, tools, spare wheels, and equipment. No hotel corridor, no carrying bikes through lobbies or up stairs. The villa is single level with parking at the doorstep, so you load the bikes directly from storage into the car. After a day on volcanic trails, the last thing you want is stairs. Everything is on one floor.

The full kitchen handles post-ride meals and nutrition prep. Spar is 3 minutes on foot for recovery food and supplies. The 1 Gb WiFi is solid enough for uploading GPS data, checking Strava, and planning the next day’s route on Komoot. Three bedrooms sleeping 6, so your riding crew fits under one roof.

For post-ride recovery, Playa El Ancla is 10 minutes on foot for a salt water swim. The communal pool and padel courts are 2 minutes away. If you are combining MTB with other events, the Ironman Lanzarote bike course is accessible from Costa Teguise, and the Famara cliffs offer trail running on your rest days.

When is the best time to ride in Lanzarote?

October to March is the peak season for visiting mountain bikers. Temperatures sit between 18-24C, wind is lighter than summer, and you get reliable dry conditions. January and February are the most popular months for European riders escaping winter.

April to June is excellent too. Slightly warmer (22-26C), trade winds picking up but mornings are still calm. The Ultrabike Lanzarote (May) and UltraBike Santa Rosa (July) fall in this window.

July to September is the warmest period (26-30C). Start rides early, before 09:00, to avoid the midday heat and the strongest wind. The 4 Stage MTB Race is in early September.

The one thing Lanzarote does not have: shade. There are no forests, almost no trees on the trails. Every ride is fully exposed. Plan hydration and sun protection accordingly, regardless of season.