Why this ride
253 km from Chonchi to Chonchi, about 5 h 55 of riding. On the way it passes Church of Achao, Church of Tenaún, back through Church of Tenaún and back through Church of Achao.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Church of Ichuac and Churgh of Caguach
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 253 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 5 h 55
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Scenic road chapters
Chiloe Island Route
Expect company on a summer weekend. Early is better than fast. For 34 km this is Chiloe Island Route, a road with a name of its own and a reason for it.
Chapter facts
- Length
- 69 km
- Named road
- Chiloe Island Route
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Church of Ichuac
Chiloe is a large, green, rainy island off the coast of southern Chile, and its wooden churches are among the most unusual in the Americas. In the seventeenth century, Jesuit missionaries arrived to convert the Chono and Huilliche people, and they found a population of skilled carpenters and boatbuilders. The churches that arose from this meeting, built entirely of local timber, with shingles of alerce cypress and pegs instead of nails, combine European plans with the techniques of ship carpentry. About sixteen of them were listed by UNESCO in 2000, and the one at Ichuac is among the most appealing, on the island of Lemuy, a short ferry ride from the main island.
Read the complete Church of Ichuac write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Church of Ichuac is where the day begins. Next is Church of Achao.
2. Church of Achao
Chiloé is an island of rain, green hills and wooden churches, off the coast of southern Chile, and the church of Achao, on the small island of Quinchao, is the oldest of them. Built in the eighteenth century by Jesuit missionaries and local carpenters, it is made entirely of wood, joined with wooden pegs instead of nails, and its interior is painted in soft blues and whites, with a vaulted ceiling and carved altars. It is one of the sixteen churches of Chiloé inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
Read the complete Church of Achao write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Church of Achao comes up about 69 km into the recorded legs. Next is Church of Tenaún.
3. Church of Tenaún
Out on the eastern coast of Chiloé, where the island looks across a channel at the smaller islands of the inner sea and, on a clear day, the snowy volcanoes of the mainland, the village of Tenaún gathers around a wooden church that looks almost too bold for its setting. The façade is painted deep blue, scattered with white stars, and topped not with one but with three towers. It is one of the sixteen churches of Chiloé on the World Heritage list, masterpieces of a unique tradition of wooden architecture.
Read the complete Church of Tenaún write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 126 km into the recorded legs you reach Church of Tenaún. Next is Churgh of Caguach.
4. back through Church of Tenaún
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Church of Tenaún write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Church of Tenaún sits at 117 km, about halfway. Next is back through Church of Achao.
5. back through Church of Achao
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Church of Achao write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Church of Achao comes up about 184 km into the recorded legs. Next is Church of Ichuac.
6. Church of Ichuac
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Church of Ichuac write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Church of Ichuac closes the day.
Leg by leg
Church of Ichuac to Church of Achao
Church of Ichuac → Church of Achao is 69 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Church of Achao to Church of Tenaún
Church of Achao → Church of Tenaún is 57 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Church of Tenaún to back through Church of Tenaún
Church of Tenaún → back through Church of Tenaún is 1 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Church of Tenaún to back through Church of Achao
back through Church of Tenaún → back through Church of Achao is 57 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Church of Achao to Church of Ichuac
back through Church of Achao → Church of Ichuac is 69 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.