Mountain Biking in La Parva, Chile
14 Apr 2014
La Parva is a ski resort about an hour outside of Santiago and, at the moment, it is holding the title of My-Favorite-Place-in-Chile. A little ski town, perched high up in the Andes at almost 9,000 feet, and surrounded by nothing but rock and soaring, snow-capped peaks, La Parva is nothing short of epic (and pretty much the last place you’d want to be in event of an earthquake). The road up to La Parva is equally epic, with 39 switchback curves. Yes, 39. And that doesn’t count 90 degree turns, only full 180 degree switchbacks. I know because they’re numbered and I’ve now driven all 39 of them approximately 6 times in the past week. (And I didn’t throw up once! Win!)
photo cred: Sean Leader
Of course, I’m biased, but I really believe the only way to experience this place is on a mountain bike. However, I’m not going to lie–the trails here are really, really difficult. I have bruises and scrapes on pretty much every inch of my legs to prove it. An outside observer might think that, instead of doing a mountain bike race on Saturday, I spent the weekend cage fighting with rabid squirrels. I would post a picture, but I really don’t want to get Macky arrested for domestic abuse.
Instead, enjoy this video of Sean crashing spectacularly on a bunch of pointy rocks: (if you’re into that kind of thing, which if you’re a mountain biker you obviously are, because I know we all LIVE to watch other people eat it.)
As you can see, these trails are loose, rocky and treacherous. As our Chilean friends put it, “there is no such thing as a soft fall at La Parva.” The climbs are all hike-a-bike. Or, um, drag-a-bike, if you’re me. There is nothing easy about riding here. Nothing easy at all. And in fact, after our first ride, I was pretty convinced there was nothing FUN about riding here. I may or may not have cried multiple times on one descent. But then, this weekend, something clicked. I stopped thinking about my bruises and started looking at the views. Which are fucking spectacular.
Mountain biking can be a frustrating sport, especially when you’re riding trails that are way different than anything you are used to (and arguably far beyond your ability level). But, in the end, it’s always worth it because you end up in some pretty special places you never would have gotten to otherwise. And at the end of the day, you can count your bruises and scratches and feel really damn accomplished, even if you did happen to get dead last in your first ever pro enduro race (um, hypothetically, cough cough).
What do you think? Would you ride here? How do you turn frustration into a sense of accomplishment?
I’m not a mountain biker, but I would love to do some serious hiking here! These pictures are stunning.
As for turning frustration into accomplishment, limping across a finish line is so much sweeter than trotting across with barely a sweat. Keep walking/riding. That’s an accomplishment!
Thanks for sharing, great stuff!
Thanks, Nathan! Just the encouragement I needed! :)
Looks very exciting, I don’t know that I’d be able to keep a very good pace… I find that often when I’m cycling with my partner on rough terrain, he always speeds away and I’m left behind being a little overly careful haha.
You and me both!
I can’t help but admire someone who would bike up a mountain that steep. It sounds quite scary to me. But I can’t argue with you that you have the best views! Great post.
Donna On Palawan @ Quintessential San Diego From A to Z
Hah, well, as you can see, I was walking. But the views were rad!
Wow that sounds amazing – and slightly crazy! Yet another reason to go back to South America!
La Parva is beautiful for hiking/skiing as well, so something for everybody. And you should definitely come back :)
Kudos on sticking out the difficult trails! I have so much respect for you guys as mountain bikers because I don’t think I would ever be able to do it. The pictures look beautiful!
Never say never! I bet you could do it!!!
I’m not a mountain biker… but I do enjoy watching people eat it anyways!
Pingback: View from My Digital Nomad Office: Nevados de Chillan, ChileNomadically Inclined
Hi Syd
I happened upon your blog purely by accident. I’ve wanted to ride in Chile for a number of years now and wondered if you could give me any advise on some bike friendly accommodation and where to find the best trails. I read your piece about Newzealand, when you make it back to Milford I recommend diving there, it’s SWEET AS!!
Hi Dominic! Thanks so much for your post! There is great riding in the Santiago area, for sure, as well as farther south. Chillan had some AWESOME enduro-style riding as well. Definitely shoot me an email if you are planning a trip and I can get you some connections!
Hi Syd, thanks for the reply. I’ll definitely drop you an email. Chillan looks like a good place to start, any bike friendly hostels in Valle Las Trancas?
Hi Dominic! We stayed at Cabanas Los Hualles. The guy who owns the place, Francisco, is a mountain biker and is super cool! They are kind of pricy for budget travelers but we were there for a race and all the cheap hostels were booked. Though, actually, I don’t think there’s much cheap stuff in that area. That’s the only downside.
Love this. You’re nuts. I really want to go to Chile one day! But first I think you need to come back to New Zealand and teach me how to shred too :D
Well, since you’ve already incorporated “shred” into your vocabulary, I would say you’re well on your way. I hope to be back in NZ in December or January! Wheeeee.
Pingback: La Parva (EWS 0.5) race report | Team Santa Fe Brewing – Pivot Cycles