Cycling in Chile is an incredible experience.
This ribbon-shaped South American country is home to heavenly rides through wild landscapes: the towering peaks of the Andes, arid plateaus of the Atacama Desert, endless Pacific coastline and emerald-blue lakes of the Lake District. The people are welcoming and friendly, the food is fresh and tasty, the wine is world-class.
In this article we speak to Santiago-based cyclist, José Eugenio Moreno. José has run Chile Rides, since 2016 and here he shares his inside knowledge for where to start with planning a bike tour in Chile.
We first met José via one of our readers who booked him for rides in and around Santiago, had a great time and put us in touch. In this article José talks to us about his country, how to find the best areas for your Chile cycling holiday, Chile cycling events and places to stay.
Want Chile Rides to help you plan your trip? Make sure you use the 10% offer code below!
This article includes details of products and/or services that we have used ourselves or which we would consider using. Some are paid features or include affiliate links or referral codes which we may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our disclosure policy for further information.
All metrics in this article are approximate.
Why go cycling in Chile?
Beautiful landscapes
Chile offers a variety of stunning scenery, from the Atacama desert in the north, through to the Pacific Ocean along the whole west coast, farmland and vineyards in centre of Chile, volcanoes, lakes rivers and ancient forests in the South and Patagonia. And finally, the great Andes Mountains that runs along the east of the territory from north to south.
Cycling routes in Chile
There are a few very famous routes through these landscapes, such as the Carretera Austral (which is a particularly breathtaking 1,200 kilometre road between Puerto Montt and Villa O’Higgins), but there is also fantastic riding throughout the country.
Chile is one of the best outdoors destinations in the world, has a growing tourism industry and locals are very friendly to foreigners. Road cycling in Chile is growing in popularity, alongside gravel riding and mountain biking too.
Food and wine
Chile’s food is delicious; daily snacks on the bike are easy as you can generally find fresh empanadas, ripe avocados and freshly baked bread along the way. Chilean wines rank among the best in the world. Take advantage of opportunities to visit vineyards and indulge in wine tasting.
Nature
Chile is abundant in natural beauty, with a diverse range of plant and animal life. Along the extensive coastline, you can find penguins, pelicans, and sea lions, while migrating whales can be observed as they travel to and from their feeding and breeding grounds. Chile’s varied landscapes are home to a rich array of wildlife, including pumas, alpacas, vicuñas, foxes, condors, and flamingos.
Physical and mental challenge
Cycling through Chile presents ever-changing terrain, including desert mountain grades, battling winds, and bumpy gravel roads.
Climate
Chile is a great bet for cyclists from the Northern Hemisphere looking for a taste of summer during their autumn and winter (October to March) as that’s when central and southern Chile are at their best.
Want help organising your Chile cycling trip?
We’ve been planning cycling holidays in Chile since 2016 and would love to help you plan yours.
Find out more and contact us via our website.
Exclusive offer: use the code below and get 10% discount on any services you book with Chile Rides!
Give us an overview of Chile from a cyclist’s perspective
Chile, is a long and narrow country, resembling a ribbon, as it extends along the western coast of South America. Its coastline is around 6,500 kilometres in length, while its width is only about 90 kilometres at its narrowest point (it’s 177 kilometres wide on average).
Borders
The Pacific Ocean lies to the west of Chile, Peru and Bolivia are on the northern border and Argentina is to the east.
Natural features
In the far south, you find Patagonia and the famous Torres del Paine National Park, which includes towering granite peaks, glaciers and lakes. Continental Chile ends in Puerto Williams city and finally to the South Pole at the Chilean Antarctica.
Chile also lays claim to an impressive collection of lakes that enhance its already fabulous scenery. These are dotted throughout the country. Among the most renowned is Lago General Carrera, the second-largest lake in South America. Its striking turquoise hues, framed by imposing fjords and encircled by lush forests, create a sight that is nothing short of breathtaking. Additionally, Lake Pehoé in Torres del Paine National Park takes centre stage with its mesmerising emerald waters amidst the dramatic mountainous backdrop.
Towns and cities
Chile’s capital is Santiago, and is home to around 7 million people (representing about 40 percent of the population). Santiago’s cityscape is characterised by hills and the swiftly flowing Mapocho River. It’s surrounded by parks like Parque Forestal and Balmaceda Park and the Andes Mountains are visible from many areas within the city.
