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Best cycling destinations in South America

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Sacred Valley
Ancient terraces echoing timeless Andean rhythms
8.3
Cyclists here ride past Inca terraces and colonial villages beneath towering Andean peaks. The Maras salt pans, carved into a hillside since pre-Columbian times, make a popular stop. Thin air above 2,800 metres slows even experienced riders on the valley's climbs. Markets in towns like Pisac sell fresh produce and textiles to passing cyclists.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Stroll through Pisac market, shop woven textiles
  • 🗿 Explore Ollantaytambo ruins, climb fortress walls
  • 🏔️ Hike to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail
Florianopolis
Beaches, lagoons and island adventure
6.8
Florianopolis sits on an island laced with hilly roads connecting more than 40 beaches. Riders can pedal from the centre to surf towns like Lagoa da Conceicao in under an hour. Steep climbs through Atlantic forest reward with ocean views from several lookouts. Dunes near Joaquina Beach offer a change of terrain for mountain bikers.
Highlights:
  • 🦐 Eat fresh seafood at sunset in Santo Antônio de Lisboa
  • 🌅 Walk the wooden trails above the Lagoa da Conceição dunes
  • 🏄‍♀️ Swim and surf at Praia Mole’s scenic coastline
San Carlos de Bariloche
Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland
7.4
The Circuito Chico loops past turquoise lakes and dense forest just outside Bariloche. Cyclists can ride the Route of Seven Lakes further south towards El Bolson through classic Patagonian scenery. Chocolate shops in town cater to riders refuelling after a day in the saddle. Snow-capped Andean peaks frame nearly every road around the lake district.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore the Bavarian-style Centro Cívico and museums
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Nahuel Huapi National Park
  • 🚡 Take a cable car to Cerro Otto for panoramic views
Mendoza
Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss
7.2
Cyclists in Mendoza pedal flat, tree-lined roads through Argentina's largest wine region. Bike hire shops in Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo let riders hop between wineries at their own pace. The Andes rise dramatically to the west, visible from nearly every vineyard. Malbec tastings at family-run bodegas make for an easy stop between rides.
Highlights:
  • 🍇 Join a tasting at a traditional Mendoza bodega
  • 🏔️ Drive along the scenic Route of the Andes to Aconcagua
  • 🍷 Tour vineyards and sample Malbec in the heart of wine country
Patagonia
Untamed Beauty at the End of the World
8.3
Ruta 40 stretches across Patagonia's windswept steppe, testing cyclists with some of South America's strongest crosswinds. Guanacos and rheas are a common sight along the empty gravel stretches. Glaciers and jagged Andean peaks rise abruptly from the flat grassland near El Chalten. Small roadside settlements offer shelter across long stretches with little else around.
Highlights:
  • 🐧 Explore the diverse wildlife on Peninsula Valdés
  • ❄️ Witness the massive Perito Moreno Glacier up close
  • 🥾 Hike the legendary trails of Torres del Paine National Park
Atacama Desert
Endless dunes under starlit desert skies
Cyclists in the Atacama ride gravel roads across some of the driest, highest terrain on Earth. Valle de la Luna's eroded salt formations resemble a lunar landscape near San Pedro de Atacama. Thin air above 2,400 metres makes even flat stretches feel demanding. Salt flats and volcanic peaks frame nearly every route through the desert.
Highlights:
  • 🗻 Hike to El Tatio geysers before sunrise
  • ✨ Stargaze from San Pedro observatory, record constellations
  • 🌄 Explore Valle de la Luna during golden hour
Carretera Austral
Endless Patagonian horizons under starlit skies
The Carretera Austral runs 1,240 kilometres through Chilean Patagonia, roughly half paved and half gravel. Riders pass glaciers, fjords and dense rainforest along one of the world's most celebrated cycling routes. The Queulat climb winds through 33 curves past hanging glaciers. Small villages along the road offer the main services across long, remote stretches.
Highlights:
  • 🏙️ Explore Valdivia's historic port and night markets
  • 🥾 Hike to the turquoise waters of Cueva del Milodón
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic Carretera Austral to coastal villages
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