The 10 Best Places to Cycle in South America

Why go

Route 7 runs south from Puerto Montt through cold rainforest, fjords and lakes of an improbable blue, past hanging glaciers. It is one of the most popular long rides in the world, with asphalt and ferries in the north and more gravel the further south you go. At Villa O'Higgins the road stops, and the way on to Argentina is by boat and on foot.

The route

From Puerto Montt a short ferry crosses from Caleta La Arena to Caleta Puelche on the way to Hornopirén, where the road breaks off. A boat runs to Leptepu, you ride about 10 km to Fiordo Largo, and a second boat lands you at Caleta Gonzalo, about 60 km from Chaitén. The road then crosses Queulat National Park to Coyhaique. About 100 km south, the Portezuelo Ibáñez climb, 15 km with six hairpins, drops to Villa Cerro Castillo beneath its jagged peak. Gravel follows Lago General Carrera, Chile's largest lake, to Puerto Río Tranquilo and the boats to the Marble Caves. South of Cochrane a ferry from Puerto Yungay to Río Bravo leads to Villa O'Higgins. The finale crosses Lago O'Higgins by boat to Candelario Mancilla, then about 22 km of track to Laguna del Desierto, a boat or 12 km trail along it, and about 40 km of road to El Chaltén.

When to go

December to March brings the mildest weather and longest days. The Lago O'Higgins boat runs several times a week from November to March. Snow can shut the road in winter, as it did overnight near Chaitén in June 2025.

Getting there

Fly from Santiago to El Tepual (PMC) at Puerto Montt to start in the north, or to Balmaceda (BBA) near Coyhaique to join in the middle.

Permits and booking

The road needs no permit. Buy the Hornopirén to Caleta Gonzalo crossing early, online at barcazas.cl, even with only a bicycle. Book a guided boat or kayak tour for the Marble Caves, the only way in. You leave Chile near Candelario Mancilla and enter Argentina at Laguna del Desierto. Chilean law asks for a white front light and a red rear light after dark, and a helmet in urban areas. In 2026 Vialidad is paving 16.2 km between Bahía Murta and Puente El Belga and 18 km between Fiordo Queulat and Puente Chucao; expect work zones, though no closures are announced.

How hard it is

Pavement and gravel alternate, and the southern ripio is loose in places. The Queulat pass is narrow and steep. Portezuelo Ibáñez averages 5.1%, with a steepest 100 m at 11.7%. Services are thin, and near the Argentine border the path turns muddy and technical, so expect to push or carry the bike.

Where to sleep

Riders stop in Hornopirén, Chaitén, Puyuhuapi, Coyhaique, Villa Cerro Castillo, Puerto Río Tranquilo, Cochrane and Villa O'Higgins, and a tent helps on the long gaps between them.

Tips

• Leave spare days at Villa O'Higgins, since weather can stop the Lago O'Higgins boat for several days.
• Carry cash and extra food for the border crossing, as Candelario Mancilla sells only basic supplies.
• Expect horseflies until about the end of January, and stock up on tyres, cash and repairs in Coyhaique before the gravel of the south.

Why go

The old road from La Paz down to the Yungas was built in the 1930s, much of it by Paraguayan prisoners of war, and for decades it had one of the worst accident records of any road in the world. A newer highway now carries most of the traffic, and the old road has become one of the most famous mountain bike descents anywhere, ridden by around 25,000 visitors a year. In a single morning you drop from the cold, bare altiplano, with views of Huayna Potosí, into warm cloud forest full of waterfalls.

The route

The day starts at La Cumbre, the pass above La Paz at about 4,700 m. The first part of the descent is on asphalt, fast and open, with snow peaks behind you. Then the route turns onto the old dirt road, which drops about 2,000 m on its own, cut into the side of the valley with drops of more than 1,000 m on the outer edge. The road narrows, waterfalls spill across it and the air grows warm and humid as you lose height. Most groups finish just below Yolosa, near Coroico, and many stop at La Senda Verde, an animal refuge where tour groups often eat lunch. Over the whole ride you drop well over 3,500 m in about 64 km, with only a few short uphill and flat sections.

