Patagonia: Volcanoes & Monkey Puzzles
Araucania & the Lakes, Chile & Argentina · Apr 29, 2026
A 1,112 kilometre point-to-point ride through the heart of Chilean Patagonia, from the lakes and valleys of the south up into the volcanic Araucania. Around half is unpaved, linking loose valley gravel, soft volcanic sand, and a rough border crossing into Argentina through ancient monkey puzzle forest. It is remote, physical, and a long way from the nearest bike shop.
Volcanoes and Monkey Puzzles is a 1,112 kilometre point-to-point bikepacking route through the heart of Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia, running north from the Lakes Region up into the volcanic Araucania. It strings together sections of the Patagonia Beer Trail, the Dirt Touring Araucania network, and a seldom-ridden border crossing into Argentina published by Mark Watson at High Lux Photo, with a little over half the distance on dirt. Expect roughly 16,000 metres of climbing and give yourself around three weeks. This is a big, committing ride for an experienced bikepacker, a long way from services.
Jeff and Ainsley rode it over 22 days on loaded gravel bikes, testing a set of carbon wheels against the worst Patagonia could throw at them. Read the full write-up here.
The riding is relentless and varied. Out of the Puelo Valley the gravel quickly turns to loose rock and washboard, and the crux comes at the border: around twenty kilometres of steep, rocky singletrack through Lago Puelo National Park that is as much hike-a-bike as riding, with the rule that you clear both countries the same day. Further north the Araucania serves up soft volcanic sand that rides like a cyclocross course and long climbs past old-growth monkey puzzle trees. Run the widest tires your frame allows, keep pressures low, and be honest about your fitness. A rugged gravel or adventure bike with plus-tire clearance and tough tires is the right tool here.
This is remote country and the logistics are the hard part. Resupply towns sit far apart, so carry more food than feels sensible and plan around the ferry crossings and border posts rather than assuming you can push through. Nights work best with a full camping setup, and you should be genuinely self-sufficient on repairs, because a mechanical here is not a quick shop visit. Carry spares you actually know how to fit, including spokes, and treat the weather as its own opponent. Summer, roughly December to March, gives the most reliable window.
Come strong and come prepared. If you want to build toward this, our bikepacking routes collect shorter trips to test your kit and legs first, and there is more South American riding in Colombia's Shores to Peaks.
