Lake Arenal Is a Mountain Bikers Delight: Recap of ‘La Vuelta del Lago.’

Every spring, mountain biking enthusiasts from near and far come to Tilaran to participate in La Vuelta del Lago.

What started with a group of less than 100 riders back in 1992 now has thousands of participants flocking to the area for this spectacular 2-day event. This year, La Vuelta del Lago took place during the first week of March, and riders of all ages, nationalities and skill level came prepared for the fun-filled trek.

One of the unique, endearing qualities about La Vuelta del Lago is that it occurs in the spirit of good fun and recreation. Even though riders’ times are now tracked and prizes are awarded, the event continues to be less of a race and more of a recreational activity for many involved.

The sheer pleasure derived from spending time with family and friends over a two-day period and sharing the adventure embodies what this 158 km trek is all about.

In the early hours just after daybreak on the first day, riders congregate in the streets of Tilaran; they’re all ready to travel through dense jungle and past beautiful lake vistas, cruising by landmarks such as Viejo Arenal and Rio Cano Negro until they finally reach their destination of La Fortuna.

After a good night’s rest, riders grab their bikes bright and early and began the second part of their journey back to Tilaran. The scenery the next day continues to be as spectacular as the first. Bikers spend their second day traversing the path around the majestic Arenal Volcano and back towards Tilaran.

But you don’t have to wait until the annual La Vuelta del Lagoto get out and do some mountain biking in the area. Full time residents here have the opportunity to take advantage of the cool, breezy weather and ride as much as they want.

With an abundance of back roads to explore, it won’t be long until you have an infinite number of routes to roam and “heavy traffic” is what we call cattle in the road. If biking tops your list for outdoor activities, this is the place to be.

Lake Arenal Is a Mountain Bikers Delight: Recap of La Vuelta del Lag.

Article/Property ID Number 5768

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.