When to go

The dry season, from May to October, is the usual time to ride. The wet season runs roughly from November to March, when the dirt surface becomes slippery and cloud can hide the views, and some guides advise avoiding December to February. Weather in the Yungas changes fast at any time of year.

Getting there

Almost everyone rides with a tour company from La Paz, which takes riders to La Cumbre by van, supplies bikes and gear, and drives them back the same day. If you bring your own bike, you have to arrange the transfer of about an hour to La Cumbre yourself.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed, but there is an entry charge for the road that some tours do not include, so carry cash. Unlike the rest of Bolivia, traffic on the old road keeps to the left, so riders descend on the outer, cliff side and must give way to the occasional vehicle. One leading operator lists its full day at 154 US dollars for adults in 2027, with a maximum of 14 riders per group.

How hard it is

Technically it is a beginner's ride: almost all downhill on a wide gravel road, and operators take riders of average fitness. The danger is in the drops and in losing concentration, and riders have died here, including in wet weather. Ride within your limits, keep your speed down on the loose corners and choose an operator with good bikes and trained guides.

Where to sleep

Most riders sleep in La Paz and go back the same evening. Others stay down in the warmth of Coroico or at La Senda Verde near Yolosa, and bikepackers find basic lodging in villages across the Yungas.

Tips

• Spend a few days in La Paz first, since the ride starts above 4,600 m.
• Pick an operator on the quality of its bikes, brakes and guides, not on price.
• Pack layers for the cold start and light clothes and insect repellent for the warm finish.

Why go

In the far southwest of Bolivia the altiplano becomes a high desert of volcanoes, coloured lakes, geysers and salt. Bikepackers come to ride across the Salar de Uyuni, where the surface stretches white to the horizon, and to cross the Lagunas Route to the south, one of the most remote and demanding rides on the continent. The bikepacking.com route that joins them runs 734 km, most of it unpaved, and spends long stretches above 4,000 m.

The route

Most riders start in San Pedro de Atacama in Chile and climb to the Bolivian border at Hito Cajón, at 4,549 m. The Lagunas section then crosses the Eduardo Avaroa reserve past the hot springs at Polques, the geysers and mud pots of Sol de Mañana and Laguna Colorada, red with white borax islands, where flamingos feed. North of the reserve the route reaches the salt. Isla Incahuasi, an island of giant cactus, sits about 64 km into the Salar de Uyuni, and Volcán Tunupa rises at its northern edge above the village of Tahua. The route then crosses to Llica and the Salar de Coipasa near the Chilean border. Uyuni town has buses to La Paz for riders who stop there.

When to go

The dry season, from May to October, is the time to ride. Rain can make the gravel roads impassable and turn the salt flats into shallow lakes, and snow is possible in any month. Nights are well below freezing, with minus 15°C common, and the wind blows hardest in the afternoon and evening.

Getting there

Fly to Calama, Antofagasta or Santiago in Chile and take a bus to San Pedro de Atacama. At the northern end, buses run from Uyuni to La Paz.

Permits and booking

Entry to the Eduardo Avaroa reserve costs 150 bolivianos, paid in cash, and the ticket is checked when you leave, so keep it. Isla Incahuasi charges 30 bolivianos, and camping there needs permission. There are cash machines only in Uyuni and San Pedro, and no cards are accepted along the route. United States citizens need a visa for Bolivia, while most EU countries, Canada and Australia are exempt.

How hard it is

This is a hard expedition. The Lagunas section has deep sand and corrugated tracks, especially on the stretch to Laguna Colorada, and tyres of about 2.4 inches help. Water is scarce, so carry about 6 litres each on the Lagunas section and food for a week. Expect altitude headaches and poor sleep, and slow progress: the route's authors averaged about 32 km a day.

Where to sleep

Basic hospedajes with rooms for about 5 to 10 dollars a person stand at the border and in villages such as Tahua, Llica and Coipasa, and there are salt hotels near the Salar de Uyuni. Wild camping is possible along most of the route, and Laguna Colorada has basic hostels.

