CyclistIsland hopping: The 800km GranGuanche Gravel audaxFrom the black lava fields of Lanzarote to the emerald green slopes of El Hierro, GranGuanche Gravel is an adventure shaped by contrasts. Five islands, four ferries and a single continuous route stitch together desert, rainforest, volcanic plateau and the Atlantic coastline into one long, ever shifting journey.The first gravel climb of GranGuanche Gravel sets the tone.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryNow in its fifth year, GranGuanche Gravel is one of three GranGuanche audax events the other two being Road and Trail all of which share the same premise: ride self-supported across the Canary Islands in the space of a week. As such, progress is shaped as much by ferry timetables as by gradients and terrain, with the rhythm of boats connecting the islands dictating the pace of the ride.Abandoned buildings dot the more remote areas of Fuerteventura.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryBeing an audax, GranGuanche Gravel follows the familiar principles of ultra-distance cycling but with a distinctly collective spirit. Riders are allowed to draft and ride together, there are no prizes or podiums, and the emphasis is on each participants race against the clock, with much of the challenge lying in timing the ride to catch the right ferries.Friends Adrien Troesch and Samuel Roth on the spectacular coastal section on the most westerly point of El Hierro, before looping back to the finish line.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryThe route itself is predominantly a mix of fast gravel and secondary roads, broken up by sandy tracks, rocky paths and occasional hike-a-bike. Low gearing and wide tyres are recommended, though no setup can fully prepare riders for the variety of conditions on offer. Sea-level warmth gives way to near-freezing summit temperatures, trade winds shape radically different climates on each island, and north-facing forests can feel worlds apart from the sun-baked southern slopes just a few kilometres away.Cyclist spoke to four riders who participated in last years GranGuanche Gravel to hear their stories and get the inside line on this unique journey across the Canaries.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryThe detailsWhat GranGuanche GravelWhere Canary IslandsHow far Approx 800km (total ascent 17,000m+)Lanzarote 100km/1,650mFuerteventura 150km/2,100mGran Canaria 240km/5,700mTenerife 170km/4,450mEl Hierro 100km/3,300m(plus four ferries totalling 6h 20min)Cutoff Seven daysSurface 50/50 paved/unpavedNext event 22nd March 2026More info outerdetours.com Related Posts La Marmotte sportive: The big one Mallorca 312 sportive: Storming the island Paris-Brest-Paris: The audaxers audax Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryZuzanna Boguka35, Pozna, PolandI was drawn to GranGuanche by the images I saw online and by the idea of linking five islands by bike. At first I didnt think it was for me; Id only raced ultras of around 500km in Poland. I thought I wasnt strong enough, but after a couple of weeks of hesitating I decided to bite the bullet.Two moments really defined the experience for me. The first came on Gran Canaria. I climbed into the mountains late in the afternoon with no clear plan for the night, carrying only an emergency bivi bag. Its always worth making last-minute checks to ensure your bike is in full working order theres a long way to go.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryWhen I reached a small village there was nothing there, no hotel, nobody around. Eventually some of the other riders and I found someone who invited us into his apartment. He apologised for the mess, brought us food and a fresh towel, and refused anything in return. We just needed a roof; he gave us everything.The second was quite emotional for me. I arrived knowing no one and riding alone, but before long I was riding with other participants and something shifted. I went from feeling alone to feeling part of a community.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryThe second half of Gran Canaria was the most challenging terrain in my opinion, with steep climbs and exposed descents through deep canyons. In Tenerife a freak storm forced route changes. I chose to stop for two nights, waiting for the weather to clear rather than take an alternative route. Riding above the clouds the next day, in full sunshine, made that decision feel completely right.Riders gather on the start line at Orzola, Lanzarote.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryI wasnt racing for a result. I wanted a holiday so I slept at night and rode during the day. Six hours of sleep was enough. What surprised me most was how different each island felt, and even how different the north and south sides were. Its really unique. Now I keep wondering where I could find something like this again.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryJens Van Roost39, Antwerp, BelgiumIve ridden GranGuanche a few times now. I love beach holidays and I love riding bikes so for me its the perfect combination, especially as an escape from the Belgian winter. Compared to most long-distance events it strikes a really good balance between big days on the bike and enough rest to actually enjoy where you are.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryWhat makes it different is the ferry schedule. You cant just keep pushing endlessly; eventually you have to stop. That means you can ride hard without completely destroying yourself. Theres a built-in chill factor because no matter what, youll be resting at the end of each island.Its also a really social event. On most ultras I end up riding alone for more than 95% of the time. Here drafting is allowed and the ferries bring people together. I met another Belgian on the way to Lanzarote and we ended up riding together a lot.Having to catch ferries together makes for a very social atmosphere.