The Sustainable North: Four Routes to Bike through Beautiful Landscapes and Leaving no Environmental Footprint

Northern Argentina is composed of provinces of unsurpassable natural beauty: deserts, jungles, mountains, rivers, and sierras make up the typical scenery of the North. Flora and fauna abound in these environments rich in nature; it is no coincidence that there are many national parks that protect the wide variety of species that inhabit them. It is our responsibility, as witnesses of such nature, to do our bit to preserve their habitat. How can we do so? Well, following some universal guidelines on water and energy conservation and learning the best way to do sustainable tourism should be enough. The north lends itself as the perfect trial run: its landscapes, curves and colours are ideal for exploring it on two wheels. Besides, cycle tourism has a double advantage: not only is it good for the planet, it is also more economical for visitors. This option allows you to connect with the place through all your senses: the strong, dry wind as you pedal, the smell of wet earth and the singing of the condors dancing in the sky make the experience even better. Now, how to enjoy the journey by bicycle?

1. Salta: a Colourful Exhibition that Reaches its Climax at the Garganta del Diablo 

It all starts on National Route 68, in the province of Salta, also known as La Linda. The route is mostly flat terrain, with a total distance of 18 kilometres and an estimated duration of one hour. Along the road, you will find the colourful mountains as its main witnesses, as well as multicoloured walls in La Yesera (Cafayate), places to taste the local gastronomy, and breathtaking places to stop along the way. El Sapo Nature Reserve and El Anfiteatro are some of the most popular. In addition, the itinerary only gets better, because your pedalling is rewarded at the end of the road: the marvellous Quebrada de las Conchas, where the Garganta del Diablo, a natural rocky sculpture dyed red and shaped like a tube, stands out.

2. Jujuy, Land of Amazing Valleys and Ravines

This journey begins on Provincial Route 73, located in the town of Humahuaca. What is the magic of this place? The imposing Quebrada de Humahuaca, where 10,000-year-old ancestral cultures lived. UNESCO declared it a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2003 because of its local and global impact.  There are no restaurants along the route, but there is an amazing sightseeing stop before reaching the destination: the Mirador a la Serranía de los 14 Colores del Hornocal. The end point of the route, after 22 kilometres of cycling, is the Hornocal mountain range. Its mountains are dressed in a range of colours, where ochre and yellow stand out; no wonder it is one of the favourite destinations in Argentina. 

Besides this must-see, another alternative is to start the route from San Salvador de Jujuy, by taking National Route 9 and cycling 126 kilometres to Humahuaca. This route abounds in natural wonders and runs through iconic towns such as Purmamarca, Maimará, Tilcara, Huacalera and Humahuaca.

3. Catamarca and its Endless Natural Scenery

Your journey here begins on the Cuesta Quebrada Moreyra road and Provincial Route 1 in the town of San Fernando, winding through green hills. Main attractions? The Neoclassical architecture of the Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, and the Oasi di Antofalla, which offers impressive black basaltic stones and some volcanoes. You will find gastronomic stops every 3 kilometres as you feel the heat on your skin and the wind on your face. After 27 kilometres you reach the end: Villa las Pirquitas, a tourist village with large vegetation, houses with brick facades, a picturesque chapel, a dam that mirrors the landscape and an atmosphere that conveys absolute relaxation.  

4. La Rioja and One of the World Heritage Sites: Talampaya National Park

Since this route has a high level of difficulty (77.2 km with a duration of almost 4 hours), we recommend that you do it at your own pace and, if possible, with some previous experience. The route starts on National Route 76, in Villa Unión, a town crossed by the Desaguadero River. The stops include must-see sights that take the experience of cycle touring to another level: the wheels of your bicycle change their colour until they reach that reddish hue that is so characteristic of the province of La Rioja. And so is one of the most majestic parks in the country, the Talampaya National Park. Dinosaur footprints and rocks dating back more than 45 million years guide the trails that are ideal for cycling through.

Bonus track: Sustainable Argentine Littoral

5. Misiones: Rainforest and Nature at Its Best

Misiones stands out for being a perfect destination to rest very close to nature, surrounded by deep green vegetation and an infinity of resorts. But not everything is relaxation: adventure also finds its place in the Misiones jungle. The starting and ending points of this route are no exception to these features. From Puerto Panambí, following Provincial Route 2 (also known as Ruta Costera) to Santa Rita, the scenery only gets better and the Uruguay River becomes even more prominent. This is a sublime route for cycling enthusiasts due to the smoothness of the road and the lack of cars, covering a total of 46 kilometres. The good news is that you can take breaks at places like Cerro Mborore and the Mirador de Barra Machado.