Tips

• Wash salt off the bike as soon as you can, since salt water damages components.
• Use a GPS on the salt flat, which has almost no landmarks, and wear dark glasses against the glare.
• Start early each day to avoid the strongest afternoon winds.

Why go

Colombia is the cycling country of South America, and Alto de Letras is its most famous climb. The road from Mariquita to Manizales crosses the Cordillera Central and climbs for about 80 km from hot lowland to cold páramo, one of the longest continuous road climbs in the world. It featured in the first Vuelta a Colombia in 1951, and riders come from all over the world to ride it from bottom to top in one go.

The route

The climb starts in the hot, humid town of Mariquita, in Tolima, at about 500 m. The first 22 km to Fresno climb through rainforest, with the first 5 km averaging about 7% and ramps above 12%. From Fresno to Padua the road climbs more gently and even descends in places through coffee country, with views of Nevado del Ruiz when the cloud lifts. Between Padua and Herveo it winds through pine and eucalyptus forest and fog on sustained 6% slopes. The last section, from about 3,000 m, averages about 7% for 14 km before easing over the last 6 km past the frailejones of the páramo to the summit at about 3,680 m. From there the road drops to Manizales.

When to go

The road is ridden all year, but the weather changes with the height: above 30°C in the lower section and cold and misty near the top, so carry layers and rain gear. Start no later than 8am, or as early as 6am, to get through the heat around Mariquita.

Getting there

Mariquita lies near Honda, about 150 km by road from Bogotá, a drive of about two and a half to three hours, and buses run from Bogotá to Honda. Manizales is at the top end of the road, and the drive between Manizales and Mariquita takes about four hours.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed. This is a main road and one of only two paved passes over the Cordillera Central, so lorries and cars use it all day, though drivers are generally patient with cyclists. In 2026 PJAMM Cycling reported that the corridor had been resurfaced, and that a landslide after a 10 August 2026 earthquake near Cerro Bravo closed the road for four days, after which it reopened with regulated traffic. Check the road's status before you go.

How hard it is

The average gradient of about 4.5% hides how hard it is, because part of the route descends, so the climbing sections are steeper than the average suggests. Most of the steep riding is in the middle and upper sections. Light gearing, such as a 34 tooth chainring with a 34 tooth sprocket, is recommended, and many riders choose a support vehicle.

Where to sleep

Riders stay in Mariquita or Honda the night before and finish in Manizales. Fresno is the main town on the lower climb for food and drink.

Tips

• Refuel in Fresno, since shops are sparse higher up.
• Arrange a lift back from the summit, or expect more than 1,200 m of climbing on the return.
• Carry warm and waterproof layers for the descent into Manizales.

Why go

This stretch of Route 40 in northern Patagonia links two lake towns through forest and mountains, passing seven lakes and running through national parks, among them Nahuel Huapi and Lanín. It is short enough for a long weekend on a loaded bike, with campsites on the lakeshores, and the road is paved. It is one of the most popular rides in Argentina, and the province has planned a separate cycle path along it.

The route

Starting from Villa La Angostura on Lake Nahuel Huapi, the road passes Lago Espejo, with a beach, campsite and viewpoint, about 12 km out, then Lago Correntoso and the small Lago Escondido. Lago Villarino and Lago Falkner sit side by side about halfway, with a rest area, beaches and camping. A short detour leads to Lago Hermoso, then the road passes Lago Machónico and drops to San Martín de los Andes on Lago Lácar. The order of the lakes depends on the direction you ride, and many people start from San Martín and ride south. From Bariloche the full road to San Martín is 185 km.

When to go

The usual season runs from November to March. The road is open all year, but snow and ice can make it hard to pass in winter, and the weather can change from sun to cold, wind and rain in a day at any time.

