Every cyclist’s dream is a strip of perfect asphalt, winding through a magnificent landscape, without the noise and danger of cars. In Tenerife, this dream is a daily reality. Sure, there are the famous major climbs, but the island’s true magic is found on the secondary roads, those “forgotten” by modern traffic and those with limited access.
While most tourists crowd the coast or the TF-1 motorway, cyclists have a network of alternative routes that are a true paradise.
This is our guide to the quietest and most spectacular roads in Tenerife, the ones that every “local” cyclist loves to ride.
1. The “Zen” Climbs to Teide: The Less-Traveled Routes
All the climbs to Teide are relatively quiet, but two in particular are the definition of “zen cycling.”
TF-38 (Climb from Chío):
This is, without a doubt, the most beautiful and quietest climb to reach the National Park. Why?
- Perfect Asphalt: It’s like a billiard table.
- Low Traffic: It doesn’t connect major towns, and tourists prefer the climb from the south (Vilaflor).
- Landscape: It’s the climb that cuts through the lava flows from the 1798 eruption. You’ll ride through a sea of black lava, a unique experience.
TF-24 (Climb from La Esperanza):
This is the “Dorsal” road of the island. A very long, almost hypnotic climb that takes you through the Corona Forestal. As you ascend, the traffic disappears, leaving you alone with the scent of pine and views of the ocean on both sides.
2. The “Ghost Roads”: The Old Highway (TF-28)
This is Tenerife’s best-kept secret. Before the TF-1 motorway was built, the only road connecting the south was the TF-28, the “Carretera General del Sur”.
Today, this road is a “ghost road” for cars, but a paradise for cyclists.
- Why it’s perfect: Heavy traffic uses the motorway, leaving the TF-28 almost exclusively to residents of the small villages it passes through (like Granadilla, Arico, Fasnia).
- The Route: It’s not a single climb, but an endless “up-and-down” (roller-coaster). It’s an incredible training route, winding through gorges (barrancos), vineyards, and authentic villages. It’s the ideal terrain for an endurance ride or a day of exploration far from mass tourism.
3. The Forbidden Gem: TF-445 to Punta de Teno
This is the “definitive” experience for an adventurous cyclist. Punta de Teno is the extreme northwestern tip of the island, a place of wild and dramatic beauty.
- The Road (TF-445): It’s a narrow road, carved into the cliff face high above the ocean.
- The Situation: Due to the constant danger of rockfalls, the road is permanently closed to private traffic. Access is only allowed for a public bus (the guagua) and, effectively, for cyclists.
- The Result: Riding here is a dream. Zero cars. Zero traffic. Just you, the road, and the breathtaking cliffs.
- Warning (Important): The danger of rockfalls is real. You ride at your own risk. But for many, the visual reward is priceless.
The Deception: The False Quiet Road (Masca)
Many see photos of the TF-436 (the Masca climb) and think it’s a quiet paradise. Be warned: it’s an illusion. Masca is one of the most beautiful roads in the world, but it is not low-traffic. It is extremely narrow, full of blind hairpins, and is a key artery for rental cars and tourist buses.
It’s an absolute must-do experience, but it’s not the place to seek peace and quiet, unless you start at dawn.
The Real Secret? A Guide’s Experience
Knowing the “secret” roads is the first step. But the real “local” secret is knowing when to ride them. Even a busy road can be deserted at 8 AM, and a quiet road can fill up at a specific hour.
This is where a guide makes all the difference. They don’t just take you on the routes; they take you there at the perfect moment.
➡️ Discover the best (and quietest) routes with our Guided Tours