Other good bases for cyclists in Chile are San Pedro de Atacama (north) and Pucón and Puerto Varas (south). From these cities you can find several options to ride your bike, great hotel and accommodation offer. They’re also easily accessible by flights and long-distance buses from Santiago.
Map of Chile, map of Chile within South America and South America within the world
What are the roads like in Chile?
When planning a cycling trip in Chile, it’s best to try and avoid the main highways and stick to the smaller roads between towns. These usually have good surfaces and are wide. Be prepared for dust through; there’s often a lot of it!
Cyclists are well treated in general; in my experience they are more friendly than Argentinian drivers for sure and will often give you a short toot of the horn to say hello! However, there are always drivers who will ignore your presence.
On Saturday and Sundays you will find lots of cyclists riding, mainly amateurs. Also in summer, many people go out for short rides during weekday evenings. Pro cycling in Chile is not a very developed sport, so there aren’t many pros riding. That said, Carlos Oyarzún, joined the Movistar Team in 2011 and was the first Chilean to finish the Giro d’Italia.
Want help organising your Chile cycling trip?
We’ve been planning cycling holidays in Chile since 2016 and would love to help you plan yours.
Find out more and contact us via our website.
Exclusive offer: use the code below and get 10% discount on any services you book with Chile Rides!
What are the best regions for cycling tours in Chile?
It’s hard to choose, but here are a few of my favourite places to bike in Chile!
Antofagasta Region (Northern Chile)
The roads here are at around 2,000 metres above sea level and more, surrounded by desert and mountains. You can find good tarmac but also some rough asphalt. San Pedro is one of the most popular places in the north of Chile. Besides cycling, you can do a lot of other activities and there are also lots of hotels for every budget and great gastronomy.
Where to base yourself
San Pedro de Atacama is the main base in this region. You can reach it via flights from Santiago to Calama, which is around 1 hours 20 minutes’ drive from San Pedro.
Route example
San Pedro de Atacama to Toconao
GPX DownloadTerms of use reminder
Riding at 2,000+ metres above sea level (you can get to 4,500 metres above sea level!) through the desert is a challenge itself. The thin air, sometimes with sandstorms, and seeing “nothing” and “nobody” for several hours at a time is also unique.
Other things to do while in San Pedro de Atacama
- The Atacama desert plateau is perfect for stargazing because it’s at a high altitude of 2,308 metres. The stars here are more vivid than what you’ve likely seen before. You can also look through powerful telescopes and binoculars to see planets, binary stars, clusters, and more.
- Take in the Atacama Salt Flat, Chile’s largest salt deposit. Like the nearby Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, the Atacama Salt Flat has a white surface with a big salt lake underneath. The salt flat is 300,000 km2 in size and its entire area can be seen clearly because of the clean air. However, this good visibility makes it difficult to judge distances accurately which makes for interesting photo opportunities.
- Laguna Verde spills out between the bases of two volcanoes and its bright emerald coloured water is a sight to behold.
- Visit the National Flamingo Reserve; the salt field is a large lake fed by mountain rivers and melting snow, and is surrounded by lagoons filled with flamingos.
- Experience the Tatio Geysers, a volcanic geothermal field with impressive water and steam columns. These geysers, situated at 4,000 metres above sea level, are the world’s highest.
Valparaíso Region (Central Chile)
In this region you will find the most popular and trendy towns and cities along the Pacific Ocean. Examples include Viña del Mar, Reñaca, Maitencillo, Cachagua and Zapallar. It’s a great area for coastal rides.
Not far away, in the Andes Mountains is Portillo Ski Center, an iconic cycling climb in Chile. There are also a lot of inner hilly roads through valleys and vineyard.
Where to base yourself
Some of the smaller towns to the north of Valparaiso are a good bet. For example Zapallar is a charming coastal town known for its white-sand beaches. Cachagua is famous for Isla Cachagua, a private wildlife sanctuary. Maitencillo is a colourful fishing cove.
Route example
Los Andes to Portillo
GPX DownloadTerms of use reminder
The climb to Portillo Ski Center is one of the most iconic bike rides in South America.
