Granguanche — The Komoot women’s rally

Route	Part of the GranGuanche gravel route
Location	Canary Islands, Spain
Days riding	7
Islands crossed	Lanzarote → Fuerteventura → Gran Canaria → Tenerife → La Gomera
Total distance	545 km
Total elevation	10,500 m+
Terrain	Gravel roads, volcanic tracks, coastal pavement, mountain climbs
Best season	Winter and early spring (milder temperatures, but weather can change quickly in the mountains)
Logistics	The GranGuanche is not only a physical journey across the Canary Islands but also a logistical adventure — ferries connect each stage, giving you natural pauses to enjoy the islands’ landscapes, cafés, and artisan bakeries.

In January 2023, I joined the Komoot Women’s Rally in the Canary Islands — a week-long bikepacking gathering designed to bring women together through adventure by bike. Around fifty riders from different countries were selected to ride part of the GranGuanche Gravel Route, an island-hopping trail that crosses the Canaries from north to south.

The idea was simple: move from island to island, carrying everything we needed on our bikes.

The GranGuanche route hops across the Canary Islands, each connected by ferry. While some sections feel remote and desolate, the islands themselves are well inhabited, meaning there are always small towns, cafés, and places to rest along the way. Our route would take us through Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and La Gomera. Every day promised a different landscape — volcanic deserts, quiet villages, coastal roads, and long mountain climbs.

But even before the ride began, something else started forming: a small community.

In the weeks leading up to the trip, we connected through a group chat, sharing advice about bikes, packing lists, weather forecasts, and ferry schedules. Some riders had meticulously mapped each day of the route; others admitted they were still packing their bags the night before their flight. Slowly, the strangers behind the messages began to feel familiar.

We finally met in Órzola, a small coastal town in northern Lanzarote. That afternoon we took a short ferry to La Graciosa, a tiny island of sandy tracks and wide volcanic landscapes. The loop was only fifteen kilometers long, but it felt like the perfect beginning — our first ride together, bikes loaded with bags, conversations carried by the wind.

The next morning, the rally officially began.

For the first thirty minutes we rode as one long line of cyclists moving quietly through the volcanic terrain. Gradually, the group stretched out. Some riders moved faster, others stopped often for photos, patatas arrugadas or coffee. Small groups formed naturally and then dissolved again throughout the day. That rhythm became the pattern of the week.

Sometimes I rode alone for long stretches, listening only to the wind and the steady sound of tires rolling over gravel. Other times I found myself riding beside someone I had met only hours before — or with friends I had known long before this trip — sharing stories as the landscape slowly shifted around us.

Each island felt completely different.

Route here

Before this trip, most of my bikepacking journeys had been solo or with a small group. Riding with a group this large felt different. Not faster or easier — simply different. Everyone moved at their own pace, yet there was always someone nearby.

Looking back, the route itself almost feels secondary. What stays with me most is the feeling of riding alongside so many inspiring women, each following her own rhythm across the same landscape.

Because the most meaningful journeys aren’t really about the destination —

they’re about what happens between the dots.

DOTS LIST

/ Pit stops along the way

Gran Canaria

• El Caracolillo – Cozy local coffee spot for a break.

• Tarei Panadería – Artisanal bakery with sourdough and rustic breads.

• Dulcería Nublo – Must‑try desserts and traditional sweets.

  
  

Tenerife

• We The North Coffee – Specialty coffee with a relaxed vibe.

• Norio Coffee Shop – Popular café for espresso and pastries.

• Tarei Panadería – (If stopping again on Tenerife) Artisanal breads and pastries.

• Daria’s Bakery & Bistro – Breakfast, brunch, and pastries in Costa Adeje.

• Negrín Artisan Bakery – Hand‑crafted breads and local treats.

/ Recommended stays to restore

• Casa Hilario — Lanzarote – Boutique stay with authentic island charm.

• La Casa de los Naranjos — Lanzarote – Cozy, charming guesthouse in a central location.

• El Patio de la Tita — Gran Canaria – Traditional inn with a homely feel.

• Ecohotel El Agua — Fuerteventura – Sustainable beachfront hotel with serene surroundings.