How long does it take to climb to the Peñas del Chache from Arrieta?

It's 11.2 km with +614 m at an average of 5.5 %. At an easy pace, allow between 45 minutes and an hour and a quarter, depending on the wind.

Can you ride all the way to the summit?

Not quite. At the top there are military installations with restricted access and the climb ends where the road allows; respect the signs.

Is there water along the way?

Hardly any. Fill your bottles in Arrieta before you set off; Haría, near the end, has bars and a fountain.

What's the best time of year?

From October to May and early in the morning, before the trade wind picks up. In summer there's no shade and the sun is fierce.

In Arrieta, by the promenade and the harbour, at the foot of the climb.

Road · Haría, Canarias Moderate

Peñas del Chache from Arrieta: climb to the roof of Lanzarote

By bicis.net community · One way

In short: Climb of 11.2 km and +614 m from Haría (Las Palmas), at 5.5 % on average up to 633 m. It's moderate and takes about 1 h 20 to climb; its hardest kilometre is at 9.1 % and it's almost all on tarmac.

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Distance: 11.2 km
Elevation gain: +614 m
Max altitude: 633 m
Hardest km: 9.1 %
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated time: 1 h 20 min

Profile

0 km5.6 km11.2 km

633 m

Run your finger or mouse over the profile to see each point on the map.

Surface

Tarmac 95 % Track 0 % Trail 5 %

Almost all tarmac: ideal for a road bike. Measured on OpenStreetMap; there may be recent changes on the ground.

The route

You set off from Arrieta, on the east coast of Lanzarote, almost at sea level, and climb towards the Famara massif on the road to Haría. It's 11.2 km with +614 m of elevation gain, almost all on tarmac (95 %), finishing at about 630 m, in the area of the Peñas del Chache, the highest point on the island.

The first kilometres cross fields covered in volcanic gravel, dry-stone walls and old lava flows. As you gain height, the Atlantic drops away below on your right and the Temisa and Tabayesco valleys appear. Higher up the vegetation disappears and the wind takes over.

Where it bites

The average gradient is 5.5 %, with no brutal ramps but no long rests either: it's a climb at a steady pace, long by Lanzarote standards. The hardest kilometre is around 9 % and comes near the top, when your legs are already tired. There the north-easterly trade wind can blow very hard head-on or from the side: save something for that stretch.

Where to stop

Fill your bottles and have a coffee in Arrieta before you set off: there's very little along the way. If you want to ride further, Haría, the village of a thousand palms, is close by and has bars and a fountain.

When to go

From October to May, ideally early in the morning, before the wind picks up. In summer the sun is fierce and there's no shade.

What you need to know

At the summit there are military installations with restricted access: the climb ends where the road allows, and the signs come first. On the descent, watch out for side gusts and gravel on the bends.

Getting there

Lanzarote has no train. You can park in Arrieta, by the promenade and the harbour, and get there on the LZ-1 from Arrecife in about 25 minutes.

Sources for this text: OpenStreetMap (subida CIMA desde Arrieta, relación 19837364) · Turismo Lanzarote

Road climb from Arrieta, on the east coast, up to Peñas del Chache, the highest part of Lanzarote, in the Famara massif. You start at sea level and gain height between sand-mulched fields, stone walls and old lava, with the Temisa and Tabayesco valley on one side and the Atlantic further and further below. It's a long climb for the island: about 12 km and more than 600 m of elevation, with no long breaks. The north-east trade wind blows hard almost all year and on the upper part it can stop you dead. At the top there are military installations with restricted access: the climb ends where the road allows, so respect the signs. Water and coffee in Arrieta before you set off; there's very little along the way. Best from October to May, early in the day. On the descent, watch out for the crosswind and gravel on the bends.

Track based on OpenStreetMap (CIMA climb LP02 from Arrieta) (ODbL).

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to climb to the Peñas del Chache from Arrieta?: It's 11.2 km with +614 m at an average of 5.5 %. At an easy pace, allow between 45 minutes and an hour and a quarter, depending on the wind.
Can you ride all the way to the summit?: Not quite. At the top there are military installations with restricted access and the climb ends where the road allows; respect the signs.
Is there water along the way?: Hardly any. Fill your bottles in Arrieta before you set off; Haría, near the end, has bars and a fountain.
What's the best time of year?: From October to May and early in the morning, before the trade wind picks up. In summer there's no shade and the sun is fierce.
Where can you park?: In Arrieta, by the promenade and the harbour, at the foot of the climb.

Before you set off, check the state of the road or track and follow the traffic rules. Enjoy the ride.

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