At 3,715 metres (12,188 ft), Teide mountain on Tenerife reigns supreme over Spain’s peaks. Like a monarch, it wears its best clothes year round. The Tenerife Forestal nature park is a green jewel that stretches around the island at an elevation of 300 to 2,718 metres (984 and 8,917 ft), between the sea and the mountains.

The park is spectacular. You’ll find a beautiful evergreen laurel forest, Canary Island pine and vast expanses of scrubland. Its base is made of volcanic stones of intense reds, blacks, ochres and greys, shaped by the earth over millennia. Thanks to the humidity here, the green hues of nature are especially vibrant.

The Ruta Forestal del Norte de Tenerife is 85 kilometres (53 mi) long with over 2,300 metres (7,500 ft) of elevation gain. It runs along the BC-1 track that’s waymarked for cyclists and walkers. You’ll ride between 1,000 and 1,700 metres (3,300 and 5,600 ft) above sea level under the forest’s green canopy, which sometimes opens up to reveal beautiful views of the fertile valleys, the sea and Mount Teide. Any expert cyclist could cover this route in a single day, but I’d suggest dividing it into two stages so you can enjoy it without rushing.

The route starts in the Las Raíces camping area and ends at Chío campsite’s car park, on the TF-38 road. You’ll ride through other campsites en route, so you can choose how to plan your adventure, just make sure you book in advance. The stages are similar in terms of distance and elevation gain. You can detour from the route in Benijos to find several accommodation and catering options. Note that neither of the two recreational areas is served by public transport, so the best option is to arrange a support car.

This adventure is breathtaking all year round. The island's mild temperatures are an advantage over latitudes further from the equator. However, it can be quite rainy, so always pack a waterproof coat in any season. The forest stays green thanks to the regular rainfall.
Although this is a short adventure where you can travel very light, I’d recommend taking enough food and drink for each day.

The BC-1 trail has virtually no technical difficulties or steep descents, so you can ride it on a hardtail mountain bike. You could even ride a gravel bike. Bring good tyres though because the volcanic terrain is very rough.

As you near the end, the forest disappears and the view of Mount Teide greets you like a commemorative medal that will be forever etched in your memories.