Portillo is about 150 kilometres from Santiago. The road to Portillo, (which is also the International Highway between Santiago and Mendoza, Argentina) is famous because of a short section called “Los Caracoles” (the snails). These are on the last 10 kilometres of the climb and include 29 switchbacks that take you to 2,800 metres above sea level, riding in between massive mountains.
Do take care on this road; because it’s the international highway, there are often a lot of trucks, cars and tourist buses on it. It’s also sometimes very windy.
Cachagua to Cuesta del Pobre and back. A great mix of riding along the Pacific Ocean, passing through small and exclusive touristic towns as Cachagua, Zapallar and Papudo right by the sea. Then you get to the valleys, countryside and small hills. The hits of hits ride is “La Grupa Tunnel” (1,2 km one lane tunnel, completely in the dark) and “Cuesta del Pobre” a 5.5 kilometre climb with 12% average grade, sections of 18%!
Other things to do while in Valparaiso region
- Walk (or cycle) around Viña del Mar, nicknamed the “Garden City,” showcases a beautiful urban landscape with charming gardens, all overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean. Its impressive architecture, grand palaces, and the famous Flower Clock make Viña del Mar a must-visit destination in Chile.
- Spend some time in Valparaíso, it’s a historic port of great significance in Chile. It’s known for its lively atmosphere and unique location amidst rolling hills, forming a natural amphitheater with the sea as its backdrop. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a chance to explore Cerro Alegre, where you can admire the city’s colourful neighbourhoods, ride its funiculars, and enjoy the sea views.
- Isla de los Pingüinos, also known as Pelican Island, is a private and protected wildlife sanctuary. It is home to various birds like big birds, ducks, gulls, and sea otters. You can’t visit it, but you can view it from Cachagua main beach.
Santiago Metropolitan Region (Capital city)
Santiago is the capital of Chile and is known for being a cosmopolitan and buzzy place with iconic landmarks and a great restaurant and bar scene. It’s located about 100 km inland from the coast and sits at an elevation of around 600m.
The climate in Santiago is generally dry, receiving only about 350 mm of rain per year while the average maximum temperatures range from 15 degrees in winter to 30 degrees in summer. The city also experiences minimal wind. The San Ramon range stretches to the southeast and provides a beautiful backdrop to the city which is especially enchanting when covered in snow during winter. To the east of the city are the majestic Andes, with Cerro Plomo towering over the city at an elevation of 5,600m. However, cycling in Santiago is not for the faint of heart. The heavy traffic, pollution, buses, dogs, and various other hazards provide ample excuses to avoid riding in the city.
The good news is that outside the city itself, the region contains a variety of great roads, from flat to hilly and with various grades of climbs. In general, the road surfaces are very good. At the east side of the city and very close to it, you have great roads to the Andes Mountains.
Where to base yourself
If your only priority is cycling then it makes sense to try and stay on the east side of the city, as this gives quickest access to the best cycling.
Route examples
Climb to Farellones mountain village
GPX DownloadTerms of use reminder
This is probably the most popular ride and climb in Chile. Starting from “Mall Sport” on the east side of Santiago very close to the G21 road, it takes 33 kilometres and 1,600 metres of climbing to get to Farellones Mountain Village. The first 16 kilometres are spent warming up and then another 17 kilometres with 40 switchbacks. All the way there are amazing views of the magical Andes Mountains.
At switchback 15 you can find water. At after switchback 21 there is a small kiosk, where you can make a coffee stop, soft drinks, sandwiches, toilet and more. Once in Farellones, there are lots of places to stop for a rest, for example Challet Valuga Hotel, El Alemán de Farellones Restaurant, El Tata Cruz Restaurant and Taringuita Restaurant.
And on to Valle Nevado
If you have the energy, you can turn right at the 40th switchback and instead of going to Farellones, head to Valle Nevado. Be warned though, this involves an extra 14 km and 800m of climbing. Trees and plants almost disappear as you ride alongside big mountains of dust and rocks. You will see some small waterfalls of melting snow coming from the higher peaks. You get up to 3,000 metres above sea level and it feels like it. Go easy and don’t rush it!
Camino al Toyo/Cajón del Maipo
Hilly and windy road, going into the heart of the beautiful Maipo Canyon. You can start from “Las Vizcachas” and head to the mountains to “El Toyo” bridge. It’s around 45 kilometres out and back on a very quiet road with not many cars around.
