Mountain Biking | Living the Life in Ecuador
Feel the momentum as you ride over roots and rocks, or hurtle through downhill trails. The terrain of Puerto Lopez, Cuenca, and Yunguilla Valley in Ecuador awaits.
Puerto Lopez
The coastal village of Puerto Lopez gives you spectacular views of the Pacific. The dirt roads naturally turn slippery during the wet season, so exercise more caution during this time. A trail leads north to Agua Blanca, a small community that harbors archeological sites and a sulfur spring.
Puerto Lopez is also a gateway to the Machalilla National Park Reserve, which is about 14.3 kilometers away. Here you can go mountain biking through the tropical dry forest that covers most of the park’s estimated 60,000 hectares.
Cuenca
Not ready to conquer off-road trails? Situated in the highlands of Ecuador, the historic city of Cuenca is ideal for urban mountain biking. Make use of the bi-directional biking lanes at Solano Avenue, or go on an estimated 20-mile biking tour of the city that lasts all of four hours.
There are plenty of sights in Cuenca, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wonderfully preserved colonial churches and homes are scattered throughout the city. The Tomebamba River is also a sight to behold as you cycle past.
Yunguilla Valley
Located south of Cuenca, this subtropical valley is home to lush vegetation and native wildlife. The splendid El Chorro waterfall just outside the town of Giron also makes the valley a must visit. Here, terrain elevation ranges from approximately 4,500 feet at the Santa Isabel side to 7,000 feet on the Giron side.
Get a rush of adrenaline at the La Paz downhill trail, which begins at the village of Portetillos and descends about 1,700 meters to Sulupali Grande in Yunguilla Valley.
Mountain biking in Ecuador
Whether you decide to go on a guided mountain biking tour or map out your own trail, Ecuador will give you an outdoor experience like no other. You’ll find trails and routes that range from easy to challenging.
If you’re up for other outdoor activities, then you might also want to try dirt bike riding in Ecuador.
