Chile’s Atacama Desert is also one of the most arid regions in the world, where sand dunes, mountains, and plains look as if they belong to another planet.
Passing this huge desert on mountain bikes is a real challenge that does not leave you indifferent or even indifferent. The route through the Atacama is what one might expect in a desert: flat sands, difficult sandy hills, salt plains, and, in some parts, sharp-edged canyons and deep volcanic plains, making it a very interesting and rather hard ride.
When cycling through this almost deserted area, one will be touched by the atmosphere of the desert, the reddish rocks, the royal-blue sky, and other enormous rock formations. This trail is relatively short but is at a fairly high elevation, where you should be prepared for some tough conditions: loads of water, sunblock, and spades of adventure.
On the way, you will come across things like petroglyphs, deserted mining settlements, and, sometimes, an oasis. The loneliness and space that are intrinsic to such tours and the beauty of nature create deep and lasting emotional ties in the course of this ride, so this is one of the most unforgettable experiences any cyclist can dream of.
Mark