Climb to Cerro San Cristóbal
There are three possible roads to climb to the top.
- La Pirámide Route (7 km): At the northern end of the Metropolitan Park, it is the route that has the least demanding roads, but it is also the longest, making it excellent for working on resistance.
- Pío Nono Route (5 km): For this road you have to be prepared for a steeper path full of switchbacks.
- Pedro de Valdivia Route (4,5 km): the most popular and busiest of the three, as it is less demanding than the Pío Nono route and shorter than the La Pirámide route. This route is shared by runners, cyclists and vehicles.
Other things to do while in Santiago
- Hike to the top of Cerro San Cristobal for great views of Santiago. If walking isn’t your thing, take a scenic gondola instead.
- Explore the trendy streets of Barrio Bellavista for coluorful houses adorned with graffiti, and a variety of eateries and bars—perfect for people-watching.
- Check out Plaza de Armas, a historic stone plaza dating back to 1541. There’s also the impressive neoclassical Catedral Metropolitana nearby.
- Take photos in front of the Palacio de la Moneda, Chile’s Presidential Palace. It’s a short walk from Plaza de Armas and has an important historical background as it’s where Chile’s army overthrew President Allende, marking the start of the next 17 years of military dictatorship.
Araucanía, Los Ríos and Los Lagos Regions (Lake District, Central and Southern Chile)
Around 700k to the south of Santiago, this is the start of Patagonia. You’ll find incredible landscapes and great roads along emerald lakes, wild rivers, smouldering volcanos, high mountains and lush forests. This natural beauty makes it a popular region for Chile cycling tours.
Where to base yourself
Pucón, Panguipulli and Puerto Varas are small but charming cities with a lot of hotels, cabins, restaurants. They all also have an adventure tourism vibe.
Pucón, in central Chile’s Lake District, is a town by Lake Villarrica, with a snowy volcano nearby. The area has varied landscapes, from lakeside beaches to rainforests. There are also hot springs in nearby valleys.
Panguipulli, 75 kilometres to the south of Pucón, is situated by Lake Panguipulli with glaciers that feed the lake. The area is surrounded by other lakes like Calafquén and Pirihueico. To the northeast, Villarrica National Park has the Villarrica and Quetrupillán Volcanoes, as well as the Geométricas hot springs. Going southeast from the town, you’ll find the Huilo-Huilo Reserve, famous for its rainforest and stunning waterfalls.
Puerto Varas is further south again, lying 230 kilometres south of Panguipulli. It sits on Lake Llanquihue’s southwestern shores, offering breathtaking views of the active Osorno Volcano and Calbuco Volcano. The town has notable German-style architecture that reflects its colonial past.
Route examples
Pucón to Paso Mamuil Malal (Argentine border post)
GPX DownloadTerms of use reminder
A long 77 kilometre uphill takes you to the Chile/Argentina border, passing small villages and lots of green vegetation. In the last kilometres before getting to the border you will see big Araucarias, a typical unique tree from the Patagonia (more info here). In the background you will also see Volcán Lanin (Argentina). Once on the summit, just turn back and ride the same road to Pucón!
Panquipulli to Puerto Fuy and back
GPX DownloadTerms of use reminder
Another incredibly hilly road, with lots of climbing in store! There are great views of the Panguipulli Lake as well as the Mocho and Choshuenco volcanoes. You’ll also ride beside the Fuy river and there are big forests along the road. In Puerto Fuy you can stop at a nice coffee or grab a bite to eat at a restaurant, it’s based just next to the beautiful Pirehueico Lake. In Panguipulli, don’t miss La Felsinea, one of my favourite coffee stops, you can also grab a sandwich from here.
Lago Ranco Lake (full turnaround)
GPX DownloadTerms of use reminder
This is an incredible hilly road. The route is around 115 kilometres with 1500m of climbing. There is different natural scenery along the road, including big trees, nice views of the Ranco Lake and country side. The main cities are Futrono to the north, and Lago Ranco (as the name of the lake), to the south. You can find coffee stops and grocery stores.
Other things to do while in Chile’s Lake District
- Outdoors activities such as hiking and skiing, zip-lining and exploring geothermic pools.
- Hiking in Huerquehue National Park or Villarrica National Park
Events
This region is home to the Gran Fondo Volcán Osorno, Giro del Lago and Gran Prix Lago Ranco. More info below!
