El Cicloturismo como Práctica Sostenible en los Atractivos Naturales y Culturales del Cantón Pastaza: Tres Casos de Estudio

This article analyzes bicycle tourism as a sustainable alternative that promotes health, economic regeneration, and cultural appreciation in the Pastaza canton, Ecuador. Three routes are studied: Pomona, Veracruz, and Puyo, selected for their natural and cultural attractions, accessibility, and conditions for bicycle tourism. The methodology used includes criteria such as the cyclability index, route difficulty, and tourist appeal, based on technical studies and tools such as Wikiloc. This is a non-experimental, mixed-approach, qualitative, and descriptive research approach. The Pomona route stands out for its high cyclability and 20 tourist attractions, many of them managed by indigenous communities that offer beautiful cultural and natural experiences. Veracruz has moderate cyclability and a strong heritage component, with tangible cultural assets and tourist services. Puyo, as the cantonal capital, offers an urban route with mixed attractions and services that integrate culture, nature, and recreation, unique in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The study concludes that bicycle tourism in Pastaza has the potential to strengthen community tourism, improve local quality of life, and promote environmental conservation. The routes analyzed offer suitable conditions for cyclists with acceptable physical fitness levels, and their development can be consolidated through public policies, community networks, and participatory tourism management.