Total distance: 25 km · Difficulty: Medium · Duration: 5 hours, including stops
- Heading south:
We set off from Alpataco along the coastal Rambla and through the quiet southern areas. On the left, you will pass CENPAT-CONICET and San Juan Bosco University, our city's hubs of scientific excellence. At CENPAT, there is a mural worth stopping to admire; on the right, the Atlantic Ocean guides our way.
- Plateau trails:
The paved road is left behind. We cycle through molles, jarillas, and coirones; if it rained the day before, the air smells of jarilla.
- Playa Paraná Beach & the Folias shipwreck:
First stop. Ahead of us looms the hull of the fishing vessel Folias, which ran aground in 1980 just 300 metres (980 feet) from the coast; at low tide, its structure emerges in its entirety. This is an ideal spot for photos and a mate by the sea.
- Punta Loma Sea Lion Colony:
After another 3 miles (5 km) of gravel road, we reach the first protected area in Chubut. We leave our bikes and, from the observation deck, observe the permanent colony of South American fur seals: their roars, their dives, and black-necked cormorants flying low overhead. Interpretive talk + Patagonian snack.
- Return along the coast:
We return via Playa Paraná (lower area) to capture the shipwreck in a different light and, now with the slope working in our favour, we cycle directly to Puerto Madryn. A perfect ending with a view of the gulf and a sense of mission accomplished.
Are you up for cycling to see Puerto Madryn's most iconic wildlife? Book your spot today with Alpataco.