If you are thinking about a bicycle journey, it is important that you know the climate of the area beforehand. In Patagonia, it is possible to practice adventure biketouring from October to April of each year.

Here you can see the current weather forecast of San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina). This city is one of the most important and best connected in Patagonia. It is located beside the Andes mountains and receives more than a million tourists each year. It is a great spot to practice adventure sports, such as biketouring, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding, trekking, climbing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, mountaineering, paragliding and sport fishing among others. San Carlos de Bariloche is without a doubt the best place to start your cycling trip in Patagonia.

In Bariloche, the 4 seasons are well defined and the weather can change radically in a few hours. The predominant wind is from the West-Northwest. These strong winds originate in the Pacific Ocean and usually bring precipitation and low temperatures with them. It is important to take the intensity and direction of the wind into account when planning a cycling trip.

Current weather and 15-day forecast in BARILOCHE by Windguru

These are the driest and hottest months of the year. The days are long. It dawns before 6 a.m. and it gets dark at 9:30 p.m., there is almost no rain, daytime temperatures can vary between 20c° and 30c° and the winds are light or moderate. Ideal for bikepacking and camping. This time of the year is frequented by most tourists. Campsites, lodgings and routes are usually more congested.

Photo: 7 lakes by Myrtles forest

The temperature drops and the days become shorter. However, it is an excellent time of year to pedal. There are fewer tourists, the air is fresh and free of dust. Gravel roads get wet. The trees turn orange and yellow. If you plan to camp, it is important to have a good sleeping bag and technical clothing. It is also possible to organize a cycling journey with accommodation to avoid the tent. The temperature can range between 10C° and 20C° during the day and when the wind blows it can get pretty cold. If you are a fan of Enduro or Downhill MTB, and you like to pedal singletracks, this is the best time of the year. The ground conditions are optimal and you have “full grip” almost every day.

Photo: Big Circuit

These are very cold months, with high precipitation in the form of rain or snow. If you still want to take a bicycle trip in winter, remember to carefully study more than one forecast, and have waterproof technical clothing for low temperatures. Coordinate your accommodations well and remember that there are few hours of daylight and fewer open supply shops. It is always possible to make short daily rides and you must have adequate equipment for this activity. The mountains usually have snow accumulation above 1000 meters, and there could be mud or ice in the lower sectors.

Photo: 7 lakes by Traful

Winds are moderate or strong, and the temperature ranges between 13 C° and 23 C° during the day. You can still see snow accumulated in high mountains. Lakes, rivers and streams carry a lot of water due to melting snow. It is possible to travel by bicycle and camp, or you can coordinate your trip with lodging if the forecast is not favorable. In november, the vegetation begins to bloom and intense colors decorate all the routes and trails.

Photo: Manso valley biketrip

Photo: San Carlos de Bariloche

Chile is 4,700 kilometers long and an average of 180 km wide, located between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountain range. Southern Chile is known as Chilean Patagonia. Its territory is greatly influenced by the humidity of the sea. Clouds that originate in the Pacific usually collide with the mountains and precipitate in the form of rain or snow. For this reason, Chile is the territory with the most rainfall in Patagonia. It has a large number of volcanoes, abundant vegetation, rural roads and picturesque towns. Chilean Patagonia is connected to Argentine Patagonia by dozens of border crossings suitable for bike tours. Some of them of considerable difficulty. The most popular biketouring route in Chile is the “Carretera Austral”. You can see this route by clicking the button below.

Photo: Carretera Austral Norte

Argentine Patagonia can be subdivided into 2 zones. The Andes mountain range or area of ​​Patagonian forests, more mountainous, humid and green; and the steppe much drier and more extensive. The mountain area is the most touristic and attractive for traveling by bicycle. It has forests, large mountains, dozens of lakes, lagoons and rivers. The best circuits for cycling are found in the cities of San Martin de los Andes, Bariloche, El Bolsón and Esquel. These four cities are interconnected by Route 40. The route that connects Bariloche with San Martin de los Andes is called Route of the 7 lakes, and it is the most famous biketouring route in Argentina. You can find out about this route by clicking on the button below.

Photo: Route of the 7 Lakes

The steppe represents the largest geographical area in Patagonia. It has strong west-east winds, little rainfall, yellowish vegetation, low, flat and rocky mountains known as “mesetas”. The population density is very low. Few cyclists dare to venture into these lands. The hostile climate and scarcity of water make a bicycle trip in this area a real challenge. The most famous route in the Patagonian steppe is called “Patagonia Beer trail”. You can see this bikepacking circuit by clicking the button below.

Photo: Patagonia Beer Trail

This cross section shows us the predominant geography and average rainfall of Patagonia. The diagram represents a West – East cut at the height of the 41° parallel. On the Argentinian side we can find the city of San Carlos de Bariloche. On the Chilean side, we can find the city of Puerto Varas

Photo: Guanacos loop Challenge

The mountain area has large reserves of fresh water. There are large lakes, rivers and springs. The water can be drunk unfiltered in most cases. Summer is the driest and hottest season. If you are going to travel in summer you should carry an additional bottle and refill water whenever you have the opportunity to do so.

You can easily get food in every town, and campsites usually have mini markets called “proveedurías” with basic supplies. Always bring cash, since many of these small businesses do not accept credit cards.

The Steppe area is more desert-like. The population density is low and there are fewer villages and supply shops. In summer it is difficult to find water as the streams are usually dry. If you are going to explore the Patagonian steppe by bicycle, you must carry plenty of water and provisions, since the distance between supply points can be greater than 100 kilometers on several occasions.

In my opinion, the best bicycle to explore Patagonia is a mountain bike or MTB type bicycle.

Must have 29″ tires, 2.0 to 2.4 inches wide.

