Patagonia singletracks & Hot Springs MTB Tour

Soak in lava hotsprings after biking chile patagonia

the most concentrated aguas termales area in the world

Chile has almost 300 hotsprings, with the vast majority of these being concentrated in the northern Patagonia area.  This all-inclusive guided bike tour will guide you to picture perfect lava hot springs, including one that is widely known as the most picturesque in the whole of South America.

hot springs Mtb tour details:

• Luxurious all-inclusive (Pedal Chile only offers all-inclusive tours)

• November to early April. We only operate during the Chilean spring, summer and fall. The rest of the year is cold and snowy

5 WORLD CLASS geothermal SPRINGS

• Two located in national parks, right on the side of an active volcano. Talk about fresh geothermal spring water.

• One is located in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

• Two are off the beaten path and are considered “local specials”.

Four MTB rides that feature both single and double track (about 12-15 miles each)

• Bike down an active volcano (13 miles)

• MTB through a biological reserve (approx 12 miles)

• Single track a volcano with twin peaks that goes through 2 nature reserves (15 miles)

• Epic single-track outside of Pucón. Flow-style + technical sections (approx 15 miles)

  • Tour includes use of the full suspension Giant Trance 2 (27.5) bike

This hot-spring bike tour is as classic of an active-vacation as you get.  Experiencing the beauty of nature from the seat of a bike, while using your own human spirit to move you to some of the best hot springs in the world. We will start out each day (excluding arrival day, departure day, and rest day) with a 12-15 mile epic single-track ride, followed by a dip in a world-class hot spring. After, it’s time for delicious cuisine, amazing black sand beaches, and the best local beer south of the U.S. border.

First Day: arrive in valdivia

Today is Sunday, otherwise known as the first day of your tour. You will fly into the Valdivia Airport, and we will be waiting for your arrival. We will drop you off at a five-star hotel located right on the river walk, and in the center of the city. Once you’ve had a chance to settle-in, we will take you to the best microbrewery in South America, and show you around.

Valdivia is known for:

• Universities: Even though Valdivia has a population under 150,000 people this city has 9 universities. Universidad Austral de Chile is the most famous, and has a 25-acre botanical garden that displays nearly 1000 different species of plants and trees.

• Microbreweries: Nine colleges might be one of the main reasons that this small city is home to the best craft beer scene in all of Chile.

• Sea lions: Valdivia is home to the only fresh water sea lion colony on the planet. The sea lions sun bath right on the river walk.

No hot springs today or MTB ride.

Second day: HOT SPRING AND BIKE RIDE IN A BIOLOGICAL RESERVE

Today we will drive 2-hours to a biological reserve located close to the Chile/Argentina border. This hot-spring is located in the heart of the temperate Patagonian Rainforest. After the soak we will all enjoy a cold beer at the microbrewery, which also happens to be located in this protected habitat. Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve is also home to the smallest species of deer in the world. The Pudú deer is barely bigger than a rabbit.

Tonight you will enjoy luxurious lodging in a Lord of the Ring style Cabin/hotel.

• Today's ride: Several amazing trails that wind through the biological reserve that were created for this ecotourism paradise (12 miles or so)

• Lodging location: Luxurious lodging close to the reserve

• Dinner: Food and drinks at the Cervecería Petermann (Does Chile even have craft beer? Yes. If you would like more info please read our Chilean Craft Beer article.

• Hot spring: Private spring located in the reserve (no pictures, since it’s private )

Pudú - Smallest deer in the world

• The northern pudus are the smallest deer in the world.

• Southern pudus are the 2nd smallest deer on the planet.

  • Stand ~ 12 inches to shoulder height and weigh 15 - 20 lbs.

• They are only found in humid temperate rainforests (Valdvivian) that occupy parts of both Chile &/or Argentina and along the Chilean Coast Range.

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature has designated this deer as near threatened status

Source: Robidoux, M. 2014. "Pudu puda" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pudu_puda/

Third Day: SOAK IN THE world famous Termas Geométricas

Today we drive to the town of Coñaripe on the shore of a glacier-fed lake that is surrounded by the Andes Mountains and active volcanoes. This picture perfect town is home to over a dozen hot springs, including the Termas Geométricas, which ranks on every list of: “top 10 must see hot springs in the world”.

After the bike ride and soak, we will shuttle back to the lakeside lodging for traditional Chilean barbecue, and enjoy the views from the black sand beach.