Getting there

Bariloche is the usual starting point: Route 40 runs north past Dina Huapi and Villa La Angostura to the start of the Seven Lakes road. San Martín de los Andes sits at the northern end.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed to ride the road. Parts of it lie inside national parks, where park rules apply at campsites and beaches. Argentina's national road law requires a bike to have working brakes, a white front light, a red rear light and reflectors on the pedals and wheels, and the government's cycling guide adds a certified helmet.

How hard it is

The riding is rolling rather than steep, and fitness and experience matter less than on most Andean routes, though local guides advise against riding alone. The main hazards are traffic on a road with little or no shoulder in many places and Patagonian wind, mostly from the northwest.

Where to sleep

Campsites line the lakes, at Espejo, Falkner and Hermoso among others, and both end towns have hotels and hostels. Supplies are limited between the towns, so carry food. Many riders take three or four days to enjoy the lakes.

Tips

• Carry food for the whole ride, since there are few shops between the towns.
• Leave spare time for wind and rain days.
• Wear bright clothing, since the shoulder is narrow or missing in many places.

Why go

The Cordillera Blanca is a range of glaciers and high lakes, and Huascarán National Park protects its glaciers and lakes. For cyclists it offers a rare thing: a paved road that switchbacks up beneath the ice to a tunnel at about 4,736 m, and a loop of three high passes that circles the range's highest peaks. In 2026 Peru gave the park its highest rating as a tourist attraction.

The route

The classic is the climb from Carhuaz to Punta Olímpica, about 52 km and 2,300 m of ascent, through farmland and villages, with a short steep section at Llipta, then more than 30 switchbacks over the last 18 km below the glaciers. The Huascarán circuit continues through the tunnel and down to Chacas, crosses the lower Pupash pass, climbs from Yanama over the unpaved Portachuelo de Llanganuco at about 4,710 m beneath Chopicalqui, and drops to Yungay. It is about 230 km from Carhuaz and back, or about 300 km from Huaraz. Ride it anticlockwise so the paved climb comes first.

When to go

The dry season, from June to September, brings clearer skies and less rain. Outside it, cloud and rain are more likely.

Getting there

Huaraz, the main town of the valley, is the base. From Yungay back to Huaraz is about 60 km of gentle climbing on the main road, and buses carry bikes for a small fee.

Permits and booking

The roads cross Huascarán National Park, and visitors pay an entry fee at the control posts or online through SERNANP's Tu Ticket. A third party guide lists 2026 fees for foreigners of 30 soles for one day, 60 soles for two or three days and 150 soles for 4 to 30 days. Since 9 February 2026, visits to Laguna 69 and Nevado Pisco must be made with authorised agencies. Do not ride through the Punta Olímpica tunnel, which is long, narrow and dark; take a lift.

How hard it is

Hard because of altitude rather than gradient: you ride above 3,000 m most of the time and long sections above 4,000 m. About half the circuit is unpaved, and some sections are in poor condition. Arrive in Huaraz days ahead to acclimatise.

Where to sleep

Huaraz has everything from budget hostels to mountain lodges, and most will store bags while you ride. Chacas and Yanama have cheap rooms and restaurants, and riders camp before Punta Olímpica and after the Portachuelo descent.

Tips

• Leave spare gear at your Huaraz hotel and carry only what you need.
• Take a day hike to Laguna 69 with an authorised agency while you acclimatise.
• Expect flies above 4,000 m and strong sun at all heights.

Why go

SC-390 climbs the wall of the Serra Geral in the south of Brazil in a tangle of hairpins, from the coastal plain to the highland plateau. It began as a mule track used by cattle drovers, opened as a dirt road in the 1950s and was paved in concrete between 1984 and 1986, the first concrete highway in the state, chosen for grip when the top ices over. From the viewpoint at the top you can see the ocean more than 100 km away on a clear day. It is one of the best known road climbs in the country.

The route

The climb starts at Lauro Müller, the recommended starting point, at about 200 m, and climbs for about 24 km and 284 bends to Bom Jardim da Serra on the plateau. The race course from Lauro Müller to the viewpoint, the Mirante, is 17.9 km. The steepest and twistiest section is the wall itself, where the road folds back on itself under the cliffs. From the top, riders continue to the Canyon das Laranjeiras near Bom Jardim da Serra, or ride on through the highlands to Urubici, about an hour's drive away, and São Joaquim.

