Argentina could actually be a cyclist's paradise. Landscapes that couldn't be more diverse and a flat topography make it ideal for this type of locomotion.
Nevertheless, a longer bike tour in Argentina is still an adventure for which you need some preparation - because there is a lack of bike paths, transport options, accommodation suitable for cyclists and, above all, good maps. But if you are willing to improvise, you will have a lot of fun on a tour through this country, especially if you own an all-terrain mountain bike or trekking bike.
General
Long-distance cycling tours have not yet become a mass sport in Argentina. Even today, in many areas, foreign cyclists are in the majority compared to Argentines. Unfortunately, this is also an expression of a lower appreciation of the wheel compared to Europe. It is perceived more as a short-haul vehicle for the city.
Nevertheless, as a cyclist, you can of course use the infrastructure for car drivers and bus travelers. However, a tent is almost compulsory, because hotels with parking spaces for cyclists are rare, at most in outskirts and smaller towns you can store your bike in a shed, for example, or take it into your room in lower-class hotels and family accommodations.
Long-distance cycle routes
There are no signposted long-distance cycle routes in Argentina. Therefore one is mostly dependent on normal roads. And this is where the main problem lies: The highways of Argentina are a real nightmare for cyclists, especially because of the truck traffic, which pays even less attention to cyclists than drivers. You are therefore well advised to find an alternative route - usually gravel. This also means that you will only be happy with a racing bike in a few areas in Argentina (e.g. the eastern pampas) - a spring-loaded mountain or trekking bike is more recommended.
Popular bike routes are:
- Quebrada de Humahuaca, a canyon in the extreme north of the country. Many cyclists go to Bolivia and Chile further.
- Valle Calchaquí in the northwest, a flat, charming mountain valley with many old colonial towns.
- Mountain bike tour Cordoba-Cosquín-Traslasierra in the Sierras de Cordoba, a fairly short route that is also often used in rallies. It is comparatively demanding because of the differences in altitude. She is also known for being a well-known singer and amateur cyclist Carlos "La Mona" Jiménez keeps fit on her.
Mountain bike & BMX
The mountain bike has also conquered the streets, but it is still not all that common as a piece of sports equipment. This is why there are few mountain bike trails that have been laid out. Most mountain bikers therefore have to be content with either the normal mountain trails or dirt roads. The same goes for BMX, even though Argentina is one of the "world powers" in this discipline with many riders among the world's best.
Established mountain bike trails is available in the following places (list is under construction and incomplete):
- Comodoro Rivadavia - with breathtaking views of the sea, but something for die-hard people because of the wind and the inclines
- Ushuaia - here there are mainly downhill trails that share the space with hiking trails (which you can also ride on)
- La Punta in Santiago del Estero, still largely unknown regional mecca for bikers, low to medium levels of difficulty, not too steep
- Quebrada del Condorito National Park with wonderful views of the valleys of the Sierras de Córdoba, but very bumpy and quite short
- Alta Gracia, a BMX and MTB metropolis from which several world-class riders come. There is also a fairly developed organized scene here.
- Villa Carlos Paz, there are some laid out MTB trails to the southwest of the city
- San Martín de los Andes several top trails directly above the center
Travel time
In principle, the whole year is ideal for cycling trips, with the exception of the extreme south (Santa Cruz Province and fire land) in which winter can get uncomfortably cold. It can also be very rainy and humid at the same time in the north in the summer, and in some cases floods and landslides can delay a tour - even if you are less affected as a cyclist than as a car driver. In almost every case, spring and autumn are ideal, in the northern half also the dry (southern) winter, in which the cold spells are kept within limits.
Bike transport
Simply transport the bike without disassembling it like on European trains? Rare luck in Argentina.
By train
If available, a train connection is usually the best solution despite the longer travel times, because it is almost certain that you can put the bike somewhere, whether in the luggage cart or in the hallway of the touring car. In addition, the prices of the trains are currently lower than those of the buses. However, there are only a few railway lines at the moment, with the largest selection in the province of Buenos Aires.
By plane
Transporting bicycles on domestic flights is usually possible without any problems, provided it is disassembled and stowed away. As a rule, a flat rate is charged for the bike, as for any large piece of luggage, which is the equivalent of around 20 to 30 euros.
By bus
Buses go almost everywhere in Argentina. But to transport the bike you have to disassemble it and pack it in a box. Even better: special bike bags that are rare in Argentina. A surcharge is seldom charged for "oversized luggage".
accommodation
There is a campsite in almost every place in Argentina. These are usually very inexpensive and bicycles usually cost nothing. However, it is better to close them to a tree or lamppost at night, especially in large tourist areas, as not all places are 100% safe. But there is no need to have an exaggerated fear of bicycle theft.
In the case of hotels, it should be noted that there are often no storage facilities in large cities (exception: hotels with a garage). In smaller hotels, you can sometimes take your bike into your room if necessary.
cards
Special cycling maps are only available in a few, demarcated travel areas.
For long-distance journeys, we recommend the ACA provincial cards, available at the service stations and petrol stations of the Argentine automobile club and in selected bookshops and kiosks. These are road maps on a scale of approx. 1: 400,000 to 1: 750,000, which normally contain all roads and routes suitable for bicycles. Trials are of course in vain here. The price of the cards is quite cheap. The somewhat cheaper and less detailed ARGENGUIDE maps that are available at every better kiosk are also sufficient for long distances.
If you need more details, you can usually refer to the cards of the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (earlier Instituto Geográfico Militar), which offers maps in the scales 1: 50,000, 1: 100,000 and 1: 250,000. These are best at the institute itself in Buenos Aires (Av. Cabildo 381, district Palermo, Opening times: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and online at Geo Argentina to obtain. Unfortunately, these cards are often unavailable or out of stock, and the digital version is very expensive. Of course, you can also come with us in an emergency Google Maps help, Argentina satellite images have been available there almost entirely on a "cyclist-friendly" scale since around 2010.
