Report from the ascent to Pico de Las Nieves from Maspalomas; return through Ingenio to San Agustin:
Day 2: Right after breakfast, at 8:30, we set off towards our main destination, Pico de Las Nieves; we start from San Agustin, initially on a comfortable bike path, and after 2 kilometers, we merge onto the main road GC-500; at 4 km, there is a roundabout where we turn towards the town of Fataga - and so, the GC-60 road will lead us to our destination; we arrange to meet our wives in Fataga for coffee (they have a rented car at their disposal), and after leaving the town, we begin the ascent;
Initially, the road leads through a desert landscape, and our first stop is at the Mirador Degollada de las Yeguas viewpoint; after a short break, we descend - with a descent of about 130 meters, and around Arteara, we start another ascent with a pleasant incline;
We make another stop in Fataga; we pause for coffee and non-alcoholic beer; at the same time, our wives arrive, and together we spend a quarter of an hour - we take water from the car and plan to have lunch in Ayacata at the 39-kilometer mark;
From Fataga, a very beautiful road leads to Mirador de Fataga and further to San Bartolome de Tirajana, where we stop for a moment to eat Canarian bananas and replenish water in our bottles.
The further route leads on the GC-60 road, with varying quality asphalt but consistently beautiful views. We briefly stop at the Mirador Degollada de Cruz Grande and continue to Ayacata with gentle descents and ascents with a slight incline. In Ayacata, we stop for the previously mentioned lunch - our wives arrive by car, and we spend time together over lunch and non-alcoholic beer. The break is helpful because ahead of us is the most challenging section with a 9% ascent;
In Ayacata, we turn right onto the GC-600 road, and it immediately becomes steep but incredibly scenic. We pass a parking lot where hiking trails to Roque Nublo begin. There is no time for more stops as it is around 4:00 PM, and we still have a 2-hour descent from the summit to home. The route is varied - some ascents and descents until the Cruz de los Llanos fork. We turn right onto GC-130 - the signs lead to the highest peak of Gran Canaria. The surface becomes very good again - after a few kilometers, we turn right for the final 1400 meters of ascent. I reach the top about 15 minutes after Wojtek, who has already been enjoying the magnificent view of the island. In the distance, Tenerife with the Teide volcano is visible. We take some photos, fasten our jackets, and begin the descent towards Ingenio; Darkness catches up with us in Aguimes, and here we turn on our lights, which essentially serve only for minimal signaling and unfortunately do not illuminate the road. Despite bringing our lights, we didn't install them, and that was a mistake. For the last hour, we ride along the white line of the GC-500 road at a pace of around 30 km/h to reach our place of residence as quickly as possible. We safely reach our destination around 8:00 PM, dreaming only of a shower, dinner, and an alcoholic beer ;)
The video on the YouTube channel "Bicycle Routes" showing "our" route can be found: here
On Pico de las Nieves, you can ascend from various sides, taking different routes. Leonardo from the bike rental in Meloneras recommends climbing in the opposite direction due to wind and road conditions. However, I prefer to save the better road surface for the descent, especially since the ascent from Ingenio includes a 4-kilometer section with a 12-13% gradient. Additionally, during the ascent through Fataga, there are more opportunities for coffee breaks or scenic stops, but everyone must assess this according to their preference;
Day 3: After yesterday's late return, Wojtek and I decide to take an hour-long ride along the coast today. So, at a brisk pace, we head towards Santa Agueda, turn around at the Triana parking lot, and return to return the bikes to Meloneras. Around 11 AM, our wives arrive by car, and we spend the last day relaxing on the dunes of Maspalomas and in Puerto de Mogan. In the evening, we even managed to catch a "Halloween" party with live rock music at the Relax Beach Club in San Agustin;
Is it worth flying to Gran Canaria for 3 days? Definitely. You'll experience plenty of adventures and emotions, and the ascent to Pico de las Nieves in good company is priceless.
Logistic summary:
Rent Bike Playa Meloneras - road bike rental - address here;
The route from Maspalomas to San Bartolome de Tirajana has a good road surface. Later on, sections with poor asphalt begin, especially around Llanos de la Pez. However, the descent to Ingenio and further to San Agustin has a very good surface, which is crucial for safety during the descent.
In general, there is no problem finding a place for coffee or lunch along the entire route. The best places for a gastronomic break are:
Restaurante El Labrador in Fataga;
La Panera de Tunte in San Bartolome de Tirajana - there are several other dining options;
Bar-Restaurante Ayacata in Ayacata on the right side - outdoor seating;
Scenic viewpoints:
Mirador Astronómico de la Degollada de las Yeguas
Mirador de Fataga
Mirador de La Orilla in San Bartolome de Tirajana
Cruz Grande