The best road cycling routes around Mars

There are over 100 road cycling routes available around Mars, offering a wide range of experiences for different skill levels. The komoot community has mapped 115 distinct routes for you to explore.

The routes around Mars cater to various abilities. You'll find 6 easy routes, 49 moderate routes, and 60 difficult routes, ensuring options for both casual rides and challenging expeditions across the Martian landscape.

Yes, several loop routes are available for road cyclists. For example, the difficult Col de Clavière - 1088 m – Saint-Agrève Village loop from Gare de Saint-Agrève offers extensive climbing and panoramic views. Another option is the Col des Nonières (671 m) – Saint-Martin-de-Valamas loop from Saint-Julien-d'Intres, which leads through volcanic formations.

Road cycling on Mars offers an unparalleled experience due to its lower gravity (about one-third of Earth's), which makes cyclists feel lighter. The monumental landscapes, such as the vast Valles Marineris and towering Olympus Mons, provide truly alien and awe-inspiring vistas unlike anywhere on Earth. The sheer scale and untouched terrain create an ultimate frontier for exploration.

You can expect to traverse a reddish, dusty surface with vast, open plains. Notable features include the colossal Valles Marineris canyon system, the immense shield volcano Olympus Mons, and the extensive Tharsis volcanic plateau. Regions like Gale Crater with Mount Sharp also offer geological exploration through layered sediments.

The Martian landscape itself is a continuous scenic marvel. Routes often pass through areas with unique geological formations and offer expansive views of the vast plains and distant volcanoes. While specific viewpoints are not listed, the entire experience of cycling across Mars's varied terrain provides unparalleled vistas, especially around features like Valles Marineris or the slopes of Olympus Mons.

The primary challenges for road cyclists on Mars include the extremely thin atmosphere, harsh environmental conditions like radiation, and extreme temperatures ranging from -195°C to 20°C. Specialized space suits and cycling equipment are essential, which would significantly impact movement and balance. Any cycling would likely require engineered environments or stable, multi-wheeled vehicles for safety.

The road cycling routes around Mars are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 50 reviews. Cyclists often praise the unique challenge and the awe-inspiring, monumental landscapes that make for an unforgettable extraterrestrial adventure.

Yes, Mars offers several challenging long-distance routes for advanced riders. The Col de Mézilhac (1,119 m) – Col du Gerbier de Jonc loop from Gare de Saint-Agrève is a difficult 107.2 km route with significant elevation gain, perfect for experienced cyclists seeking an epic journey.

While the primary attractions on Mars are its natural geological wonders, some routes may pass near points of interest. For example, you might encounter structures like the Viaduc de Chabranç or the Iron Bridge of Saint-Martin-de-Valamas, offering glimpses of potential future infrastructure or historical markers.

While many routes are challenging, there are 6 easy road cycling routes available for beginners or those looking for a less strenuous ride. These routes typically feature gentler slopes and shorter distances, allowing for a more relaxed introduction to Martian cycling.

The lower gravity on Mars means cyclists will feel lighter, and bikes will tip over slower, potentially making balancing easier. However, this also translates to less speed on downhills and requires more effort to achieve high speeds on flat terrain. Cyclists would need to adapt to these altered dynamics.