The MTB Atlas: South America

 

Towering mountains, wild terrain, and a riding culture that’s only just getting started.

South America is mountain biking’s next great frontier. From the glacial lakes of Argentine Patagonia to the jungle-clad descents of Bolivia, the riding here spans landscapes that exist nowhere else on earth. The trail networks are growing fast, the local riding communities are passionate, and the scenery has a habit of stopping you in your tracks mid-descent. If this continent isn’t on your riding radar yet, it should be.

This is part four of our six-part MTB Atlas series, where we map out the best trails across every continent with insights from Steadyrack ambassadors Caroline Buchanan and Rémy Métailler. 

WHERE TO RIDE

Santa Fe Bike Park, Santiago, Chile

Not every great riding destination is a trail in the mountains. Sometimes it’s a perfectly designed pump track at the foot of them, and Caroline’s South American highlight proves exactly that.

“I haven’t done a huge amount of riding in South America yet, but I absolutely loved riding the Velosolutions Pump Track in Santiago Chile. The riding culture, community atmosphere and energy around the venue were incredible.”

Set in Las Condes, on the edge of the city where Santiago meets the Andes, the park’s Velosolutions-built pump track has become a hub for the Chilean riding community, drawing riders of all levels and ages. It’s the kind of spot that reminds you mountain biking is as much about the people around you as the terrain beneath your wheels. If you’re passing through Santiago, it’s a stop worth making.

 

 

Bariloche, Argentina

Bariloche is widely regarded as the cycling capital of Argentina and one of the best mountain biking destinations in all of South America. Sitting on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi in Argentine Patagonia, the setting alone is worth the trip.

The Mount Catedral Bike Park has circuits developed for both beginners and expert riders, with trails through the woods, downhill slopes across different technical levels, and a popular 4X circuit. Beyond the bike park, the Río Manso trail south from Bariloche along the Manso River valley is one of the go-to singletrack routes in the Argentine Lake District.

The combination of world-class terrain, Patagonian wilderness, and a thriving local riding community makes Bariloche a destination that serious riders return to again and again. 

 

Death Road, Bolivia

Few rides in the world carry a name quite like this one. Known locally as El Camino de la Muerte, Bolivia’s Death Road isn’t just a thrilling downhill ride. It’s a journey through stunning landscapes that descends from the snowcapped Andes into the lush, subtropical Yungas valleys.

Most riders tackle it with a guided tour operator out of La Paz. The ride covers over 64km (40 miles) of descent, dropping nearly 3,600m (11,800ft) from La Cumbre pass, with the landscape shifting dramatically from cold, high-altitude Andean terrain to warm cloud forest. It’s an experience that sits somewhere between bucket list adventure and genuine mountain biking challenge, and one that earns its reputation for a reason. 

 

 

Medellín, Colombia

Colombia has built a serious reputation in the MTB world, and Medellín is at the heart of it. The trails around the city drop through lush cloud forest and connect into a network that spans everything from beginner-friendly cross-country to demanding technical descents. The Santa Elena area above the city is home to some of the region’s most popular trails, and the surrounding Antioquia region extends the options considerably for riders with more time on their hands.

Beyond the trails, Medellín itself has become one of the most exciting cities in South America, with a food scene, culture, and energy that makes it worth building a longer trip around. 

 

WHEN TO GO

Both ambassadors point to the Southern Hemisphere summer as South America’s prime riding window. As Caroline notes: “December through March is generally the sweet spot, especially in Chile and Argentina, where you can enjoy summer riding while much of the Northern Hemisphere is in winter.”

Rémy adds some characteristic perspective: “It’s mountain biking, any season is a good season. Summer is for the bigger days, spring and fall for shredding, winter for shorter, more intense rides.” 

A rough seasonal guide:

• Bariloche and Patagonia are best from December to March, when the long summer days and dry conditions make for ideal trail riding.

• Santiago and central Chile follow a similar summer window, though the shoulder months of October, November, and April can be excellent too.

• Bolivia and Death Road can be ridden year-round, though the dry season from May to October offers the most reliable conditions and clearest skies.

• Medellín and Colombia benefit from a more stable climate, with two dry seasons running roughly December to February and July to August being the most consistent windows.

 

The trails are out there. Now you just need to ride them. 

 

Next month in the MTB Atlas: Asia.