The Lake District

A Mediterranean climate has resulted in an endless array of orchards and vineyards. The cyclists will quickly find themselves pedalling through the Colchagua Valley, the country’s largest wine region. The area’s loamy soil, abundant sunshine, dry air and cool nights produce some of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere. After sampling a few of these delicious wines, the riders will head west across the rolling hills towards the Pacific coast.

The next few days see the cyclists heading south while hugging Chile’s rugged western coast. The route takes them through small oceanfront villages where they can stop to enjoy a wide variety of local seafood specialties. The scenery alternates between quiet sandy beaches and wild surf, waves crashing over the jagged rocks. The pace of life is slow here – oxen still pull carts of papayas and potatoes to market. The coastal city of Concepcion was once the Spanish Empire’s southernmost fortified outposts and is the site for the next rest day. Periodically ravaged by earthquakes, this industrial city is home to more than a dozen universities. Interested riders can take a half-day tour out to the nearby Mina Chiflon del Diablo (Devil’s Whistle Mine). Here ex-miners will take them down into a naturally ventilated undersea mine and out to a coalface 50 m under the ocean.

The route now heads back inland over rolling hills bound for the spectacular Lake District – an area featuring dozens of glacial lakes, looming, snow capped volcanoes, rushing rivers, tranquil forests, hidden vineyards, quaint German-style inns and manicured lawns. This region is also home to the Mapuche (People of the Land), Chile’s largest indigenous group. They were the first and only group in South America to have their independence legally recognized. Riders will enjoy a rest day in Villarrica, a quaint town on the shores of Lago Villarrica. Here they will have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, visit the tourist destination of Pucon or even mountain bike down foreboding Volcan Villarica.

The last stages of the section take the cyclists south past numerous beautiful lakes, national parks and nature reserves, all framed in the background by the majestic Andes. The route passes through the rustic town of Puerto Octay, perched scenically on the shores of Lago Llanquihue. One of the oldest towns settled by German immigrants, the historic homes are worth exploring. The riders will skirt the shores of the lake, taking in the views across the water of the menacing volcanoes, Osorno and Calbuco, before pulling into the Patagonian gateway town of Puerto Montt.

Highlights

• Santa Cruz & the renowned Colchaqua Valley wine region
• Sampling seafood along Chile's southern Pacific coastline
• Backroads and river crossings
• Lakeside views of Osorno and other volcanoes