Copahue & Caviahue — Neuquén Volcano ThermalCircuit.
Distance
250 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
3,000 m
Copahue & Caviahue — Neuquén Volcano Thermal Circuit.
A two-day ride from the high steppe of Zapala into the volcanic cordillera of northern Neuquén, ending at the thermal springs of Copahue beneath its permanently steaming volcano. The final climb enters one of Argentina's only forests of pehuén (monkey-puzzle) trees, ringing a caldera lake at Caviahue.
Quick facts
SurfaceMixed
Distance250 km
Days2
Total climb3,000 m
Fuel stops1 along route
DifficultyChallenging
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2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 5 waypoints to discover along the way.
ZapalaStart · Start on the Patagonian steppe at this rail-and-mining town. Top up fuel and warm layers — the route climbs steadily from here.
Las LajasFuel Stop · Junction town on the RN40. Last full services before the mountains; fuel here and take the northbound road toward Loncopué.
LoncopuéOvernight · Overnight in this quiet valley town at the foot of the cordillera. Simple hosterías and a good asado; the thermal road climbs west tomorrow.
CaviahueScenic Point · Climb into the caldera to Caviahue (1,600 m), a village on Lago Caviahue ringed by ancient araucaria forest and the flanks of Volcán Copahue.
Copahue Thermal SpringsEnd · Finish at Copahue (2,000 m), a summer-only spa village of sulphur pools and mud baths directly below the active, steaming volcano. The last stretch is part gravel — ride it carefully.
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