The best road cycling routes around Barlovento

Restaurant was renovated in 2024 by new owner and has become a vegetarian restaurant. Mainly Italian dishes. Tastes delicious and a lot of use of local ingredients.

The detour is worth it for anyone who wants to climb a little more and is looking for a remote road with little traffic. When it's not going up or down through serpentines, the landscape is characterized by banana plantations and the associated factories.

Probably the gas station with the best view.

I was here in March 2024 and it was just fantastic. Good asphalt, constant ups and downs and great views. If the weather is good, even as far as Tenerife.

The climb to Roque del Faro begins immediately after you have driven through the dark tunnel of the LP-1 to the village of Franceses. (Be careful, the tunnel is unlit, be sure to take off your sunglasses and drive through slowly if you don't have light.) The pass then winds 8.30 kilometers through a wonderful jungle landscape. You will climb a total of 569 meters. On average, you'll get your money's worth here at 6.8 percent. However, there are also slightly flatter and even even sections of the route where there is time to breathe. The asphalt is consistently fine. However, there are a few individual holes and rippled spots in the tar caused by the heat on the route. As is usually the case in the north of the island, car traffic is very manageable. This pass is an important key climb if you want to either continue towards Roque de los Muchachos or continue towards the west side of La Palma.

Another insider tip on the island is the “Puerto Gallegos” climb. This pass connects the LP-1 with the LP-109. As is so often the case in the north of La Palma, on this climb you get the great feeling of being in the jungle or rainforest. The asphalt is in good condition throughout. There are few cars on the road here. There may only be some dirt and a few stones that have broken off the steep walls on the road. The climb begins 1 kilometer after you have passed through the "dark tunnel" of the LP-1 if you are coming from Roque del Faro. You will then see a sign with “Los Gallegos” showing you the way. A beautifully planted flower meadow also tells you that the climb begins here. The well-known “La Tea Gran Fondo” on La Palma also includes this climb. As you climb you will notice how you push further and further into the jungle of La Palma. The forests around you are becoming increasingly dense and the air is becoming more humid. At 4.53 kilometers and an average gradient of 7.9 percent, the climb should not be underestimated; after all, 360 meters of altitude are covered here. Once at the top you can either turn right towards Roque del Faro, or you turn left and come directly to Barlovento. (You will have to go through three unlit tunnels on the way to Barlovento. Be sure to have a light with you.)

Definitely bring good lights. Road inside the tunnels is full of holes and paddles so you need to navigate them.

On a day with visibility you will see the nearby islands. Don't miss the sunset, the colors are different here. The temperature changes constantly, don't forget your windbreak