Quick Answer
On Epic MTB Maras Trail, is a natural descent awaits in the Sacred Valley, starting smooth and scenic, moving into a moderately technical section with loose rock and natural turns, and finishing by the Maras Salt Flats. It’s ideal for beginner to lower-intermediate riders, as long as you’re comfortable with progressive braking, line choice, cornering support, and simple skills like unweighting the front wheel over bumps and maintaining balance on loose terrain
Epic MTB Maras Trail is a descent that feels real, not staged. Starting around 3,700 m, the mountain sets the pace with hardpack, loose rock, and natural turns shaped by time and local use. No built jumps, no polished berms, just pure terrain.
Want to tackle one of the most technical trails in the Sacred Valley? Discover our day tours in Cusco designed for riders seeking real enduro in the Andes.
This is not a bike park line. It is a true Sacred Valley trail for riders who want authentic mountain biking in Cusco and a natural route that rewards smart line choice, calm control, and quick adaptation. Ready to see why Maras 1 stands out? Keep reading.
The calm before the drop in Maras, where the view is huge and the descent is even bigger.
What is the MTB Maras Trail?
Epic MTB Maras Trail is the best-kept secret for those looking to get started in Cusco mountain biking without losing authenticity. Located in the ancestral community of Maras, this 5.4-kilometer route is everything opposite to artificial trails. Here, every curve has a reason, every obstacle tells a millennial story.
Unlike commercial bike parks, with calculated berms and prefabricated jumps, MTB Maras Trail follows the ancient water and livestock routes, created unknowingly by valley inhabitants. The descent flows naturally, and the famous Maras Salt Flats serve as a backdrop, offering one of the most spectacular landscapes to close the ride.
This trail has inspired “La Estampida Maras”, the most authentic MTB event in the Sacred Valley, where riders from all over Peru celebrate the pure connection between bicycle, mountain, and ancestral culture.
Where is it Located and How to Get There?
Epic MTB Maras Trail is strategically located in the Maras community, part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas ecosystem, where the puna meets the temperate valley creating a unique microclimate that has allowed the existence of the famous salt flats for over 500 years.
GPS coordinates for the start: -13.3825, -72.1547 (Aywayro Viewpoint)
Access from Cusco Center (90 minutes total)
First stage – Paved road (50 minutes): From Saphi Street in Cusco’s historic center, take the route to Chinchero via completely paved road. The journey crosses authentic Andean communities and offers panoramic views of the Vilcanota mountain range.
Second stage – Dirt road (40 minutes): From Maras village, ascend via compact dirt road to Aywayro hill. This section requires a 4×4 vehicle or high pickup truck, especially during wet season.
Important: No special permits required, but GPS is essential as the route isn’t signposted. Mobile signal is available throughout the ride, though it may be intermittent in some descent areas.
Dusty switchbacks in Maras, where the corner only feels smooth when your technique is dialed.
A front wheel lift on the Maras ridgeline, where balance and timing keep the ride flowing.
What Makes the Epic MTB Maras Trail Unique?
- Andean Authenticity: Singletracks naturally created by Quechua shepherds, without artificial intervention or commercial modification
- Natural Progression: Organic design that allows beginner riders to gradually build confidence, from smooth flow to technical sections
- Epic Backdrop: Spectacular finish passing by the Maras Salt Flats, creating a unique visual contrast between adrenaline and cultural heritage
- Visual Versatility: Perfect terrain for content capture, from drone panoramics to GoPro POV with unique cultural elements
Epic MTB Maras Trail combines ideal technical progression for beginners with the visual spectacle that experienced riders demand, all framed in a cultural environment you won’t find in any bike park in the world.
Detailed Route Description
Section 1: easy warm up to settle into the altitude. Section 2: the hardest, with fast flow and natural berms that demand full control. Section 3: blind curves and big visuals near the salt flats, watch for foot traffic.