It must have a 2×9 or 3×9 transmission, preferably Shimano brand.

This is mainly because it is very easy and economical to find spare parts for this type of bicycle throughout Patagonia. Additionally, this type of bicycle and transmission performs quite well on all types of terrain, whether asphalt, gravel or trail. It is robust and versatile.

Gravel bikes with tires smaller than 2.0 inches do not perform well on Patagonian gravel roads. Furthermore, it is not so easy to find spare parts and they are usually more expensive than MTB spare parts.

SHIMANO brand has a strong presence in Argentina. On the other hand, SRAM brand is not too popular and it is more expensive.

Click the button below to see our bikes

If you are going to travel on gravel roads or trails, a “bikepacking” type configuration is probably best. Dirt roads in Patagonia have bumps, and this configuration adapts very well to uneven terrain.

If you plan to travel on asphalt, a classic configuration with side panniers is your best option. Bike panniers have large capacity and are easy to load and unload. For short trips of less than 7 days, a pair of rear panniers is more than enough. If you plan to take a very long trip, it is advisable to also carry a set of front panniers.

In any case, it is important that your bags or panniers are good quality and waterproof to keep your belongings dry and clean. At Patagonia Bike trips we choose HALAWA panniers and BURLEY trailers.

Below, you can find information on the most used cargo methods and their advantages and disadvantages. The type of cargo equipment depends on the type of trip you are going to take.

A configuration of this type will allow you to pedal on all types of roads or trails without limitations. The bike feels light, and well balanced. The carrying capacity is limited, so you must think very carefully about what you want to take on a trip. The frame bag is suitable for carrying small and heavy objects, such as food or tools. The rear seat bag is designed to carry clothing, and the front bag or handlebar harness is designed for your camping gear. If you are going to bring a tent, sleeping bag and insulation, this equipment must be compact and light. If the tent or sleeping bag is too bulky, it may not fit on the bike. You can complement this cargo system with a small attack backpack in case you want to carry a few extra things. One of the advantages of this configuration is that by traveling light, you can travel great distances in a short time.

This classic setup is very versatile. Suitable for short trips, it performs very well on asphalt and it is possible to pedal on gravel roads. The loading/unloading procedure is simple, which is why it is recommended for travelers with little experience. Food and clothing are loaded inside the saddlebags. Camping equipment can be placed on top of the luggage rack. It is very important not to overload the rear part of the bicycle. Overweight can cause damaged spokes, rack or frame. The main disadvantage is that the bike is not well balanced, and this can complicate maneuvering on uneven roads.

Do you plan to travel by bike for more than 20 days, or cycle through an entire country? If so, this cargo system is what you are looking for. A complete set of panniers plus the handlebar bag can carry up to 100 liters of luggage, plus everything you can fit on top of the rear rack. This cargo setup won’t allow you to travel fast, but it will surely take you very far. Almost every long-distance cyclist chooses this system. You can bring clothing for extreme weather conditions, food and water for long stages, and personal items to feel a little bit more comfortable during your trip. The bike feels balanced, but also heavy. It is suitable for paved routes or gravel roads in good condition.

This cargo configuration combines the maneuverability of bikepacking and the carrying capacity of panniers. It is suitable for medium distance trips. It performs very well on asphalt and gravel. The weight distribution is optimal and the bike doesn’t feel so heavy. You can load the camping equipment in the front harness, and the rest of the luggage in the rear. Heavier items are placed in a frame bag, which lowers the center of gravity, improving maneuverability. This is my favorite type of cargo configuration to travel in Patagonia.

Although the trailer has been losing popularity in recent years, it is still an excellent option for recreational cycling. The loading and unloading process is very simple. It works like a car trunk. You can carry a loaded trekking backpack, camping equipment, food, etc. You must be careful not to overload it, since if it is too heavy it will be hard to pull. A clear advantage is that when you want to explore a particular area, you can easily unhook the trailer, and your bike will be free of extra weight. If you like to camp comfortably, the trailer is your best option.

Caren and Cruz are Argentinians, originally from the province of Santa Fe. A few years ago they decided to change their lives forever. They traveled to Alaska by plane, bought 2 bicycles, and began pedaling towards Ushuaia. Time gave them experience and little by little they configured their bikes according to their needs. Rear and front panniers, bags and more bags, water, food, camping equipment, etc. They carry their house on 2 wheels. The loaded bikes weigh around 50 kg. If you want to know more about this intrepid couple, you can follow them on instagram @viviendoelcamino

CARGO CONFIGURATION: Bikepacking + rear panniers

Follow Chris and Marie on this 10-day expedition along the Big Circuit and the 7 Lakes Route. Chris is originally from Ireland. Photographer, adventurer, bikepacking enthusiast and trailrunner. This video conveys the essence of a bicycle trip through Argentine Patagonia

CARGO CONFIGURATION: Bikepacking

In the spring of 2019 we unboxed the first Halawa bikepacking equipment. We decided to go out and try the gear and explore a trail network called “Huella Andina”. We made a 4-day trip from Bariloche to El Bolsón, following this path of considerable difficulty. We documented the entire trip and this was the final result. Video made by COF Fotografía. Duration: 3:56 minutes

CARGO CONFIGURATION: Rear panniers

One of the most exciting bike tours that we have been doing since 2022 is the Manso Valley Multiadventure. A 5-day combination of cycling and rafting, which covers some sections of the “Huella Andina”, incredible MTB trails and rural roads. Video made by COF Fotografía. Duration: 3:45 minutes

CARGO CONFIGURATION: Trailer

Three friends travel the wonderful route of the 7 lakes in summer. 5-day trip with tent, staying in the most beautiful campsites in Patagonia. Total trip distance 200 km. Departure from Bariloche and ending in San Martín de los Andes. Video made by COF Fotografía. Duration: 1.00 minute