Wednesday 23 October 2013

Mountain Bike Trails in Chile

Climb as far as you can to Paso Jama after which downhill on a paved road with views from the Atacama Desert moonscape. There are several rides in the Atacama based in the lodges we use there such at Explore Atacama and also the Terrantai Lodge. If Moab and the Canyonlands in Utah are your type of biking, you can't miss the Atacama Desert on bike. Rides range from easy/beginner to expert trails which traverse mountain passes, and constist of uneven, steep and technical climbs and descents. Beginner rides stick to the paved roads and smooth gravel roads, allowing riders to concentrate around the scenery and not so much on the peddling.

The forested mountains and clear blue lakes from the Lakes Region are a sharp contrast towards the Atacama. Set off along the shores of Lake Llanquihue, heading for Ensenada Village. The off-road riding begins while you approach the snow-covered Osorno Volcano, and trails is going to be selected to suit your abilities.

A mountain biking holiday in Lake District of Chile and Argentina - a landscape of snow capped volcanoes, deep valleys, lakes and monkey puzzle tree forests set against the awesome backdrop from the Andes. Biking in an environment of tranquillity, it is really an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Well paced, our mountain biking route is on the combination of quiet roads, gravel tracks and earth roads that skirt immense lakes and pass through sleepy villages allowing us to absorb ourselves fully in Chile's Lake District, its people and their life-style. Accommodation on this holiday is a combination of small hotels, lodges and family run hospedajes (South American bed and breakfasts), chosen for their location and hospitality.

About this Chile mountain biking holiday we commence our journey eastwards from Puerto Varas, beside Lago Llanquilhue and also the ever impressive Volcano Osorno. En route we pause to appreciate the number of rapids and waterfalls of Saltos de Petrohue, before leaving Chile for that moment and crossing into Argentina.

From here we head along the lovely Ruta de Las Siete Lagos‚ to San Martin de los Andes. Situated around the edge of Lago Lacar, San Martin is the perfect place to relax and reflect around the mountain biking holiday so far.

More incredible volcanoes and towering arucaria trees line our route back to Chile. Volcan Villarica beckons us towards the picturesque town of Pucon, where for the adventurous, the climb towards the top of the active Volcan Villarrica is an experience not to be forgotten!