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Roque de los Muchachos 2,426m

The volcano Roque de los Muchachos is situated in the northern center of Canary Island La Palma and can be accessed through an asphalted road up to the crater rim. This is the highest spot on the Canaries that can be reached by using a road bike. Its peak is even higher than the very popular road at Teide volcano on Tenerife (2,362m). Due to the (typically) good weather conditions there are several astronomical facilities on the summit of Roque de los Muchachos made accessible by the asphalted road.

Departure: Santa Cruz de la Palma 13m
Altitude difference: 2,550m
Distance: 41km
March 2017

Eastern approach of Roque de los Muchachos constitutes an imposing climb overcoming more than 2,500 meters of altitude gain on more than 40 kilometers distance. The climb has an average grade of some 7%. Shortly before summit the road declines for some hundres meters of altitude but then turns from the northwestern flank to the peak at the crater rim.


Start in the early morning at the Avenida Maritima in the island's capital Santa Cruz de la Palma


Well signposted way leads initially over LP-1...


...and diverts at this junction to very light traffic LP-4.


Typical colourful houses alongside the road in the lower part of the way


View back to Santa Cruz


After a few hundreds meters of altitude gain flora turns into a tight green. Signs alongside the road report the distance covered so far.


Pine-trees in higher elevation


Upcoming clouds from northeast cause some slight concerns.


After half of the distance the cyclist gets swallowed by the clouds.


Patches of snow alongside the road at an elevation of 1,800m


...followed by a sudden drop in temperature to nil degrees and heavy hail.


But it even turns worse: Bitter cold and very bad visibility do not cause any pleasure. The viewpoint Mirador Los Andenes does not provide any views today...


Pass summit of LP-4 at an elevation of some 2,270 meters. The road now declines some hundred meters.


Unexpected photo motif alongside the road


After a few hundreds meters this is the final climb to the observatories


Canary Islands: geographically Northern Africa, eternal springtime, always smooth temperatures, all-season road cycling weather - yeah!


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Peak of Roque de los Muchachos after an unexpected adventurous ride


Summit scenery (360 degree view)



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