Explore the best cycling and bike touring routes in Raleigh, from scenic greenways to wooded trails and smooth city rides—perfect for a vacation on two wheels.
WHAT ARE THE MOST SCENIC CYCLING ROUTES IN SOUTH AMERICA?
South America offers some of the most breathtaking cycling routes in the world, blending challenging climbs, remote wilderness, and vibrant cultures. From Colombia’s legendary high-altitude passes to Patagonia’s windswept highways, the continent is a paradise for cyclists who crave both adventure and scenery. Riders can expect diverse landscapes—towering volcanoes, salt flats, lush jungles, and endless coastlines—making every journey unforgettable. This article explores the most scenic cycling routes across South America, highlighting their unique features, challenges, and tips for making the most of each ride.
Iconic Andean routes
The Andes mountain range stretches nearly the entire length of South America, providing cyclists with some of the most dramatic landscapes and challenging climbs on Earth. From Colombia’s coffee-growing hills to Bolivia’s surreal altiplano, these routes combine natural beauty with cultural immersion.
Alto de Letras, Colombia
Known as the longest climb in the world, the Alto de Letras is a must for ambitious cyclists. Stretching over 80 kilometers with more than 3,600 meters of elevation gain, it takes riders from tropical valleys to misty Andean peaks. Along the way, cyclists pass coffee plantations, waterfalls, and small villages that showcase Colombia’s hospitality.
Starting point: Mariquita.
Summit elevation: over 3,600 meters.
Best season: dry months (December–March).
Death Road, Bolivia
The infamous “Camino de la Muerte” outside La Paz is both feared and celebrated. Today, it has become a popular cycling adventure route, offering jaw-dropping views of cliffs, waterfalls, and lush jungle transitions. While once considered the most dangerous road in the world, safety measures and guided tours now allow riders to experience it with reduced risk.
The thrill of descending from the Andean highlands into the Amazon basin makes this one of the most unique rides on the continent.
Paso de los Libertadores, Chile–Argentina
Connecting Santiago with Mendoza, this Andean pass is famous for its winding switchbacks, known as “Los Caracoles.” The climb offers dramatic mountain scenery, snowcapped peaks, and a sense of achievement that comes with crossing an international border by bike.
Altitude: over 3,200 meters at the border crossing.
Highlight: endless switchbacks that test both endurance and bike handling.
Best time: summer months (December–March).
The Andes represent the heart of South American cycling, combining high-altitude challenges with unrivaled beauty and cultural depth.
Coastal and jungle adventures
Beyond the mountains, South America’s coastlines and rainforests offer cyclists a completely different but equally rewarding set of experiences. From Pacific coastal roads to Amazon jungle trails, these routes emphasize biodiversity, cultural encounters, and scenic variety.
Carretera de la Costa, Peru
Peru’s coastal highway connects Lima with cities like Trujillo and Piura, offering long stretches of ocean views alongside desert cliffs. Riders experience dramatic contrasts: crashing Pacific waves on one side and barren sand dunes on the other. Local seafood stops add a cultural and culinary reward along the journey.
Length: over 1,300 kilometers of coastal riding.
Best for: endurance riders seeking scenic solitude.
Unique feature: combination of desert and ocean landscapes.
Amazon Basin trails, Brazil
Cycling in the Amazon is not for the faint-hearted, but for adventure seekers, it offers an unmatched experience. Dirt tracks weave through dense rainforest, connecting remote villages and revealing wildlife at every turn. While infrastructure is limited, guided tours provide safer access to these routes.
The combination of lush greenery, exotic sounds, and cultural encounters with indigenous communities makes this a profoundly immersive ride.
Costa Verde, Brazil
Stretching between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the Costa Verde route offers coastal cycling with lush jungle backdrops. Riders encounter charming fishing villages, pristine beaches, and colonial towns like Paraty, all while pedaling through humid but stunning environments.
Highlights: beaches, rainforests, and historic towns.
Ideal for: cyclists seeking culture as well as scenery.
Best season: dry winter months (June–September).
Coastal and jungle routes balance the intensity of mountain climbs with lush, scenic rides that showcase South America’s ecological diversity.
Southern wilderness and Patagonia
For cyclists drawn to raw wilderness and rugged beauty, Patagonia and southern South America deliver some of the most iconic routes on the continent. Vast landscapes, strong winds, and remote roads define the experience, rewarding those who embrace the challenge.
Carretera Austral, Chile
The Carretera Austral is perhaps South America’s ultimate cycling adventure. Stretching over 1,200 kilometers through Chilean Patagonia, it winds past glaciers, fjords, forests, and rivers. The route is mostly gravel, demanding resilience and self-sufficiency, but the scenery is unparalleled.
Length: 1,247 kilometers.
Highlights: Cerro Castillo, Queulat National Park, and General Carrera Lake.
Best season: November–March (Patagonian summer).
Ruta 40, Argentina
Argentina’s legendary Ruta 40 runs nearly the entire length of the country, from Bolivia to Patagonia. The southern sections are the most scenic, passing through windswept plains, turquoise lakes, and towering peaks like Mount Fitz Roy. Strong winds and isolation add to the challenge.
For many cyclists, Ruta 40 represents the ultimate test of endurance in South America, combining sheer distance with dramatic scenery.
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina–Chile
At the southern tip of the continent lies Tierra del Fuego, a land of glaciers, fjords, and subpolar forests. Cycling here is about remoteness and raw nature. Routes from Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, provide unforgettable journeys to the “end of the world.”
Highlights: Ushuaia, Beagle Channel, and snowy peaks.
Unique experience: riding at the southernmost point accessible by road.
Best time: December–February.
Patagonia’s wild routes embody the essence of adventure cycling—where unpredictable weather, solitude, and spectacular scenery converge.
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