Rally Islas Canarias: World Rally Championship in the mountains of Gran Canaria

For most of the year, the roads around Moya and Fontanales are peaceful mountain roads winding through forests, valleys and small villages.

But for a few days in spring, things can become very different.

The Rally Islas Canarias – Rally de España brings some of the world's best rally drivers and cars to Gran Canaria. Since 2025, the event has formed part of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), making our island one of the international stops on the world rally calendar. The event has already been confirmed to remain in the WRC from 2027 through 2029.

Not a race circuit, but the roads of Gran Canaria

Unlike circuit racing, a rally takes place on a series of closed public roads called special stages.

Drivers race against the clock, one car at a time. Their times from the individual stages are combined to determine the overall result.

Gran Canaria is particularly suited to this kind of rallying. Its fast asphalt roads, steep climbs, sharp bends and constantly changing mountain landscape create a demanding pure-tarmac rally.

And some of those roads are very close to Finca Vida Libre.

The rally comes through Moya and Fontanales

In both recent editions, the north of Gran Canaria has played an important role in the rally.

In 2026, the Moya – Gáldar stage measured 28.90 kilometres, making it the longest special stage of the entire rally. It started in the municipality of Moya and passed through the Fontanales area before continuing towards Gáldar. The stage was driven twice on Saturday 25 April.

That makes rally weekend rather special here.

Normally, our surroundings are all about hiking, nature, birds and the quiet of rural Gran Canaria. During the rally, spectators gather at designated viewing areas and the sound of rally cars suddenly echoes through the mountains.

And a few hours later, the countryside becomes quiet again.

When does Rally Islas Canarias take place?

Recent WRC editions have taken place in late April. In 2026 the rally was held from 23 to 26 April.

The exact route changes from year to year, so the Moya and Fontanales stage cannot be guaranteed for future editions until the official itinerary has been announced.

If you are planning a stay at Finca Vida Libre during rally week, it is therefore worth checking the latest programme. Road closures can affect access for several hours, but for motorsport fans it can also be a unique opportunity to experience a World Rally Championship event in the spectacular mountain landscape of Gran Canaria.

Staying near the Rally Islas Canarias

Finca Vida Libre is located in the rural north of Gran Canaria, close to Fontanales and the mountain roads used in recent editions of the rally.

It is an unusual combination: a quiet stay surrounded by nature, with one of international motorsport's major events passing through the region for just a few days each year.

Whether you come for the rally or happen to be here when it arrives, it is quite a sight to see these normally peaceful mountain roads transformed into a World Rally Championship stage.