Punta del Hidalgo

The route

The route leaves from Puerto de la Cruz towards one of the most northerly points on the island: Punta del Hidalgo, in or near the Parque Rural de Anaga. At 100km with nearly 2,000m of climbing, this is what you get when you want to avoid the Teide - still a substantial ride with plenty of elevation.

The route makes a beeline for this spectacular finishing point. The tarmac is butter smooth and the route is undulating with a couple of longer climbs, most notably the climb back up from Punta del Hidalgo to El Portezuelo Alto near the airport. There are a couple more bumps along the way, and then near El Sauzal, you join the route you did earlier and head back to Puerto de la Cruz.

This would be a great ride if it wasn’t for the traffic. It’s quite unbelievable how much traffic there is at any given point in time, since this road goes nowhere apart from the small towns of Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo. The traffic issue significantly impacts what should otherwise be an excellent coastal ride.

Punta del Hidalgo itself is a small fishing village at one of the island’s most northern points, offering dramatic coastline views and a spectacular turnaround point for the ride.

Fueling up

Unlike the Teide routes, there’s plenty of civilization along this route. You’ll pass through populated areas and small towns like Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo where you can find cafes and restaurants for refreshments.

At 100km with 2,000m of climbing, you’ll still want to carry water and snacks, but refueling opportunities are readily available throughout the ride. As with other Tenerife routes, bring some cash as you may not find fuentes along the way.

Tips

Safety first: As mentioned in the warning section on the Tenerife starting page, traffic is insane on this island, not in small part caused by the endless hordes of irresponsible and reckless tourists. This route is particularly affected by heavy traffic despite going nowhere. Make sure to be as visible as possible with reflective gear and lights, and keep your wits about you. When - not if - a mad person does something incredibly dangerous, you need to be ready to react.

Start early to avoid the heat, especially in summer months. The coastal road can be exposed to wind, so check the weather conditions before setting out. Despite being shorter than the Teide climbs, don’t underestimate the 2,000m of climbing - this is still a serious workout.