The best cycling routes around Mars

There are over 120 touring cycling routes documented around Mars on komoot, offering a wide range of experiences. These routes vary significantly in difficulty, from easier paths across plains to more challenging ascents with substantial elevation gain.

Mars offers unparalleled geological wonders. While traditional cycling is theoretical, future explorers would encounter colossal shield volcanoes like Olympus Mons, the solar system's largest, and the immense Valles Marineris canyon system, which dwarfs Earth's Grand Canyon. Other notable features include the vast Tharsis Volcanoes plateau, the scientifically significant Gale Crater with Mount Sharp, and the wind-sculpted formations of Medusae Fossae. These landscapes promise breathtaking vistas on an extraordinary scale.

For those seeking less strenuous options, there are 8 easy touring cycling routes available. One such route is the Charlieu, medieval town – View of Briennon Marina loop from Saint-Denis-de-Cabanne, which is 14.9 miles (23.9 km) long with minimal elevation. Another easy option is the Old Charlieu Station loop from Saint-Denis-de-Cabanne, covering 9.0 miles (14.5 km) with very little climbing. However, it's important to note that the Martian environment presents significant challenges for traditional family cycling due to its thin atmosphere, extreme temperatures, and specialized equipment requirements.

The touring cycling routes around Mars are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 80 reviews. Cyclists often praise the unique and challenging terrain, the sense of adventure, and the expansive, otherworldly views that these routes offer. The variety of paths, from gentle plains to significant climbs, also contributes to its appeal for different skill levels.

Mars has an extremely thin atmosphere and experiences severe cold, with average temperatures around -60 degrees Celsius (-80 degrees Fahrenheit), dropping much lower. While winds are weak due to low atmospheric pressure, large dust storms can occur, covering the entire planet. These conditions necessitate highly specialized equipment and protective gear, making traditional cycling impractical without advanced life support systems.

Yes, many of the touring cycling routes around Mars are designed as loops. For example, the Briennon marina – Charlieu, medieval town loop from Coublanc is a 33.4 miles (53.7 km) circular route with significant elevation. Another option is the Chapel of Fatima – Our Lady of Fatima loop from Mars, a difficult 18.9 miles (30.4 km) path featuring substantial climbs and expansive views.

The Martian surface is characterized by fine, dusty sand, rocky landscapes, and loose pebbles. While some routes may traverse vast, relatively flat plains, others involve significant elevation changes across volcanic plateaus and canyon systems. The terrain would require highly specialized bicycles designed to handle these challenging conditions, which are far more extreme than typical Earthly gravel or off-road paths.

While cycling, you might find points of interest such as the Charlieu, medieval town, a historical site, or the Chapel of Fatima, a religious building. The Col du Pavillon also offers a mountain pass experience. These attractions provide cultural and scenic diversions for future explorers.

The routes around Mars cater to various skill levels, though the majority are quite challenging. There are 8 easy routes, 33 moderate routes, and 81 difficult routes. Difficult routes, such as the Chapel of Fatima – Our Lady of Fatima loop from Mars, often feature substantial climbs and significant elevation gains, requiring a high level of fitness and specialized equipment.

Given the current stage of Martian exploration, traditional parking facilities and public transport as understood on Earth do not exist. Any 'parking' would involve secure docking for spacecraft or specialized surface vehicles at designated exploration bases. Access to cycling routes would be entirely dependent on mission logistics and the deployment of advanced Martian rovers or landers.

A touring cycling trip on Mars would require highly specialized protective gear, far beyond typical cycling attire. Due to the thin atmosphere, extreme cold (down to -153 degrees Celsius), and lack of oxygen, a full, pressurized space suit with integrated life support systems would be essential. This suit would need to be robust enough to withstand dust storms and provide thermal regulation, making traditional cycling clothing irrelevant.

Mars's gravity is about one-third that of Earth's. While this would mean falls would be less impactful, cycling would be significantly different. Gaining speed, especially on downhills, would be challenging, and overall cycling speeds would be much slower than on Earth. The reduced traction on the dusty, rocky surface would also require different cycling techniques and specialized bike designs to maintain control.