Mountain Biking Tour: Chile Lake and Volcano District

Wild Lava Flow is a seven-day guided mountain biking adventure through Chile's Lake and Volcano District, riding volcanic singletrack, forest and logging roads and gravel past volcanoes, ancient araucaria forests and lava fields. After a transfer to Melipeuco, a warm-up ride leads to an eco-lodge inside Conguillío National Park, before crossing the park past lava fields and volcanic lakes beneath Llaima Volcano.

Three nights at the Swiss-inspired Suizandina Lodge in Malalcahuello allow rides to the Christmas Crater on Lonquimay Volcano and through the Las Raíces Range, with Tolhuaca Volcano in view. The tour finishes in Pucón, riding via Quelhue to the Ojos del Caburgua waterfall, sharing dinner with a Mapuche family and climbing to the ski resort at the base of Villarrica, Chile's most active volcano. Hot springs, Chilean cuisine and wine round out the experience.

Highlights:

• Lava fields, araucaria forest and Llaima Volcano in Conguillío National Park
• Riding to the Christmas Crater on Lonquimay Volcano in Malalcahuello National Reserve
• The Las Raíces Range with views of Lonquimay and Tolhuaca volcanoes
• Ojos del Caburgua waterfall and Caburgua Lake
• Climbing to the base of Villarrica, Chile's most active volcano
• Dinner with a Mapuche family, plus Chilean cuisine and wine

Surface and terrain:
Volcanic singletrack, forest and logging roads, gravel and double-track, with climbs to 1,650 m in Conguillío and to the Villarrica ski resort, plus an optional descent over a petrified lava flow. No advanced technical skills are required.

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:
Mountain bikers of moderate fitness comfortable on singletrack and loose volcanic surfaces. The tour is rated Easy with no advanced technical skills needed, though climbs to 1,650 m mean some off-road experience helps. An e-MTB upgrade suits those wanting assistance.