When to go

The road is open most of the year, and visibility is often best between 11am and 3pm. Fog rising from the coast is the main hazard and can close in within minutes at any season. Winter brings ice and sometimes snow that can close the road, and police spread salt on it in late June 2026. Weekends and holidays are busy, so ride on weekdays if you can.

Getting there

Florianópolis has the nearest major airport. Lauro Müller is about 180 to 190 km away by road, and the viewpoint about 200 km. There is no direct public bus to the serra, so most people drive.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed. The speed limit on the climb is 40 km/h, and the state road police answer on 198. Each April the Desafio da Serra do Rio do Rastro closes the road to cars for a morning; the 2026 edition, on 26 April, closed it from 6am to 11am. The 2026 Volta Ciclística de Santa Catarina also finished a stage at the viewpoint.

How hard it is

A long, steady climb of more than 1,200 m, with the hardest riding in the hairpins. On the descent, take care in the tight bends and on damp concrete, and use lights in fog.

Where to sleep

Riders stay in Lauro Müller at the bottom or in Bom Jardim da Serra, Urubici and São Joaquim on the plateau, where there are inns and farm stays.

Tips

• Carry lights and a bright jacket for fog, even on a clear morning.
• Ride early on a weekday to avoid the heaviest tourist traffic.
• Look out for the coatis at the top viewpoint, but do not feed them.

Why go

Bogotá gave the world the Ciclovía. Since 1974, when a group of cycling enthusiasts first closed streets to cars, the city has opened its main avenues to cyclists, runners and walkers every Sunday and holiday, and the idea has been copied around the world. In 2026 the network covered 141.46 km. Beyond the city, the climbs of the eastern hills have made Bogotá one of the great training bases of Colombian cycling.

The route

The Ciclovía follows corridors such as Carrera Séptima, Calle 26, Avenida Boyacá, Carrera 50 and Carrera 9, with free activities, mechanics and a bicycle school along the way. Serious riders head for Alto de Patios, which starts on the road to La Calera on the edge of the city and climbs about 6.5 km at an average of 6 to 7%, with ramps of up to 10%, to about 3,000 m. In 2025 it was the most popular Strava cycling segment in the world. From La Calera, the Vuelta a la Sabana loop of about 80 to 90 km continues through Sopó and the Alto de las Arepas.

When to go

The Ciclovía runs every Sunday and holiday all year, though some holidays differ: there was none on Good Friday or on 1 January in 2026. The climbs can be ridden any day; start early to avoid traffic.

Getting there

Most visitors fly into Bogotá's El Dorado airport. Alto de Patios starts in the northeast of the city, near Avenida Circunvalar.

Permits and booking

The Ciclovía is free and needs no booking; check the route on the IDRD's announcements, since sections are sometimes diverted. Alto de Patios is a public road with heavy traffic, including buses, school transport and motorbikes, and little shoulder on the lower part. Cundinamarca's transport department asks riders to use reflective clothing and lights before dawn.

How hard it is

The Ciclovía is flat and easy, but Bogotá sits high in the Andes, so visitors from sea level will feel the altitude. Alto de Patios is a category two climb, steady rather than steep, but harder at altitude, and the concrete section near the top has a 250 m straight at 9%.

Where to sleep

The city has hotels in every price range; riders often start from Usaquén in the north, close to the climbs to La Calera.

Tips

• Carry a puncture kit on Patios and the Sabana loop, since there are few places to fix a flat.
• Join the Ciclovía early, before the streets get crowded.
• IDRD staff never ask for belongings or to borrow your bike, so ignore anyone who does.

Why go

Below the Tungurahua volcano, the road from Baños to Puyo follows the gorge of the Río Pastaza down toward the Amazon, past a string of waterfalls. Cycling the first part of it is the most popular day out in Ecuador's highlands, and since it runs almost all downhill, it suits riders of any fitness. The end point, the Pailón del Diablo, is possibly the most spectacular waterfall in Ecuador.

