Cycling in Chile's Lake District

This region is another cyclist’s dream, plenty of spectacular scenery, including mountains, volcanoes and the many bright blue lakes, which give the region its name. There are too many options here, with plenty of suitable routes and trails, and it really depends on how much time you have and how fit you are as to which the best towns to base yourself are or which the best routes to follow are. Some of the regions highlights are the Parque National Alcerce Andino, for one of the world’s oldest rainforests, the trees forming a cathedral like canopy; Parque National Vincente Perez Rosales (Chile’s first national park); the Volcan Osorno, for the hardened lava fields, the snow fields, the huge waterfalls and hot springs nestled in its sides; and the glassy expanse of Lago Llanquihue along fjord like terrain. It’s most likely that you’ll start your journey in coastal city, Puerto Montt, where there is a small airport. There are plenty of small towns dotting the region, many of them have the German looking architecture of the immigrants who settled here making it look quite a lot like Switzerland, so you’ll be able to sleep and eat comfortably if you prefer.