The best MTB trails around Valle Gran Rey

Mirador de El Palmarejo Also known as Mirador de César Manrique, it is one of the artist's most recognizable works outside of Lanzarote and considered one of his last major interventions. It was designed as a panoramic viewpoint and restaurant, fully integrated into the terraces and the mountain of Valle Gran Rey. For years it operated as a restaurant, although it went through several closures, reopenings, and management problems until it was abandoned for long periods. Even so, even when closed, it remains a spectacular place to stop and contemplate one of the most impressive views of Valle Gran Rey, especially at sunset.

From this point, you get one of the wildest and most isolated views of northwestern La Gomera. Below appears the hamlet of Arguamul, surrounded by enormous ravines and small strips of beach and black shingle that from above almost look like lost islets in the Atlantic. For centuries, this coast was a difficult area for navigation due to the strong surf and the absence of natural shelters, which is why landings and access from the sea were very difficult. The most interesting thing here is not so much the legends, but the real sense of isolation: until not so many years ago, Arguamul was mainly connected by mountain paths and trails, maintaining a life very separate from the rest of the island. On clear days, the mix of cliffs, ocean, and scattered hamlets makes the landscape seem almost untouched.

quite discreet compared to other reservoirs in the Canary Islands, but very important to understand how water has been historically managed in La Gomera. Here every drop counts, and these deposits helped to store water collected from rain and humidity from the peaks to supply nearby crops and agricultural areas. The curious thing is the contrast: a small reservoir surrounded by enormous ravines and wild volcanic landscape, where water has always been one of the island's most valuable resources.

Mirador de La Retama From this viewpoint, the wild dimensions of the ravines of La Gomera are perfectly understood. Directly opposite, you can see ancient caves dug into the rock, used for generations as shelter, storage, and even housing by the island's inhabitants in times when moving between valleys was much more complicated than today. The new road and tunnel have completely changed the connectivity of this area, but from here you can still perceive what the more isolated and rugged Gomera was like.

Mirador de la Curva del Queso One of those spots where it's worth stopping, even if just for a minute. The road twists through ravines, and suddenly an immense panorama of La Gomera's volcanic relief appears. It's very typical to see fog rolling in and out at high speed, while below the valley remains completely clear. A perfect corner to take a breath, snap a photo, and keep cycling.

On the ascent of the hiking trail from Borbalán to El Cercado, new and charming views of the upper course of the "Valley of the Great King" repeatedly open up. It is named after the Gomeran king Hupalupa, who led the uprising of the Canary natives against the occupation by the Castilian Crown in 1488.

From here you have a fantastic view into the gorge and, on a clear day, all the way to El Hierro. Ideal for a short stopover.

The climb immediately after the village is steep and demanding right from the start. It's best to take it easy and find a steady rhythm.