Gravel Bike Tour: Chile Lake & Volcano District

Roots & Ash is an eight-day guided gravel adventure through Chile's Lake and Volcano District, mixing gravel, dirt and rougher backcountry roads with volcanoes, lakes and native forests. After a warm-up ride from Curacautín to Malalcahuello, you'll ride the Las Raíces loop through Kütralkura, Chile's first Geopark, then cross Conguillío National Park beneath Llaima Volcano to the country's first eco-lodge.

A day on foot follows, hiking the Sierra Nevada trail in Conguillío, before riding via the Truful-Truful falls to Pucón. From there, explore Villarrica National Park on the slopes of its namesake volcano and loop out to Caburgua Lake, ending with dinner hosted by a Mapuche family. Premium lodges, Chilean cuisine, local wine and microbrews, plus visits with Mapuche and Pewenche communities, complete this volcanic journey.

Highlights:

• Gravel riding through Conguillío National Park with Llaima Volcano in view
• Kütralkura, Chile's first Geopark, on the Las Raíces loop
• Hiking the Sierra Nevada trail in Conguillío National Park
• Villarrica National Park and Volcano above Pucón
• Caburgua Lake and dinner with a Mapuche family
• Chilean cuisine, local wine and microbrews

Surface and terrain:
A mix of gravel, dirt and asphalt with some rougher backcountry sections. Day 2 starts with 14 km paved before dirt and gravel, and Day 3 has 22 km of asphalt and 30 km of dirt and gravel.

Weather:
November to April is the southern summer. Expect mild to warm days of around 18 - 28°C, cooler mornings and higher slopes, and occasional rain in this temperate, forested region.

Suitable for:
Intermediate gravel riders comfortable with back-to-back days of up to 78 km on mixed and rough surfaces, who also enjoy a day's hiking. An e-gravel upgrade suits riders wanting assistance.