Cycling around the roads of Lanzarote may be the choice of professional racing teams for their pre-season training camps or keen amateur cyclists escaping the uncertain conditions of a wet British spring, but Lanzarote has more to offer than just road-based routes.

For the those who prefer to do their cycling on mountain bikes, Lanzarote has some remarkable routes, all accompanied by spectacular scenery and ever-changing riding conditions. One cycling company on the island has put together a selection of itineraries which cater for everyone from the hobby rider right up to the semi-pro who yearns for a stern challenge. Their ultimate route is a five day, five stage route which takes riders all around the coast of Lanzarote and even includes in a more leisurely day on the island of La Graciousa off the north west coast.

The suggested route is to start from Puerto del Carmen and on the first day, ride through the capital Arrecife and the tourism centre of Costa Teguise before diverting off onto footpaths and trails across the north of the island to Orzola, a small fishing village. A short ferry ride takes the riders to the island of La Graciosa, a place almost stuck in time, with its sand covered streets and quaint villages.

The west side of the island is tackled in two stages, the first down to the surfers beach at Famara, after a diversion inland to take in some mountain scenery. The next day the lava fields of the Timayanfa National Park provide a change in terrain and a climb from sea level to a height of 350m before dropping down to the beach at Playa Blanca.

After a final nights rest the route tackles the best tracks on the island in the area of Los Ajaches, a ridge of mountains in the south of Lanzarote. Ravines and dry conditions make this a tough and dusty conclusion to an adventurous five days on the island that finishes back in the harbour village of Puerto del Carmen.