Our DH routes are all pretty tough and technical. The routes in the south and east of the island can be expected to be particularly loose and rocky, whilst the ones in the north are generally a little more firm with good soil and bedrock sections. However, don't be fooled into thinking that the trails are like your average DH run at the local trail centre or bike park, they are all natural trails and as such throw up some unexpected conditions and obstacles.

We don't put a grade on our DH routes as we do for the XC rides. This is because we expect that anyone looking to sample the DH trails will already be a reasonably advanced rider and have some experience to back this up.

If this is not the case, please speak to us so that we can ensure that you don't get mixed up in a group of DH racers!

Southern rides - The south side of the island has some blistering descents, but don't expect 10 minute race runs, the main trail on this side lasts for just over an hour, which is pretty tough going in the loose and rocky conditions.? On a typical day, we would take in 2 runs of this main trail before then taking in 3 other trails which gradually bring us down via ancient caminos to the village of Aldea Blanca situated at about 200m above sea level. In total you will have descended around 3000 vertical metres over a distance of around 45 kilometres. A good day in the saddle in anyone's book we're sure!

Downhill at Las Lajas, Tenerife

Las Lajas wall drop, Lavatrax tenerife MTB

Eastern rides - For this day we visit the east of the island on the hillsides above Guimar and close to the capital city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The first trail of the day is probably one of the most spectacular as it passes at speed through huge fields of lava ash before entering into the obligatory endless rock garden which characterise the riding in the south and east of the island. Following a short break we head back up to pick up a shorter descent which is full of drifty bermed corners and rocky sections, as the average time on this trailis around 20 minutes we generally make this descent twice before heading back up to the top of the ridge to find our last trail of the day. Heading down initially on fast flowing single-track through the trees, it eventually reaches more......yes you guessed it.....ROCK GARDEN! Another day with around 3000m of vertical descending.

DH Rider

Riding DH trail to Arafo Tenerife

Taking the trip to the northern side of the island opens up a new type of terrain to us, one where the vegetation is more dense, but at the cost of a slightly cooler and more humid climate. Our rides here generally start with a shorter 45 minute run, with all the obligatory components of a great ride, switchbacks, rock gardens, fast flowing sections. From here we shuttle back to the cafe at El Portillo which is set at a little under 2000m above sea level. After a quick coffee we head off for the signature trail for this part of the island. On a weekend, this trail is busy with local riders and is continuously developing as new sections and new trail features are created. Following this run we decide on whether to make the same descent again or to move on for an afternoon in the Bike Park.

El Portillo with Lavatrax Tenerife MTB

Dropping in to El Portillo Trail

Venturing to the far north of the island we visit the Mercedes and Anaga mountains and see yet another aspect to the Tenerife landscape. With an almost rain forest like density to the vegetation mixed with staggeringly craggy and jagged rock formations, the views are simply breathtaking.

Here we head down an existing trail which switch backs its way down the hillside at times at an alarming angle and with the turns getting tighter and tighter until we eventually arrive in Santa Cruz, we take a short break here before heading back up the hill to sample further single-track descents from the Esperanza forest ending with more technical rocky sections to keep your handling skills tuned to the max.

Watch out for 3 new purpose built trails in the Anaga region, due to be opened in autumn 2011.

Bike Park Tenerife is situated in the north of the island close to the Los Rodeos airport. A tricky spot to find, but once there it offers a fantastic way to enjoy some great trails. The bike park has a number of existing routes / lines for you to sample giving you a way to progress from something fast and flowing on the 4X line up to the Black Line for it's steep rocky sections and large drops and gaps.

The bike park operates from 2pm to dusk Tuesday to Friday and from 10am to dusk on Saturday and Sunday.

Bike Park Tenerife with Lavatrax

Flying high at Bike Park Tenerife