Carretera Austral (Southern Chile)
Note: this is a gravel road and it’s rough. Not recommended for road bikes.
As the name suggests, the Carretera Austral, also known as the Southern Highway or Chile’s Route 7, is not a region, but rather a 1,208 km road. It was built to connect remote frontier communities in Chilean Patagonia. The road took 10,000 men to build it, many of whom lost their lives doing so, yet today only about 100,000 people live along the route.
The 1,000 kilometre route is almost entirely uninhabited and takes you through a wilderness of smoking volcanoes, fjords, whitewater rapids and grazing guanacos (which are like llamas). This is the place for a cycling adventure in Chile!
It’s these extreme landscapes that have led to the Carretera Austral becoming what is probably Chile’s most famous cycling route. But it is not to be undertaken lightly. An estimated 50% of the route is on paved roads, but the route includes long sections of unpaved road, so you need to be confident cycling on gravel and expect to encounter deep potholes, tricky ascents and descents. It’s likely you’ll also have the odd landslide to deal with – plus the ever-changing weather which, this far south, can include fierce headwinds and extreme cold.
Cycling the Carretera Austral is one of South America’s classic cycling routes, but it is the preserve of experienced cyclists and adventurers. By way of example, the only bike repair shop after Puerto Montt is in Coyhaique, about halfway in!
The full route starts in Puerto Montt and finishes in the tiny Villa O’Higgins (it’s recommended to ride north to south due to the prevailing winds). For those that are up to it, there’s an extremely tough one day route over the border crossing to El Chaltén in Argentina. For those that don’t fancy the border pass, it’s time to board a bus or combination of bus, flight and ferry.
Highlights of the route include
- Parque Nacional Pumalin, which is home to rainforests and is particularly known for its alerce trees, some of which are more than 3,000 years old. You’ll also find snow-covered mountains, volcanoes, lakes and waterfalls.
- Futaleufu with world-class whitewater rafting.
- Puyuhuapi, with its fantastic location on the edge of a fjord and home to gorgeous hot springs too. If you’ve got time, nearby is Parque Nacional Queulat with its famous hanging glacier which looks like its suspended from a cliff face.
- Venisquero Colgante glacier in Paruqe Nacional Queulat.
- Lago General Carrera, with its incredible blue waters and “marble cathedra” caves.
The spectacular landscapes of the General Carrera Lake
Want help organising your Chile cycling trip?
We’ve been planning cycling holidays in Chile since 2016 and would love to help you plan yours.
Find out more and contact us via our website.
Exclusive offer: use the code below and get 10% discount on any services you book with Chile Rides!
What are the key cycling events in Chile?
The main road cycling events in Chile are held in October and November each year.
Gran Fondo Fin del Mundo
Location
From small town “Panimavida” (Región del Maule) to Pehuenche Pass (Chile/Argentina border)
Route
153 km long race with 3400m of climbing. Probably the most beautiful road in Chile, starting with some 100K of false flat along countryside, a river and big green areas and then lots of hills and ending on big mountains close to the border with Argentina.
Cyclists taking part
Pro and expert/advanced amateurs
Month usually held
October (suspended for 2023 due to road damage at the final 50 kms)
More info
https://granfondofindelmundo.cl/
Gran Prix Lago Ranco
Location
Futrono, Región de los Ríos
Route
115 km and 1300m of climbing. The race is the full turnaround to Ranco Lake. Mainly ups and downs and long flat and false flat sections. Great views of the lake, big forests along the road.
Cyclists taking part
Pro, expert/advanced/intermediate amateurs
Month usually held
November
More info
https://www.grandprixlagoranco.cl/
Giro del Lago
Location
Puerto Varas, Región de Los Lagos
Route
GPX DownloadTerms of use reminder
The route takes you on a full or half circuit of Llanquihue Lake. 170km and 1,600m of climbing for the complete circuit. Just like GP Lago Ranco, the route undulates a lot and also contains long flat and false flat sections. There are great views of the lake, big forests and nice countryside along the road.
Cyclists taking part
Pro, expert/advanced/intermediate amateurs
Month usually held
November
More info
https://www.instagram.com/girodellago/?hl=es
Desafío Trek
Location
Santiago, start a Mall Sport
Route
One of the most popular races in Chile. Up to 3000 people attend each year to hit the big Andes Mountains. Since it has 4 available distances and the option to race with a road or mountain bike, there are lots of options for cyclists of different levels and abilities to take part.