The route

From Baños at about 1,820 m, the road passes the Agoyán dam and waterfall after about 3 km, with cable cars and zip lines crossing the gorge. The Manto de la Novia falls are about 7 km out, where a cable car, the tarabita, crosses to the falls. At Río Verde, about 15 km from Baños, a 20 minute walk leads to the Pailón del Diablo, where stairs and a narrow passage take you behind the water. Machay, 2.5 km further, has a trail to more falls and swimming pools. The whole road to Puyo is 61 km, but most people stop between Río Verde and Machay.

When to go

The route is ridden all year. The gorge is misty and humid, and showers can come at any time, so carry a rain jacket and start early to leave time for the stops.

Getting there

Buses run from Quito's Quitumbe terminal to Baños in about three and a half to four hours. Bikes can be hired in Baños from most hotels and agencies.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed. Entry to the Pailón del Diablo costs a dollar or two, and the cable cars and zip lines are paid separately. Most of the route follows the main highway with traffic, including a tunnel just out of Baños. Ask for a helmet and lock with your hire bike, since there are few bike racks at the stops.

How hard it is

Easy. It is almost all downhill on paved road, so the hardest part is sharing the road with traffic, especially in the tunnel. The walk back up from Machay is steep.

Where to sleep

Baños has hotels, hostels and campsites for every budget. Riders return the same day by truck or bus: pickups wait at Río Verde and Machay, and shuttle fares run from about 2 to 5 dollars.

Tips

• Check the brakes before you leave, as the road is all downhill.
• Take the bike company's phone number in case of trouble.
• Check the Tungurahua volcano's alert level before you go.

Why go

Mendoza is Argentina's wine capital, and its vineyards spread across the plain below the Andes. The flat roads of Maipú and Luján de Cuyo have made a day of cycling between wineries one of the classic things to do here. For stronger riders, Provincial Route 52 climbs from the city through the Villavicencio reserve and up the Caracoles, one of the most winding roads in the country, to the Cruz de Paramillo before dropping to the Uspallata valley.

The route

Maipú, about 15 km southeast of the city, has rental shops that hand out maps of the wineries, olive oil makers and museums along tree-lined streets, so you can visit small family bodegas without booking. In Luján de Cuyo, guided rides of about 15 km start at Vinorum in Pedriel and visit four wineries. Route 52 runs 57 km from the city to the Villavicencio reserve and its old hotel, paved that far, then climbs through the Caracoles, with more than 250 bends, to the summit at about 3,000 m. From Uspallata, the climb to the Cruz de Paramillo is 26.1 km at 3.9% and is rated first category.

When to go

Autumn, from March to May, and spring, from September to November, are the most comfortable seasons. Summer days can pass 30°C, so ride early or late. The grape harvest runs roughly from February to April. In winter, snow and ice can close the Caracoles and the road over Paramillo.

Getting there

Most visitors arrive in Mendoza city. Buses from the city reach Maipú in about 30 minutes.

Permits and booking

No permit is needed to ride. Argentina's national road law requires working brakes, a white front light, a red rear light and reflectors on the pedals and wheels, and the government's cycling guide adds a certified helmet. Before riding Route 52, check Vialidad Mendoza's road reports, since parts can be closed by snow or need chains in winter.

How hard it is

The wine roads are flat and smooth with little traffic and suit any rider, though tasting and cycling call for restraint. The Caracoles climb is long and exposed, and Route 52 is paved only as far as the Villavicencio hotel.

Where to sleep

Most riders stay in Mendoza city and ride out to Maipú and Luján de Cuyo for the day. The old Hotel de Villavicencio stands on Route 52 inside the reserve.

Tips

• Ride to the furthest winery first, so the ride home is short.
• Visit large wineries such as Trapiche early, as some close before 4pm.
• Carry plenty of water on Route 52, where there is little on the way.