Peru Great Divide

• Best bike: this route can be ridden on any touring bike but large volume tyres (2.4in or more) will certainly make it a more comfortable experience. More importantly, run a low gearing and pack as light as you can, as a slimline setup will pay dividends given the amount of high elevation climbing.
• As with most routes in the Peruvian Cordillera, much of it is at high altitude and there is a lot of climbing, so it’s much easier with a good level of fitness and acclimatization.
• There are upwards of 50 4,000m+ passes, so bring your mountain legs!
• Time to spare? An exploration of the Cordillera Blanca is a great way of testing body and gear alike, and enjoying a magnificent overview of this stunning mountain range. 
• Short on time? A number of roads from the coast to the largest mountain cities bisect the route, so it’s possible to join it at different points. The highlight of the ride is probably from Huaraz to Huancavelica. See Trail Notes for more ideas.  
• Bikepackers tend to ride the route north to south, but both directions work well. Either way, expect some big climbs!
• Be sure to acclimatise beforehand for several days at least – Huaraz and its abundance of riding, hiking, and fine dining make a good base for this.
• Similarly, bring appropriate, mountain-worthy gear. Depending on the season, waterproof trousers are recommended too. Local woollen hats can be picked up in Huaraz or en route!
• ATMs aren’t to be relied on en route, except in Huancavalica. Your best bet is to take cash with you, in small denominations. Fortunately, touring in the Peruvian high country is very affordable – there’s very little to spend your money on but food!
• Best time ride: this ride is best undertaken from April/May to September, when rainfall is less likely and weather patterns are most stable. Avoid the rainy season (October/November to March) as it brings intense afternoon storms that will likely have you hunkering down off the bike for a number of hours a day. The shoulder seasons can be hit or miss, too. 
• A sleeping bag rated to -5c will tide you through and allow camping at high elevation (the best spots!).  Temperatures can be frigid before sunrise and after sunset.
• It’s best not to rely on much cell service – even with a local SIM card – though there’s a slowly increasing amount of patchy wifi along the way.
• Cruz del Sur is a safe, reliable bus company that runs from Lima to Huaraz as an overnight service. Likewise, you can take the same company back to Lima from Abancay. There is a small fee for a bike, sometimes based on weight. Bikes can be boxed or you can just remove the wheels, though some Cruz del Sur offices may ask you to wrap the bike, which can generally be done at the bus station. Tickets can be booked online.

• Most settlements will have a basic hospedaje of sorts – even if it’s as simple as a dorm bed if the weather is looking stormy.
• Larger towns offer a greater selection of accommodation with sporadic Wifi. Huancavelica is the best place to rest up en route. 
• Beautiful, high elevation, wild-camping spots abound across the length of this route. They are definitely a highlight of riding the Peru Great Divide, so savour them!

• Basic resupplies are fairly regular but still, it’s best to plan on carrying 2-3 days of food at a time. Snacks – chocolates and biscuits – can often be picked up along the way
• Options can be limited in smaller settlements, so eat to your fill well whenever you hit a town! Fresh trout makes a welcome change from fried eggs and rice, or chicken claw soup, classic Peruvian mountain staples.
• There is mining activity in the area, so take in choosing the water source you purify from.
• Huancavelica, two-thirds of the way through the route, makes a great spot to rest up for a day, if only because of the quality of its cakes!

This route can be ridden comfortably over 30 riding days or so, assuming you are acclimatised. Or, it can be slimmed down to its highlight, Huaraz to Huancavelica, which can be covered in around 18 riding days. Given the amount of high elevation climbing, these timeframes are based on 50km of riding per day. Note you’ll likely want to add the odd rest day in and mileages will vary depending on the season… and how much you like to linger in so many stunning campsites!

If you have time at the beginning of end, it’s well worth spending some days exploring the Cordillera Blanca, whether by bike or by foot. See the Pikes’ Trailblazer guidebook for ideas (the book includes some singletrack day rides, too), or one of their other routes on the site.

There are many variations on joining and exiting the Peru  Great Divide, too. For instance, consider working in a traverse to Pastoruri from Huaraz to marvel at its Puya Raymondis (see map location), followed by a more testing crossing of the Huayhuash (route details in the pipeline). This challenging alternate meets the Peru Great Divide near Oyon – a good resupply point. Given the number of hike-a-bikes and the nature of the trail, it’s better suited to a more minimal setup than the rest of the ride, and will suit riders who are both confident mountain bikers and happy to push their bikes for extended periods.

Aside from being a wonderful standalone route, the Peru Great Divide can also be tackled as part of a longer South American journey. It plugs in neatly to Cones and Canyons and the Camino del Puma (via Arequipa) or riders can head to the Incan capital of Cuzco (see here for a RWGPS suggestion) and then connect with the Ruta de las Las Tres Cordilleras on their way to Bolivia. Possibilities abound!

We’ve already featured a number of Peru Great Divide content here on the site. See these links for more inspiration:

• El Silencio – the film, the ride, and the bikes.
• In the Footsteps of The Chaskis – the Peru Great Divide on gravel bikes, in 18 days, starting in Cuzco. You can find the route and connector here.
• Admissions of an Amateur Bikepacker – a first solo adventure!
• For the Pikes’ original route post that hones in on 343km of the route – and their photos – see here.