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryI was also struck by how different each island feels. Lanzarote is raw and volcanic, Fuerteventura dry and open, while Gran Canaria and Tenerife change completely with altitude. On Tenerife especially, you climb through misty forest on one side and descend into dry, almost desert-like terrain.My biggest heartbreak came right at the end when I arrived in Timijiraque [on El Hierro] and discovered that the little restaurant there was temporarily closed. Id been there before and had been thinking about it for days. It genuinely felt tragic.The first descent on Lanzarote takes riders to the beach pictured on the opening pages.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryMy tactic was that I crossed each island in one go, then slept on the beach waiting for the next ferry. On the ferries Id charge everything, eat as much as possible and sleep again. My most valuable piece of kit was a pair of clipless sandals theyre comfortable and they remind me not to take things too seriously.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImagerySophie de Boer35, Drachten, NetherlandsId done several ultra events before but never completely on my own. GranGuanche felt like the right one to try solo friendlier and more accessible than many other similar events. I have good memories of Gran Canaria from my time as a pro [De Boer rode for the Parkhotel Valkenburg Continental team until 2020] so it felt like the right place.One rider gets some much-needed rest on the ferry to Gran Canaria.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryThe race didnt start smoothly. My most important bag didnt arrive shoes, navigation, batteries, everything and I caught a stomach flu. A Belgian rider called Werner helped me enormously by lending me essential gear, without which I wouldnt have been able to start.The first night was my hardest moment. I was determined to ride through the night to catch a ferry but I underestimated how ill and tired I was. Eventually I had to stop in the middle of the night with no sleeping gear. I was exhausted; completely spent. I can laugh about it now.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryGran Canaria turned things around. I started to feel better and rode almost all day alone through one of the most beautiful routes Ive ever experienced. Tenerife brought storms, freezing conditions on Teide and mechanical issues. I had dead batteries and broken lights but also experienced incredible generosity. Everyone struggled and riders shared equipment and pushed together through the weather to reach the ferry.A volcanic section on the first evening after crossing onto Fuerteventura, the oldest island in the Canary archipelago.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryWhen I arrived soaked at the port before El Hierro [the smallest of the Canary Islands] I bought a grandma sweater complete with sewn-in pearls just to get warm. I still laugh about that moment. El Hierro itself was steep, slow and wild, with almost nowhere to resupply. But the finish made it all worthwhile. Organisers, riders and volunteers waiting together, creating a real sense of celebration.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryAdam Palin26, Bristol, United KingdomId already ridden the Trail version of GranGuanche twice and wanted to experience the islands in a different way, on a different route and at a different time of year. The Gravel event felt like a fresh perspective on places I thought I already knew.One of my standout moments was on Tenerife, chasing the ferry down into the port at Los Cristianos. You come off fast gravel and then drop onto the road, with long switchbacks all the way down to the coast. Its a real buzz, especially when youre racing the clock.Troesch and Roth, who rode together throughout, take on calories to get them to the finish after riding through a spectacular sunset on El Hierro.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryTenerife was also my hardest day. My body wasnt responding to fuelling properly and I had to dig much deeper than I wanted to in order to make the ferry. Accommodation added another layer of difficulty. Theres less availability on the Gravel event, and youre not allowed to book ahead of the start, so logistics become part of the challenge.The landscape is incredible, especially at night. Riding through volcanic terrain in the dark feels almost moon-like. As you climb higher, everything changes. You go above the clouds and into pine forests and suddenly the temperature drops.Temperate pine forests on Tenerife on the way up to El Teide.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryThe altitude changes really stood out. It all feels far more remote than youd ever expect from islands best known for their beaches.Gran Canaria was my favourite of the islands by far. Riding through the high mountains there feels incredibly remote.Nearly there! A rider celebrates after passing through one of the most scenic sections of the route on El Hierro.Gavin Kaps/Osprey ImageryMentally, my plan was to just keep moving. Its usually good in the end. GranGuanche is a bit like a stage race; you know youll get rest between islands, which makes the effort expended more manageable ride easy until you need to ride hard. And dont forget to bring warm layers for sleeping before ferries.The post Island hopping: The 800km GranGuanche Gravel audax appeared first on Cyclist.