Cyclists taking part
Pro, expert/advanced/intermediate amateurs
Month usually held
November
More info
Gran Fondo Volcán Osorno
Location
Puerto Varas, Región de Los Lagos
Route
128km with 2,700m of climbing. The route goes from Puerto Varas to Frutillar, Puerto Octay along the Llanquihue Lake ending with a 12km climb with 1,100m elevation gain towards the great Volcán Osorno.
Cyclists taking part
Pro, expert/advanced/intermediate amateurs
Month usually held
December
More info
https://www.conquistachile.cl/conquista-chile/gran-fondo-volcan-osorno/
What are the best hotels and accommodation options for cyclists in Chile?
Remember to double-check accommodation bike storage arrangements (and any other services you need) before booking as policies often change.
In Chile there are lots of hotels at many different budgets. In general, cyclists are always welcome but there are no cyclists specific hotels. Below are a mixture of hotels I’ve stayed at, been recommended or found and liked the look of.
San Pedro de Atacama (Región Antofagasta)
Valparaíso Region (Zapallar area)
Hotel Parque Laguna de Zapallar
Santiago
Santiago offers a wide variety of accommodation options, ranging from luxurious 5-star hotels to budget-friendly 1-star hostels. The most desirable areas to stay in are the north-eastern suburbs of Las Condes, Vitacura, and Lo Barnechea, which are conveniently located near the best rides too. Las Condes, in particular, features the primary business district along with numerous high-quality hotels and restaurants.
The following hotels are in these areas:
Pucón (Araucanía Region)
Pucón is one of the tourist hubs of southern Chile. Just next to Villarica lake and volcano, there are hotels, resorts and cabins for all budgets. The iconic ride starts from Pucón and takes you up to the Mamui Malal Border Pass with 76 km of uphill (starting with a friendly gradient). A lot of other outdoor activities are also available with agencies and operators; rafting, kayaking, trekking and more. There’s also great food and shopping on offer.
Panguipulli (Los Ríos Region)
Panguipulli is also a popular places in in Southern Chile. It’s still not that developed so hotel accommodations and restaurants are limited.
From Panguipulli you can start riding to Puerto Fuy and back (check favourite rides above). Ther are great views along the road of Panguipulli Lake, Fuy River, Choschuenco and Mocho volcanos.
Puerto Varas (Los Lagos Region)
As for Pucón, it’s a very important hub for visitors, with lots of hotels and restaurants. Puerto Varas is just next to Llanquihue Lake and has the spectacular Osorno volcano as its background. The best ride is the complete turn around to the lake; 170km and 1,700m of climbing
Want help organising your Chile cycling trip?
We’ve been planning cycling holidays in Chile since 2016 and would love to help you plan yours.
Find out more and contact us via our website.
Exclusive offer: use the code below and get 10% discount on any services you book with Chile Rides!
Are there places for bike hire/bike shops in Chile?
Prices, services and bike brands often change. Please let us know if anything is incorrect.
Road bike rental is limited anywhere in Chile. I have four road bikes in different sizes that I rent my guests.
As for Chile’s bike shops, you’ll find lots in Santiago, but they are less common in other areas. The prices of bike parts are high because of the 19% tax on all imported goods. In more remote areas of Chile it can also be difficult to find high-end spare parts for road bikes.
San Pedro de Atacama (Antofagasta Region)
Cicles Atacama, Pasaje Laskar 1-b
Santiago
Bike Authority, Av. Las Condes 12461, Local 11, Las Condes
Extreme Zone, Av. Padre Hurtado 1278, Vitacura
Rock and Road, Av. Luis Pasteur 5771, Vitacura
Eurobike, Av. José Alcalde Délano 10682, Local 25, Lo Barnechea
Valparaíso Region
Bicicletas Silva, Los Alerces 1641, Zapallar
Pucón (Araucanía Region)
Free Ride Pucón (MTB oriented), General Urrutia 484, Pucón
Puerto Varas (Los Lagos Region)
Rueda al Sur, La Paz 535, Puerto Varas
Black Line, San Francisco 1017, Puerto Varas
Organised cycling tours in Chile
While Chile is an amazing place to ride a bike, it’s also a huge country with wild landscapes and low population density. The logistics of planning a cycling tour in Chile can be complicated for an outsider. Outside the bikepacking community, cyclists on holiday here are often keen to have some back up in the form of a cycling tour company that can help organise their bike trip.
