The best gravel rides in Boyacá

Boyacá offers a wide selection of gravel biking routes, with over 15 trails documented on komoot. These routes cater to various skill levels, ranging from moderate to difficult, ensuring there's a challenge for every rider.

Gravel biking in Boyacá presents a diverse landscape, featuring a mix of 'chunky gravel' and 'smooth roads'. You'll traverse varied ecosystems, from high plains around Villa de Leyva with drier, dustier roads, to high-altitude páramo regions. Expect significant elevation gains and long climbs, with some sections reaching nearly 11,000 feet.

Many routes offer stunning natural beauty. You can encounter vital páramo ecosystems with unique frailejones plants and mountain lakes, such as those near Ocetá Páramo. Lake Tota, Colombia's largest natural lake, is also a prominent feature in the region. For breathtaking vistas, consider routes that pass by viewpoints like Alto de Boca de Monte Viewpoint or Curies Summit.

While many routes in Boyacá are challenging, there are options for moderate ability levels. For instance, the Muisca Observatory – Villa de Leyva loop from Sáchica is a moderate 19.3-mile (31.0 km) trail that can be completed in about 2 hours 33 minutes, offering a taste of the region's historic surroundings without extreme difficulty.

Routes vary significantly. You can find shorter loops like the Muisca Observatory – Villa de Leyva loop from Sáchica at 19.3 miles (31.0 km) with around 380 meters of elevation gain. Longer, more challenging routes, such as the Villa de Leyva – Villa de Leyva loop from Sáchica, span over 50 miles (81 km) and feature more than 1300 meters of climbing.

For comfortable and effective navigation of Boyacá's varied terrain, a gravel bike with at least 38c tires is recommended, with 40mm tires offering better comfort and traction. Due to the substantial elevation changes and long climbs, equipping your bike with generous gearing is also highly advised.

Boyacá's climate can vary with altitude. Generally, the drier seasons are preferable for gravel biking, as some roads can become very dusty in the high plain regions or muddy in other areas during heavy rains. Always check local weather forecasts before heading out, especially for high-altitude routes.

Absolutely. Many gravel routes in Boyacá weave through remote villages and historic colonial towns. Villa de Leyva, with its centuries-old architecture, is a popular basecamp. Other picturesque towns like Monguí, Iza, and Tibasosa offer cultural immersion and opportunities to stop at local stores for refreshments, enhancing your riding experience.

The komoot community highly rates the gravel biking experience in Boyacá, with an average score of 4.8 stars. Riders often praise the region's diverse and challenging landscapes, the significant elevation gains that test endurance, and the cultural immersion offered by routes passing through charming colonial towns and remote villages.

Yes, many of the popular gravel routes in Boyacá are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish in the same location. Examples include the Villa de Leyva – Casa Terracota loop from Villa de Leyva, which is a challenging 31.9-mile (51.5 km) ride, and the Villa de Leyva – Villa de Leyva loop from VILLA DE LEYVA, a 18.6-mile (30 km) option.

For experienced riders seeking a significant challenge, routes like the Patio de Las Brujas – Villa de Leyva loop from VILLA DE LEYVA are highly recommended. This difficult 56.3-mile (90.6 km) path features extensive climbs and varied terrain, characteristic of Boyacá's most demanding routes, with over 2100 meters of elevation gain.