800
km
17.000
m+
50%
unpaved
one-week cut-off time
The GranGuanche Audax is a self-supported, single-stage, fixed-route bikepacking event across the Canary Islands, open to a maximum of 99 riders with proven experience. Participants are fully responsible for their own safety and logistics and aim to complete the route within a one-week cut-off time. The Audax is not a race — it’s a personal challenge and a collective adventure.
the Route
The route mostly follows non-technical double tracks and low-traffic secondary lanes, with about one hour of hike-a-bike to connect everything.
The main challenge is the elevation gain and occasional steep climbs. The route is best ridden on gravel or mountain bikes with low gearing, a light setup, and a minimum tyre width of 45 mm.
The Canary Islands are a highly developed tourist destination, well known among cyclists escaping the cold European winter. Accommodations, transfers, public transport, and resupply are easy to arrange. Rescue and assistance meet first-world standards, most people speak English, and drivers are generally respectful and considerate towards cyclists.
Resupply is generally easy. Along the route, you’ll find plenty of villages and towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and accommodations. Only a few sections require careful planning for restocking; key resupply towns are marked as POIs in the route tracks. Natural water sources are very limited, so you’ll need to buy and carry most of your water.
Bike Shops can be found in every larger town along the route.
Ferries
The route is connected by four ferries, totaling about 7 hours on board and €200 in fares. Participants can book their ferry online, before the event begins, to secure a place, avoid queues at the ticket office, and allow last-minute boarding.
ferry schedules can change at short notice, always check on ferry company websites.
bike and gear
Bike Setup // Elevation gain is significant and many climbs are steep. Pack wisely, keep your setup as light as possible, and choose low gearing. Avoid high-profile rims, as side winds can be challenging. Also, avoid fancy bikes, since storing them on ferries may result in scratches or cosmetic damage.
2-liter water capacity // Along the route, there are very few natural water sources, so you’ll need to buy and carry most of your water. A water filter may be useful for refilling from mountain fountains when available.
Clothing // Be prepared for cold temperatures. Bring a rain jacket, mid-layer, and thermal gloves. Check the weather forecast before departure, as a full waterproof kit may not be necessary.
Sleeping System // The route can be completed entirely using accommodations, but carrying a bivy setup is recommended for safety and flexibility — allowing you to rest under emergency shelters or at the harbour before a ferry departure.
Tools and Spares // You’ll find well-equipped bike shops along the route. A basic tool kit will be enough — bring tubes, chain lube, quick links, and a tubeless repair kit.
expected weather
The landscape is ever-changing because the weather is ever-changing. The islands feature different microclimates depending on altitude, exposure, time of day, and wind direction. Expect dry and sunny conditions at sea level, mist or rain on the northern slopes, and strong winds, especially on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Sun exposure is intense year-round and should be taken seriously.
Temperatures can easily drop below 0 °C above 2,000 meters, especially at night. Always check the forecast before departure and gear up accordingly. In case of unexpected bad weather in the mountains, descending to a lower altitude is always a safe option.
route tracks
Tracks are available to anyone wanting to ride the route, even outside of official events — you can download the GPX files from RideWithGPS by clicking on the map above. The tracks, recommendations, and information provided here are only a planning resource, a starting point to help you prepare your trip with due diligence and common sense. We will not provide any further information or assistance beyond what is already included here.
Ride at your own risk and responsibility // Always check the weather forecast and local alerts. Be sure to respect natural park rules, traffic laws, road closures, and private land restrictions. We are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other incident that might occur while cycling or following this route.
Planning and scouting a cycling route requires significant effort, involving many hours of investigation, long days on the trails, and quite a few pointless hike-a-bikes. If you ride the route or part of it, please help us keep it updated by sending feedback on trail conditions or any road closures.