Chile Rides offer you customised rides for single cyclists or groups of up to 15 cyclists, on a guide-only basis.
Our main goal is to have fun, enjoy and show the great roads and landscapes of our country on the bike. I treat every customer as a friend and I always try my best to give our guests the best possible experience.
Our most popular ride is a 1-day bike tour from Santiago to Portillo. It’s a 165 kilometre route with 3,700m of climbing. Starting at 8am, we include three or four stops along the road to eat and rest. At around 4pm we get to Hotel Portillo for a nice hot shower, late lunch and walk to see the great scenery (Laguna del Inca). We then head back to Santiago by bus.
Get in touch and we will do our best to help! Use code CHILERIDES when you book with us and we’ll give you 10% discount on any services you book.
Want help organising your Chile cycling trip?
We’ve been planning cycling holidays in Chile since 2016 and would love to help you plan yours.
Find out more and contact us via our website.
Exclusive offer: use the code below and get 10% discount on any services you book with Chile Rides!
When to visit Chile?
As a general guide, the best months to visit Chile are between November and March. However, Chile is such a long country that there are significant regional differences:
In the north temperatures are mild and warm almost all year long although winter (May-August), while dry and clear, can get cold (down to -15 degrees). Summer (December to March) is warmer but often much wetter and if you want to ride the salt flats they can be impassible by bike during this time.
In the centre of the country, spring and summer time (September to March) are better for riding (short sleeves are usually fine, but always bring arm warmers and a light vest just in case).
In the south the best time to visit is October to March; the weather is colder and windier and rainier from April to September. You’ll still want long sleeve jersey, bib tights or knee warmers, base layer and jacket even in summer!
Any tips for cycling Chile?
Rules of the road
No cyclists are allowed on highways.
The use of rear light and helmet is mandatory.
Always ride on the right of the road and ride in one or two columns of cyclists.
Kit
Your essential kit that will be fine for almost any time of the year; short sleeve jersey, base layer, bib shorts, vest or jacket, arm warmers, long and short finger gloves. Of course if you’re riding in the far south or in winter, you will need more warm weather gear.
Take a look at this packing list for further useful packing suggestions.
Food
You will find always small kiosks and grocery stores during a ride. In very remote areas, you’ll of course need to ensure you’re as self-sufficient as possible especially if bikepacking or on a multi-day ride.
Other tips
Always carry some cash when biking in Chile.
Not everybody speaks English but people are very friendly in general so you will find the way to communicate!
While in Chile, make sure you try the empanadas and excellent sea food.
How to get to Chile?
Santiago SCL Airport is the only international airport in Chile.
Within the country, there are domestics flights from SCL in Santiago. Also, by bus from the main station “Terminal Sur”.
Uber is very popular and works really well.
Planning on travelling with your bike? Don’t miss this article for useful tips.
How can cyclists find out more about Chile Rides?
If you’re planning a cycling holiday to Chile, get in touch with us. We would love to help you with anything from bike hire to a one day guided ride to a multi day cycling holiday through Chile (we work on a guide-only basis).
Use code CHILERIDES when you book with us and we’ll give you 10% discount on any services you book.
Got a question for Chile Rides?
Fill out this form and Chile Rides will reply (within 24 hours wherever they possibly can!)
Got a question for José?
Fill out this form and we will send it to José. We aim to get you an answer within 24 hours wherever possible!
The contents of this website are provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on it. You should carry out your own due diligence and risk assessments and take professional advice. Views expressed by interviewees or other users of this website do not necessarily represent our views. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our website is accurate, complete or up to date. If you use any information or content on this website, download from, or otherwise obtain content or services through our website, it is entirely at your own discretion and risk. Epic Road Rides Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the information and content on this website. Find out more here.
Want help organising your Chile cycling trip?
We’ve been planning cycling holidays in Chile since 2016 and would love to help you plan yours.
Find out more and contact us via our website.
Exclusive offer: use the code below and get 10% discount on any services you book with Chile Rides!