Gran Fondo Pico de las Nieves

The Gran Fondo Pico de las Nieves is a road cyclosportive on Gran Canaria, scheduled for Sunday 22 November 2026. The ride starts in Arucas, on the north of the island, and heads into the high interior of Gran Canaria for a long day of climbing.

Routes and distances

The organiser offers two courses for the 2026 edition:

• Gran Fondo Pico de las Nieves: 125 km with 3,324 m of cumulative elevation gain.
• Artenara modality: 59 km with 1,845 m of cumulative elevation gain.

Both routes start in Arucas. The full course is the one that gives the event its name and is aimed at riders who want a serious test in the mountains, while the shorter Artenara route keeps a big day out within reach of riders who prefer fewer kilometres.

Registration

Entries for the 2026 edition are handled through the RockTheSport registration page linked from the organiser’s website. Check the official site for current fees, categories and places before you book your trip: official website.

Why ride it

This is a mountain-focused gran fondo in which the climbing, not the distance alone, sets the challenge: more than 3,000 m of ascent on the long route. Starting from Arucas on the north coast and working inland gives you a real tour of the contrasts of Gran Canaria. The late-November date also makes it a useful target for riders looking to extend their season in the Canary Islands.

Where to stay

With an early start in Arucas and a day of climbing ahead, it pays to arrive the day before, collect your bib without rushing and sleep close enough to reach the start line calmly. Gran Canaria’s compact north-east gives you several cycling-friendly options within easy reach of Arucas, and a comfortable bed matters just as much for the recovery after the summit finish.

ART Las Palmas – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, about 8 km from the start. These newly built apartments sit in the centre of the city, 250 metres from Las Canteras beach. The listing notes bike mechanical aid, repair tools and supplies, parking and route information, which makes it a practical choice for riders who want city dining the night before.

Mansión Bandama – Santa Brígida, about 11 km from the start. A traditional Canarian property with five bedrooms, a private pool and views over the Bandama caldera, it suits a group of friends travelling together. Bike rental, repair tools and route information are listed, and the pool is welcome after a hard day.

Villa Cloty San Mateo – Vega de San Mateo, about 14 km from the start. This country house on a 4,000 m² estate in the mountains sleeps up to ten and is set up for hiking and mountain biking. Bike rental, repair tools and a private pool complete the picture for a team weekend.

Hotel & Spa Roca Negra – Agaete, about 18 km from the start. A Cycling Friendly Gold hotel built into a cliff, with a dedicated workshop where you can tune, wash and store your bike, plus bike rental. After the climbs, the Obsidiana spa and its flotarium are an easy way to loosen tired legs.

Villa Néstor – Ingenio, about 23 km from the start. A small bed and breakfast in the old town, close to the Guayadeque ravine, with a freshly prepared daily breakfast, lunch packages on request, in-room massage, laundry and a bike wash.

Event weekend fills up quickly, so book early, and browse more cycling-friendly accommodation across Gran Canaria.