The best cycling routes in La Serena

La Serena offers a wide variety of touring cycling routes, with over 15 options available on komoot. These routes cater to different skill levels, including 12 easy and 3 moderate trails, ensuring there's something for everyone.

You'll find diverse terrain in La Serena. Coastal routes along the Pacific Ocean, particularly along Avenida del Mar, offer mostly flat, easy rides with dedicated bike paths. Inland, the Elqui Valley features country roads surrounded by mineral mountains and fertile riverbanks, with some sections being unpaved. For more adventurous cyclists, the nearby Andes foothills provide challenging mountain biking trails with significant elevation changes.

Yes, La Serena has several easy touring cycling routes perfect for beginners. A great option is the Coquimbo Sign – I Love La Serena Sign loop from La Serena, an 8.5-mile (13.8 km) path offering ocean views and fresh sea breezes along the waterfront. Many coastal routes are designed for leisurely rides.

The touring cycling routes in La Serena are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.8 stars from over 70 reviews. More than 200 touring cyclists have used komoot to explore the region's varied terrain, often praising the scenic coastal paths and the unique experience of cycling through the Elqui Valley.

Yes, many of the touring cycling routes in La Serena are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For example, the Coquimbo Sign – I Love La Serena Sign loop from Hotel de la Bahía is a popular 21.6-mile (34.8 km) moderate trail that follows the scenic coastal path between La Serena and Coquimbo.

Along the coastal routes, you'll pass iconic landmarks like the I Love La Serena Sign and the Faro Monumental, which offers panoramic views. Cycling into the Elqui Valley, you can visit charming villages and pisco distilleries. In La Serena itself, you can easily reach cultural sites like the Plaza de Armas de La Serena and the Japanese Garden by bike.

Absolutely. The Elqui Valley, just an hour east of La Serena, is a prime cycling destination. You can explore country roads surrounded by mineral mountains and vineyards. While specific komoot routes for the Elqui Valley are not listed in this guide, the region research indicates that tours often include stops at pisco distilleries and picturesque towns like Alcohuaz and Horcón.

Many of the easy coastal routes are ideal for families. The dedicated bike paths along Avenida del Mar provide a safe and scenic environment for cyclists of all ages. A good example is the Coquimbo Sign – Beachfront Bike Path loop from Hotel Campanario de Mar, a 6.5-mile (10.5 km) easy ride perfect for a family outing.

Yes, La Serena is increasingly popular for gravel biking. Beyond the paved coastal paths, the region offers rural roads and gravel trails, particularly as you venture towards the Elqui Valley or the Andes foothills. These routes cater to the versatility of gravel bikes, allowing you to explore diverse landscapes.

Route distances and durations vary significantly. Easy coastal loops can be as short as 8.5 miles (13.8 km), taking around 45 minutes to an hour. Moderate routes, like the I Love La Serena Sign – Coquimbo Sign loop from Los Girasoles, 5320-5672, can extend to 22.5 miles (36.2 km) and take over 2 hours to complete, depending on your pace and stops.

While many routes are coastal and relatively flat, for those seeking more challenge, the nearby Andes foothills offer trails with significant elevation changes. These are generally more suited for mountain biking but can be explored by touring cyclists looking for a strenuous workout. An example of a route with moderate elevation gain is the I Love La Serena Sign – Coquimbo Sign loop from Avenida Regimiento Arica, 1481-1499, which includes over 160 meters of ascent.

While many routes focus on the coastline or the Elqui Valley, some routes may pass through or near urban areas, allowing you to explore the city's architecture and cultural sites. For instance, the Casa Ofi – Las Higueras Bike Path loop from Estadio La Portada is an easy 8.3-mile (13.4 km) route that offers a different perspective, potentially connecting to urban areas.