Route Key Points
| KM | Point | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Aywayro Viewpoint | 360° panoramic view of Vilcanota mountain range |
| 1.9 | Imperial View | Complete Sacred Valley panoramic, mandatory photo point |
| 2.4 | Flow Zone | Perfect natural berms, ideal for rehydration |
| 4.2 | Ecosystem Change | Puna to valley transition, notable vegetation change |
| 5.0 | Salt Flats Access | CAUTION: Pedestrian and tourist traffic zone |
Recommended Equipment
Specific Bicycle
- Suspension: Full suspension with 140-160mm travel, configured for mixed stone-dirt terrain
- Brakes: Hydraulic discs with semi-metallic pads, minimum 160mm front power
- Wheels: 27.5″ or 29″ tubeless with mixed compound, reduced pressure for traction on loose stone
- Drivetrain: 1×11 or 1×12 with wide cassette, chain with anti-corrosion treatment for Andean humidity
Protection Equipment
- Full-face helmet with good ventilation for altitude
- Goggles with interchangeable lenses (intense Andean sun)
- Articulated elbow and knee pads for technical sections
- Full-finger gloves with reinforced grip
- Lightweight back protection recommended
Technical tip
Altitude reduces brake performance due to lower air density. Adjust braking power and maintain greater safety distances.
Feel the Maras downhill energy as two riders drop in and let technique set the limit.
Safety and Precautions
Mandatory Conditions
- GPS with preloaded route (no official signage)
- Minimum group of 2 riders or certified MTB guide
- Basic kit: tube, multitool, water (1.5L minimum)
- Itinerary communication to third parties before departure
Climate Considerations
Dry Season (May-September):
- Ideal conditions with compact dirt
- Excellent visibility for photography
Recommendation: Ideal for beginner riders
Wet Season (October-April):
- Clay terrain that hinders progress
- Risk of mud accumulation on components
Recommendation: Only for experienced riders with adequate equipment
Comparison with Other Sacred Valley Routes
Epic MTB Maras Trail vs Abra Lares MTB Trail
- MTB Maras Trail: Cultural focus with salt flats finish, ideal for beginners
- Abra Lares MTB Trail: Have basic handling skills and want to make the jump to natural enduro.
Epic MTB Maras Trail vs Moray Downhill
- MTB Maras Trail: Natural flow with cultural elements, easier access
- La Máxima Enduro MTB: Exceptional combination of extreme altitude and intense elevation drop.
Digital Resources and Documentation
Useful Links
- View route on Strava
- Download GPX file
- Complete POV video
- Photo gallery
Must-Have Photo Points
- Km 0.0: Aywayro Viewpoint – Panoramic mountain range view with bike in foreground
- Km 1.9: Imperial View – Perfect Sacred Valley frame with rider in action
- Km 5.0: Maras Salt Flats – Cultural contrast between modern MTB and ancestral heritage
Ready to Conquer the Most Authentic Flow in the Sacred Valley?
Epic MTB Maras Trail isn’t for those seeking artificial thrills, but for riders who value respect for the territory and connection with millennial cultures. Perfect as a prelude to a guided mountain bike tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu or a bike tour through Sacred Valley Inca ruins
If you prefer the crunch of volcanic stone to prefabricated obstacles, MTB Maras Trail is waiting for you. This ride isn’t just an experience, it’s a journey through Sacred Valley history. With Peru Biking Tours, you’ll experience conscious mountain biking, with technique developed in harmony with the environment.
Ready to feel ancestral salt in every pedal stroke? Epic MTB Maras Trail awaits you, where the best routes are discovered, not built.
Plan your MTB experience in Cusco
MTB Day Tours in Cusco
If you want to explore routes like Lamay Sapacto with the right logistics, local support, and suitable trail selection, check out our MTB Day Tours in Cusco.
Multi-Day MTB Tours
For more comprehensive experiences that connect several valleys and high mountain routes, discover our multi-day MTB Tours.
