La Palma Mountain Bike Shuttle Trip
Mountain bike vacation on La Palma: winter escape island and Europe’s underrated trail paradise
Mountain Bike Shuttle Week La Palma – The Comeback of a Trail Legend
La Palma has been one of Europe’s most renowned mountain biking destinations for many years. The combination of mountains over 2,400 meters high, countless singletrails, a year-round pleasant climate, and spectacular landscapes put the Canary Island on the bucket list of many mountain bikers early on. Anyone who has ridden from the island’s highest point almost directly to the sea quickly understands why La Palma was long considered one of Europe’s best shuttle and enduro areas.
Since the volcanic eruption in 2021, however, a persistent rumor has remained: many bikers believe that large parts of the island are closed and that most of the legendary trails are no longer rideable. This is exactly why La Palma has slipped off the radar for many mountain bikers. The reality, however, is quite different. The vast majority of the trails are in excellent condition and offer the same variety and quality for which La Palma was famous even before the eruption.
Together with our local partners at Mountain Ride La Palma, we have access to a huge network of trails across the entire island. Our guides work closely with local authorities, the tourism board, and the responsible agencies and know the current situation like no one else. This allows us to ride the best and most beautiful routes week after week, with endless singletrail descents, spectacular views, and trail kilometers that especially excite experienced bikers. In short: the La Palma that mountain bikers have been traveling to for years still exists, and perhaps it feels even better today than ever before.
The La Palma Shuttle Week is aimed at advanced mountain bikers who are confident on red and black singletrails and are looking for diverse natural trails. Thanks to the extensive shuttle support, physical conditioning plays a secondary role—what matters is enjoying long descents, technical trail sections, and varied terrain. From flowy forest trails and volcanic sand tracks to challenging singletrails with switchbacks and natural features, La Palma offers everything that excites trail and enduro riders.
Daily Schedule
The exact weekly plan—when we ride what—depends on the group and weather. We always try to ride on the sunniest side of the island, which often changes daily.
Accommodation and Cuisine
During our week on La Palma, we stay together in spacious apartments directly above the bike shop of our partner Mountain Ride La Palma. The accommodation offers comfortable single and double rooms as well as plenty of space to relax together after a long day on the trails, review tours, or plan the next adventures. Thanks to the central location in Los Llanos, cafés, restaurants, and the relaxed island life are just steps away.
Instead of a classic hotel buffet, we start our days where the locals have breakfast. Together we visit selected cafés in Los Llanos and enjoy good coffee, fresh pastries, local specialties, and the relaxed atmosphere of the Canaries. A perfect start before heading to the mountains with shuttle and bikes.
In the evening, we discover the culinary side of La Palma. Each day we visit different local restaurants and enjoy the diversity of Canarian cuisine. Fresh fish from the Atlantic, grilled meat, traditional tapas, papas arrugadas with mojo sauce, and regional wines are part of the experience, along with cozy spots where we wind down the day’s adventures. This way, the trip becomes not only a biking adventure but also a culinary journey through one of the most authentic islands in the Canaries.
Questions, inquiries and individual tour
Whether general information, trip inquiries, or a La Palma week for your private group: we’re happy to help and plan tours according to conditions and objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
La Palma can generally be ridden year-round. The months from October to April are particularly popular, when Central Europe is often already in the grip of winter and perfect biking conditions await in the Canaries.
Absolutely. Many participants arrive on their own. With shared accommodation, daily tours, and restaurant visits, a relaxed group dynamic quickly develops.
We recommend a modern trail or enduro bike with at least 140 mm of suspension travel. We also recommend knee pads, a full-face or half-shell helmet, gloves, and a small backpack with a hydration system.
In winter, coastal temperatures are usually between 18 and 25°C. At higher altitudes, it can be significantly cooler in the mornings and on the peaks. Due to the varying altitudes, dressing in layers is recommended.
Yes. Contrary to many rumors, most of the trail network remains open and in excellent condition. Our local guides work closely with authorities and tourism organizations and are fully aware of the current situation. This allows us to access a vast network of legal and perfectly rideable trails.
We rack up around 3,500 to 4,500 meters of descent each day. The meters of ascent you have to pedal yourself are usually under 200 meters per day.
Most of the trails are in the S2 to S3 range on the singletrail scale. Many sections are flowy and rideable, but there are also technical passages with tight switchbacks, loose ground, steps, and natural features. This trip is aimed at advanced mountain bikers who are confident on red trails.
Yes and no, participating in the tours with an e-bike is no problem. However, you can’t get the e-bike battery on the plane, so that’s difficult. But e-bikes can be rented on the island. In principle, you don’t need an e-bike for this tour, as the climbs are very short and thanks to the shuttle we’re almost always riding downhill.
Yes, from Munich with Condor, for example, every Wednesday. Direct connections are also offered from Zurich or Frankfurt.