• Today's ride: About a 15 mile MTB trail with 6 miles of climbing. This trail will be the most challenging of the four, but features amazing views of four volcanoes, glacigenic lakes, and you can see into Argentina if the weather is good. Feel free to tackle the uphill sections today……no MTB ride tomorrow.

• Lodging location: Lakeside in Coñaripe

• Dinner: Chilean asado (what is Chilean food? Check out our article)

• Hot spring: Soaking and relaxing in the Termas Geométricas. This spring features almost twenty slate pools carved out of an Andean canyon right in the middle of a temperate rainforest. If you want to do some cold plunging, your in luck. There are two waterfalls and three cold plunge pools.

2 main types of thermal-springs

1. Filtration springs: Rainwater filters down into the Earth following paths of fractures and fault lines. This same water slowly returns to the surface through fault lines in rock formations as naturally heated water. Filtration type springs are usually found in higher elevation springs.

2. Primary springs: Generally found in areas of volcanic activity and contain minerals and elements produced by volcanoes. A subsurface magma reservoir will create a steam and hot water reservoir. This water now has a lower density and rises through fissures and cracks in the ground. When it reaches the surface it spouts out in the form of hotsprings, geysers, and fumaroles.

thermal waters temperature of northern patagonia

A 2014 study looked at chemical components of the thermal springs in the area. The reservoir temperature range between 176 - 285 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the surface spring water ranges from about 80 - 170 degrees Fahrenheit. This study also noted that the thermal water is slightly alkaline with a geochemical composition that is sodium dominated. *

*Source: Ruiz, Bárbara & Morata, Diego. (2016). Hydrogeochemical characterization of thermal springs, Los Lagos, Chile.

 fourth day: RUSTIC natural HOT SPRING IN a national park

Today you will sleep in and enjoy a stroll through the quant town of Coñaripe. After, we will shuttle to one of the most natural-springs you have ever seen. This rustic, non-touristy local gem of a hot-spring is located in a national park. However, this particular one has very limited hours, so we will use today as a pure relaxation day. No MTBing, but plenty of soaking and relaxing.

After the the soak, we will shuttle about 40 minutes to the beautiful city of Villarrica. Here you will have amazing views of the most active volcano in South America, while being on the banks of yet another glacier-fed lake.

• Today's ride: No riding. Time for relaxation on the beach and natural lava spring. You will even have time for some mindfulness mediation. Check out our blog “meditation made simple” if you would like some advice.

• Lodging location: Lakeside lodging in Villarrica

• Dinner: Local spot with authentic Mapuche food

• Hot spring: Rustic hot-spring with a waterfall in protected wilderness.

 fifth day: LOCALS FAVORITE HOT SPRING IN PUCoN chile

You will be spending two days in Pucon, which is the entry point to Volcán Villarrica and has access to over 40 hot springs. Pucón is situated on Lake Villarrica, and has some of the finest black sand beaches you will ever see.

After the bike ride, we will all shuttle back to Pucón, and drop you off at your luxurious lodging. You will be within walking distances to dozens of restaurants, bars, beaches, hiking trails, and so much more.

• Today's ride: MTB down an active volcano in a national park (13 miles)! You will shuttle to the top and enjoy amazing views before beginning the 13 mile decent. This ride takes you through old lava tubes and 3 different types of forests, all while being on the side of the most active volcano in Chile. Don’t let his ride scare you. While it might sound intense, this is a classic conical volcano, which means it’s not insanely steep.

• Lodging location: Lodging in Pucón

• Dinner: Dozens of options

• Hot spring: Local favorite about 30 minutes drive from your lodging

sixth day: ONE MORE DAY IN PUCoN chile

Since you will be spending two days in Pucón, feel free to sleep in and relax in the morning, you’re on vacation! Today we will drive about 20 minutes to my personal favorite hot spring in the Pucón area, which is low key and surround by nature.

• Today's ride: Epic single-track ride outside of town. This ride is about 13 -15 miles of single-track with both flow-style and technical sections. This trails goes through diverse volcanic and forested terrain, while passing through old lava tubes.

• Lodging location: Same luxurious lodging in Pucon

• Dinner: We will take you to our favorite restaurant in town and finish the trip with some more BBQ

• Hot spring: Local hot spring that is only 25 minutes from the city center

seventh day: DEPARTURE DAY

Unfortunately, this is the end of your mountain biking getaway. We will depart from Pucón and drop you off at the airport near Valdivia. This drive is around one hour and twenty minutes. We will say a heartfelt goodbye and will plan the departure based on your flight departure time.

Contact us for more info, tour dates, & group pricing