Enduro / All Mountain
Enduro / All Mountain Route Grading System
The Lavatrax Route Grading System
We have created a route grading system which consists of two elements:
1-the technical difficulty of the ride based upon the trail conditions and obstacles that you are likely to encounter on the ride;
2-the perceived level of fitness required to complete the ride.
In some cases, the fitness score is loaded a little due to the route having a tough climb at some point, so if you see a route that you like the sound of, but are not sure that you meet the suggested fitness level, then please ask for advice.
Technical Difficulty Grades
Level 1 - Reasonably smooth surface requiring only basic bike handling skills and the ability to use brakes and gears effectively
Level 2 - Some loose surfaces may be encountered which require the rider to have some previous exposure to off road biking
Level 3 -Some loose surfaces may be encountered and some sections of single-tracks which require the rider to have some previous exposure to off road biking
Level 4 - Extended single-track sections with the possibility of drops and steps up to 30cm. Good understanding of line choice, bike positioning and rider weight distribution required.
Level 5 - Full on rocky terrain with tight switchbacks, loose rocky descents and larger drops or trail obstacles. Regular black route riders only.
Fitness Level Grades
Level 1 - In good health, can manage a brisk walk whilst maintaining a conversation
Level 2 - Average fitness, takes some regular excercise
Level 3 - Above average fitness. Rides or takes fairly strenuous exercise on a regular basis
Level 4 - Mr or Mrs Fit! Rides for a couple of hours 2 or 3 times a week, or takes similar durations of other types of exercise
Level 5 - Super Fit! Racer or serious fitness fans.
Weekly Enduro / All Mountain ride schedule
Weekly Enduro Tour Program
Our standard 5 day program of Enduro rides which take in the best routes that the island has to offer. You can find a more detailed description of each route below.
Monday: Retamares Descent
Tuesday: Pipeline Passage
Wednesday: Vilaflor Caminos
Thursday: The Trail With No Name
Friday: Area 61
We have other routes available and will be happy to substitute one of these for the normal scheduled ride provided that there are no prior bookings. Please just ask and we will do our best.
All tours are subject to a minimum group size of 2 riders unless by prior agreement or you have reserved a private guide.
We can cater for up to 11 riders by prior arrangement.
Retamares Descent
Starting at an altitude of 2200m above sea level, the Retamares Descent is a popular choice for those who want a not too technical descent.
The route starts on a fast-flowing fire road, but don't relax, the bottom is very loose and slippery and the swagger here is often rewarded with a good dose of gravel rash!
We soon enter the single track section with its narrow, loose hairpin descent and rocky sections to the Boca del Paso viewpoint.
From here we take a few minutes to admire the breathtaking views over the entire southern coast from Los Cristianos through to Callao Salvaje.
After a last piece of single-track and some farm trails, we descend on asphalt in the village of Adeje where we can stop for a breack before tackling the last off-road section, affectionately known as "The Exfoliator" which runs along the pumice ridges. adjacent to the Barranco del Ingles ending on the coast near the village of La Caleta.
Approximate transfer time from south coast resorts - 1hour 15minutes
Distance: 28kms -Technical Difficulty: 3 - Fitness Level: 2 - Riding Time: 2.5 to 4 hours
Altitude Profile
Vilaflor Caminos
This is a classic rocky descent of the island, made up of several trails with different surfaces, ranging from loose rock and pine needles to sandy bottoms and solid, jagged volcanic rock.
Initially we can choose between two paths that take us back to Vilaflor, both quite demanding on a technical level, one relatively easier and the other a rocky and bumpy path with steep slopes that undoubtedly awakens the senses.
We continue through the historic center of Vilaflor to take our next route.
This begins as a country road but soon narrows into a loose rocky single track that descends and crosses a secondary road several times, even here, the route can be chosen based on the level of the participants.
We continue by taking a direct path through the slope, a mixture of volcanic rocks and sandy soil that finally leads us to the village of San Miguel about 600m above sea level.
From here we resume another rocky singletrack in the municipality of Aldea Blanca before a short asphalted stretch that takes us back to the van and then transferred to the hotel.
Approximate transfer time from south cost resorts - 1hour
Distance: 32km - Technical Difficulty: 4 - Fitness Level: 3.5 - Riding Time: 4 to 6hrs
Altitude Profile
Trail With No Name
This route starts on the hill above Vilaflor and initially requires a climb of around 200m to reach the highest point of the day just a few meters below 2000m.
From here we aim the bikes down, initially on some fast and bumpy dirt road before meeting our first singletrail known as the "Helipad" which is a bumpy singletrack that runs over stony ground with loose stones and gravel the size of a fist, always keeping you on tiptoe.
We then head into a section that will hone your bike surfing skills before making another short but difficult climb to an incredible single trail.
A jewel, with more flow sections and some tight curves interrupted by sudden challenging and breathtaking technical sections.
After a short road link, we reach the Hermano Pedro trail with some mixed rock garden, then head to the Dh track behind the El Medano pueblo, built with jumps, drops and fast turns before descending through a dark tunnel below the highway and take the last two paths near the airport, the first with table tops, curves with banks and small jumps, emerging through the second natural and desert trail, directly on the beach of El Medano.
Distance: 27 kms - Technical Difficulty: 4 - Fitness Level: 3 to 4 - Riding time: 2 to 3 hours
Altitude Profile
Pipeline Passage
Pipeline Passages is a route of exciting rocky single trails.
Start on a super fast, loose and rocky jeeppable dirt road, before branching off and descending deep into a barranco (canyon).
From here we begin the real rock & roll on a fantastic rocky single trail, alternating sliding sections with other damn hard and bone shaking with swooping singletrails that plunge in and out of trees and through rocks and boulder gardens, sometimes super steep with hairpin bends drawn on a barely visible trace.
The final part then takes us through molded and hard lava rock terrain, with large steps, loose stone curves and cactus waiting at every corner.
We finish the tour through two last sections that are faster and with infinite curves with support on soft ground alternating with more bumpy sections, which bring us directly back to the urban area of Los Cristianos / Las Americas.
Distance: 27kms - Technical Difficulty: 3 to 4 - Fitness Level: 3 to 4 - Riding time: 3 to 4 hours
Video taster of the Pipeline Passage route.
Altitude Profile
Area 61
Attention: expert riders only!!!
Starting at around 1900m above sea level, after a short stretch along a jeep track, we begin a very challenging route made of large stretches of rock that require your full concentration for the really rough surfaces, ready to trap your front wheel and suddenly catapult you over the handlebars.
Riding through these rock gardens, we go up a short stretch in the "Park" section with some artificial features to entertain you but without being able to relax too much given the constant technical difficulty, alternating fast and technical, steep and flowing ..
After a short asphalt link we head to the Trevejos area to reach a super fast cobbled track for an explosive suspension test that introduces super technical volcanic trails, littered with loose lava rocks and gravel and steep solid rock walls again. once requesting every ounce of concentration to make sure you stay with your tyre facing down. All alternated with breathtaking north shore-style bridges.
A short stretch of asphalt then brings us to the end with the descent from El Roque to the village of Aldea Blanca on a semi-sculpted single trail with inviting hairpin bends and narrow passages of treacherous and sharp rock to end in a narrow and fast single track that finally leads to the ubana area at a height of about 200 m above sea level.
If there is a little energy left and not too much wind in the face, we can get to the sea with a quick further single to cover a last short stretch of suggestive paths along the coast.
Distance: 24/28 kms - Technical Difficulty: 4 to 5 - Fitness Level: from 3 to 4 - Riding Time: 3/4 hours
Video taster of the Area 61 route.
Altitude Profile
