Risco Grande

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Las Filipinas (Argeneguín)	920m	695m	9.0 km	7.7%	590	****

Climb Description

Risco Grande is one of several cycling climbs in Gran Canaria which begins from near to the south coast. It follows the GC-505 road from Argeneguín, although the first part is very gentle, and the real climbing only begins from Las Filipinas (shown on the map and profile above).

Despite its rather ominous name, this climb is not a great risk (at least as long as you don't suffer from serious vertigo!). It's a relatively steady climb with gradients that are testing, but not overly steep, and so it's possible to get into a nice rhythm. The climb follows a winding road through the volcanic rock scenery which is so typical of Gran Canaria. At the top of the climb is the Salto del Perro reservoir, which is slightly underwhelming, although in general the scenery is very picturesque.

From the top of the climb, you can continue over a short descent to join up with the climb to Aserrador, allowing the possibility to include Risco Grande as part of a longer circular ride.

Risco Grande is open throughout the year.

Roads & Traffic

The road surface is in very good for the first part of the climb, as far as Barranquillo Andrés. After here it deteriorates and is cracked and bumpy in places. It's still perfectly fine to ride on a road bike, but it's best to go quite slowly if you plan to descend this way.

There is very little traffic throughout the climb.

Alternative Routes

Risco Grande can also be reached from the north. This is basically the same as the climb to Aserrador for the first 20km. After 20km you take a right turn onto the GC-505 and continue a short distance to the Risco Grande pass.

Nearby Climbs

Aserrador

San Bartolomé

Ayagaures

Pinos de Gáldar

Mogán

Pico de las Nieves

Roque Bentayga

Cycling Holidays

Risco Grande is descended on our cycling holiday to Gran Canaria.

In the links below you can find out more about this tour and other similar holidays that we are currently running in Spain.