If you use the route for commercial purposes or to market products, please credit our project (and yes, this goes for you, dear people at Lapierre)
lanzarote
100km 1.650m+
Ferry // 30 minutes
fuerteventura
150km 2.100m+
Ferry // 120 minutes
gran canaria
240km 5.700m+
Ferry // 80 minutes
tenerife
170km 4.450m+
Ferry // 150 minutes
El hierro
100km 3.300m+
Schedule and logistics
Sat 21/Mar/26 h-15:00 to 18:00
Lanzarote, Arrecife
Accreditation
–
Sat 21/Mar/26 h-18:00
Lanzarote, Arrecife
Briefing
–
Sun 22/Mar/26 h-13:30
Lanzarote, Orzola
Gran Depart
–
Sat 29/Mar/26 h-13:30
El Hierro, Timijarauqe
Cut-Off Time
>> Fly to Lanzarote (ACE) >>
<< Fly back from Tenerife South (TFS) <<
The route begins in Lanzarote, which is well connected to most European cities, and ends on a smaller island with limited international flight options. To return home, you’ll likely need to take a ferry back to Tenerife and depart from Tenerife South Airport.
entry fee
The entry fee is 280€
The Audax will be open to a maximum of 99 participants. Participants can only register as SOLO, there’s no PAIR category.
Tracking System
The tracking system will be provided by followmychallenge.com. A refundable deposit of 100€ for each rented tracker will be required, to be paid within two weeks before the start. The deposit will be refunded once the tracker is returned at the finish line. Personal GPRS, SPOT, or InReach devices will not be tracked.
Included
Small bag transfer (max 30 litres / 10 kg) from the start line to the finish line. If you don’t make it to the finish line, we can ship your bag to your home address during the week following the event; shipping costs will be at your expense.
Cardboard bike box to fly back home – to be collected at Vadebicis Chafiras, Tenerife, 4 km from Tenerife South Airport (TFS). Please check opening times.
Not included
Accommodations, meals ferries and transports.
Bike box transfer
Available for an additional fee, see details in the dedicated section.
Insurance
you must have liability, death, accident and health insurance covering emergency rescue, medical expenses and repatriation. Insurance must be valid in Spain and France for the whole duration of the event and cover mountain biking in cycling events as the main reason for the trip. Cycling Federation insurance policies and NHS cards will not be accepted. We will ask you to provide a copy of your policy.
bike box transfer
Provided by
Vadebicis Bike Shops
– from 70€ –
Drop your bike box during accreditation on the Saturday before the start, from 15:00 to 17:00 — or directly at Vadebicis Lanzarote, check the shop’s opening times, and note that it will be exceptionally open on the Saturday before the Audax events, from 15:00 to 17:00 (22 Nov 2025, 24 Jan 2026, 21 Mar 2026).
Collect it at Vadebicis Chafiras, Tenerife – 5 km from Tenerife South Airport (TFS) – check the opening times and consider the shop will be exceptionally open on the Saturday after the Audax events, from 10:00 to 13:30 (29 Nov 2025 – 31 Jan 2026 – 28 Mar 2026)
You can also ask them to arrange pickup from your accommodation in Lanzarote and delivery to your accommodation in Tenerife (available for an extra €30 fee — make sure your accommodation can store the bike box) – please get in touch by email.
This service is available to all bikepackers riding the route, even outside the Audax events.
cancellation and refund
If a participant needs to cancel
// 90 days before the start: Refund of €120
// 60 days before the start: Refund of €60
// 7 days before the start: Refund of €30
// Less than 7 days before the start: No refund
Under no circumstances can the entry be transferred to another participant or event.
If the organization needs to cancel
If the event is cancelled due to Force Majeure events, no refunds will be provided.
We are referring to unlikely events such as pandemics, earthquakes, or extreme weather conditions. In such cases, participants are advised to claim the entry fee through their private insurance policy, which should cover this type of cancellation.
rules
Riders must sign and agree to the Rider Agreement and must be at least 18 years old.
Mandatory equipment
Lights: headlamp, front light, 2 tail lights
Clothing: reflective vest, winter gloves, rain jacket, mid-layer or down jacket.
Spare tube.
Emergency blanket or bivy.
