Peru is one of the first countries to have the best mountain bike routes or singletrail; for these reasons, it is divided into three geographical areas: coast, highlands, and jungle.

The places where there are many bike paths are located in the highlands; the Andes of Peru, located in the regions of Cajamarca, Huaraz, Huanuco, Cerro de Pasco, Huancayo, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Abancay, Arequipa, Moquegua, Puno and Cusco.

In particular, the imperial city of Cusco has countless mountain bike paths; natural singletrail paths that were used by the Inca culture in the past; the great Inca trail; today I will tell you all about the best bike tours in Peru.

The best mountain bike trails in Perú

To go cycling in Peru, you don’t need to be a professional, because depending on the city you are in, you can find places to ride your bike that cater to your technical level and physical condition.

For example, if you are in the capital of Peru, Lima, the routes are through the city’s most popular and safe districts like Miraflores, Barranco, Chorrillos, San Isidro, and the historic center of Cusco.

Miraflores Bike Tour – Lima

This bike activity in Miraflores is very safe and considered basic level, as the route you ride on is a bike path and most sections are flat and at sea level, so there isn’t much elevation.

Places you can visit on this bike tour include:

Love Park Kennedy Park Larcomar Miraflores Parish Virgen Milagrosa Parish Miraflores Municipal Palace

Barranco and Chorrillos Bike Tour – Lima

Another activity to do in Lima, considered basic level, as guided stops are made at attractions in these districts such as:

Barranco Boardwalk Saenz Peña Promenade Barranco Central Park Contemporary Art Museum Artistic streets San Francisco Art Gallery Square Contemporary Art Gallery Morro Solar route on bike

This activity is located in the district of Chorrillos at an altitude of 300m. Declared a Historical Monument of Peru in 1977, this place was the scene of heroic battles during the Battle of Chorrillos in the second Pacific War.

Today, this place is a popular cycling spot, with many local cyclists climbing Morro Solar every weekend. The approximate distance to climb is between 4-5km uphill on asphalt and dirt roads.

The uphill section is considered intermediate level for those climbing this route for the first time. At the top, you will find some monuments such as:

The sanctuary of the Virgen del Morro The iron cross, a tribute to Pope John Paul II Planetarium, an astronomy center for scientific research Christ of the Pacific statue Antenna for television channel repeater signal

These modern monuments have attracted many tourists as well as cyclists and beach enthusiasts. In Chorrillos, you will find famous beaches like La Herradura and La Chira.

Lima Downhill trail – Perú

If you enjoy the adventure of downhill biking, you can do the downhill route in Chorrillos, located on Morro Solar, a favorite spot for local Lima riders.

The downhill path covers a distance of 5 km, but you can combine this with a ride from Miraflores center, visiting tourist spots and ascending to Morro Solar before connecting to the downhill route.

For this, we recommend bringing:

Small backpack Safety equipment: full-face helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves Sunscreen Sunglasses

The downhill route features paths with large and small jumps, curves, slopes, and more.

Cusco: Mountain Biking Paradise

Cusco, located in southern Peru, is known for being home to the seventh wonder of the world, Machu Picchu, as well as having many mountain biking trails.

Many of these trails were used by the Inca civilization and are now partly restored and protected by the Ministry of Culture. One of the most famous routes is the Inca Trail, although it is primarily for trekking rather than biking.

The rest of the Inca trails can be appreciated in some sections, and many of these trails are now used for downhill and enduro mountain biking in the surroundings of Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Here we share the best mountain biking routes in the Peruvian Andes.

Cusco Downhill “El Pastor”

One of the best mountain biking routes in Cusco, located an hour’s drive from the city.

To ride this trail, you need a good mountain biking technique, a professional full-suspension bike, safety gear like helmet, gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads, and repair tools.

The trail features vertical sections, rocky gardens, curves, eucalyptus forests, and narrow paths.

To reach the starting point, it’s best to drive there, as the uphill pedaling can exhaust you before enjoying the downhill ride.

We don’t recommend going alone or without proper preparation. You can watch videos of this downhill trail in the link provided above.

• Type of route: downhill MTB
• distance: 7.5 km
• Maximum altitude: 4,200m
• Minimum altitude: 3,100m
• Technical level: advanced
• Physical condition level: advanced
• Negative elevation: total descent is 1,000m.
• Duration of descent: depends on each cyclist, a professional cyclist can descend in 18 minutes and a normal one in 30 to 40 minutes to 1 hour.

🟢Watch video

Enduro Cusco “El brujo”

This trail has some sections of Inca paths that make it more exciting than other mountain bike routes in Cusco; most of the path sections are very technical.

You will find Inca paths with steps, vertical sections, small climbs, rock gardens, and the most exciting part: very technical curves.

The “El brujo” route is located south of the city of Cusco, an hour’s drive away; we also recommend not to go to the starting point by pedal power alone.

What should I bring?

No matter how much of a professional you are in mountain biking, we recommend bringing a full-suspension bike, full-face helmet, gloves, knee pads, goggles, elbow pads, small backpack, and tools.

• Trail type: enduro MTB
• Distance: 7.5 km
• Maximum altitude: 4,200m
• Minimum altitude: 3,100m
• Technical level: advanced
• Physical condition level: advanced
• Negative slope: the total descent is 1,000m.
• Duration of descent: it depends on each cyclist, a professional can do it in 20 minutes, while a regular cyclist can take 30 to 40 minutes to 1 hour.

🟢Watch video

Downhill Cusco “Yuncaypata”

One of the most classic downhill routes for local riders in Cusco, located just 30 minutes by vehicle from the city.

The highest point of this trail is at 3,750m. and you can descend through sections of vertical paths, steep ramps, small jumps, and fun curves.

For this singletrail, it is recommended to use a full-suspension bike, full-face helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, small backpack for water, and mountain bike tools.

• Type of route: Downhill MTB
• Distance: 5.5 km
• Maximum Altitude: 3,750m
• Minimum Altitude: 3,200m
• Technical Level: Advanced
• Physical Condition Level: Advanced
• Negative Slope: The total descent is 5.5m
• Descent Duration: It depends on each cyclist, a professional cyclist descends in 15 minutes and a normal one in 20 to 30 minutes.

🟢Watch video

Recommendations for mountain biking in the Andes of Cusco:

• You need to be acclimatized, it is recommended to do mountain biking on your last days of vacation in Peru.
• Have experience in cycling
• Have an intermediate to advanced physical condition.

🟢Watch video