If you love two wheels and gravity, La Palma is a dream you have probably never heard of. The island rises from sea level to 2,426 m in a single, steep sweep, which means one glorious thing for mountain bikers: you can be dropped at the top of a mountain and ride, quite literally, for kilometres downhill, on-road, off-road, through every kind of terrain. It is pure adventure and pure action.

The big one: the Roque de los Muchachos descent

This is the headline ride and the longest downhill in the Canary Islands. You start near the 2,426 m summit at Roque de los Muchachos, on the edge of the Caldera, and follow an incredible series of switchbacks all the way down through changing climate zones, finishing near sea level at Tazacorte beach. A descent of well over two vertical kilometres in one go: few places on earth offer anything like it.

El Pilar: the island’s trail hub

The Refugio del Pilar area, high in the centre of the island at around 1,800 m, is the heart of the local scene. Many of the best trails start from up here, winding down through fragrant pine forest, technical volcanic rock and fast, sandy lava descents. There is something for every level, from flowing forest trails to serious enduro lines.

Shuttle up, or rent an e-bike

You have two great options for getting to the top:

• Shuttle service. Several local operators run uplift shuttles and guided rides, so you can spend your energy on the fun part: the descent. They also rent quality full-suspension bikes (roughly 40 euros a day) and can match trails to your level.
• Rent an e-mountain bike. This is brilliant fun on La Palma. With an e-MTB you can pedal back up without a shuttle and lap your favourite descents again and again. It opens up the whole mountain, and the scenery on the way up is half the reward.

What the riding is like

The variety is the magic. In a single session you can go from flowy singletrack through green pine forest, to technical rock puzzles, to wide-open volcanic descents across black lava fields, all with the Atlantic glittering below you. The nature is unreal, and because the island is so quiet, the trails feel like your own.

Practical tips

• Go with a local guide or shuttle operator for your first rides: they know the trails, the conditions and the safe lines.
• Always wear a helmet and protection, and carry water; the descents are long and the sun is strong.
• Winter is a superb time to ride here, with mild temperatures while much of Europe is frozen.
• Guided mountain-bike tours are easy to book online if you would rather have everything organised.

Where to stay

Tazacorte sits right at the bottom of some of the best descents and makes a relaxed base on the sunny west coast. If you would like to stay with us, see our own places (Casa Cardon and Atlantis Apartments) on the home page and the About page. For more ideas, read our full guide to the best things to do in La Palma.