Leave no trace // be nice to people
Leave everything as you found it—or better. Respect Natural Park rules, do not cycle or step outside the official paths. Dispose of, remove, and recycle waste.
Be considerate of others; there is no room for racism, sexism, homophobia, or any other form of discrimination.
Rescuing any rider who is injured or in danger is a top priority.
Respect Local laws
Riders are fully responsible for knowing, observing, and complying with local laws. In the event of road interruptions or closures, riders are responsible for finding an alternate route to bypass the interruption and rejoin the official route.
Self-support
Participants are not allowed to assist, support, or resupply each other and must not receive any third-party assistance, private lodging, or resupply. Accommodations or any services can only be booked by riders, without external assistance, and only after the event starts. Ferries can be booked in advance to avoid queues at the ticket office. Private media crews can only be arranged by the organization. Drafting and group riding are permitted.
Route and Tracking
Riders should follow the official track from start to finish. If they temporarily leave the route they must return to the point they left. Riders are responsible for their tracking device.
Insurance
Participants must have liability, death, accident, and health insurance covering emergency rescue, medical expenses, and repatriation, valid for the event’s duration. We will ask for a copy of your insurance before the event.
Code of Honor
A fair and safe ride depends on fair and honourable Riders.
Non-observance of the rules will result in DNS (Did Not Start), DSQ (disqualification) or time penalties.
The Audax pace is the challenge of completing the route with the fastest-possible ferry schedule in a mostly non-stop ride. It is only achievable by ultra-cycling athletes, and the entry fee will be fully refunded to any rider fast enough to make it. Other pace scenarios are just a planning resource to adjust your Audax approach to ferries, resupply points, accommodation options, and a reasonable amount of rest.
Audax
pace
+
pace
+
Sunday
The Audax starts at 13:00
—
Lanzarote
110km +2.600m » Next ferry in 7 hours
≈ Ferry to Fuerteventura:
Sunday 18:00 – 18:30 – 19:00 – 20:00 (25min)
—
Fuerteventura
160km +2.600m » Next ferry in 12 hours
≈ Ferry to Gran Canaria:
Monday 06:30 (120min)
—
Gran Canaria
230km +6.000m » Next ferry in 20 hours
≈ Ferry to Tenerife:
Tuesday 06:00 (80min)
—
Tenerife
170km +4.500m » Next ferry in 9 hours
≈ Ferry to El Hierro:
Tuesday 17:00 (165min)
—
El Hierro
120km +3.600m
We stop for the night and start riding on Wednesday at 06:00
We expect the first riders at noon.
5 Days
pace
+
pace
+
Sunday
The Audax starts at 13:00
–
≈ Ferry to Fuerteventura: Sunday, 20:00
Sleep in Fuerteventura, Pajara
–
Monday
≈ Ferry to Gran Canaria: the last ferry in the evening
Sleep in Gran Canaria, Maspalomas
–
Tuesday
≈ Ferry to Tenerife: the last ferry in the evening
Sleep in Tenerife, La Laguna
–
Wednesday
≈ Ferry to El Hierro: Wednesday, 17:00
Sleep in El Hierro
–
Thursday
You will finish in the evening
8 Days
pace
+
pace
+
Sunday
The Audax starts at 13:00
Sleep in Lanzarote, Playa Blanca
–
Monday
≈ Ferry to Fuerteventura: first ferry in the morning
Sleep in Fuerteventura, Morro Jable
–
Tuesday
≈ Ferry to Gran Canaria: first ferry in the morning
Sleep in Gran Canaria, Maspalomas
–
Wednesday
Sleep in Gran Canaria, Tejeda
–
Thursday
≈ Ferry to Tenerife: any ferry in the afternoon
Sleep in Tenerife, La Laguna
–
Friday
≈ Ferry to El Hierro: h17:00
Sleep in El Hierro, Valverde
–
Saturday
You will finish late in the afternoon
(or on Sunday morning)
ENTRY FORM
Outer Detours
Tour Operator
I-AV-0004875.1
