Tecpán Guatemala - Mountain Bike Tours

Home to the Kaqchikel Maya and a strong German influence Tecpán Guatemala is a mountain-top city with a layered history.

Located at 2200m (7,200ft) in the heart of the highlands Tecpán is situated on a pine-forested region. The area once served as the capital of the Kaqchikel Maya – who built the metropolis of Iximché (1300AD) atop steep cliffs. It is said that the country’s name originated here, from the K’iche’ word Quauhtemallan or “place of many trees”.

The Ruins of Iximché with the volcanoes of Lake Atitlán behind. (2318.6 m)

Mountain Biking in Tecpán Guatemala

The mountain biking in Tecpán Guatemala is characterized by high altitude, cool pine forests – pine needle singletrack and impressive views of the volcanoes of Lake Atitlán. With hundreds of mountain bike trails and tons of climbing it’s no wonder Guatemalan national cross country champion Jhonnathan DeLeon grew up training here.

Tecpán has a strong German / Swiss influence which you can see in the many log cabins and chalet restaurants. The weather here is cool to cold and many of the older houses have fireplaces – this is not your typical Guatemala!

Cerro Tecpán

Rising to 3300m (10,800ft) Cerro Tecpán’s pine-forested slopes are home to hundreds of trails – interconnecting woodlots and fincas. Guatemala’s first highway CA-1 once passed through here following the ridge of the mountain. CA-1 has long been abandoned but provides a fantastic backbone for a trail system that is utilized by horse and bike travel.

Dropping into the canyons. Tecpán, Guatemala (2400.0 m)

Patzún

Below Tecpan lie the barrancos of Patzún, a sprawling web of spidery and steep eroded canyons. The riding here is high, dry and varied. Linking long descents you can connect to the lake with over 2000m (6500ft) of downhill.

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Attractions in Tecpán

Finca Molino Helvetia Tecpán

Ruins of Iximché

The route of the Kaqchikel Maya

Before You Go

Resources

Climate

The climate in Tecpán Guatemala is perfect for mountain biking and is characterized by cool mornings – at or near freezing warming to daytime highs of 16°C (65°F)

Equipment

PHoto gallery

Ruinas de Iximché. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2315.9 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Ruinas de Iximché. Tecpán, Guatemala (2315.9 m)

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Views of Volcán Augua and Fuego from the town of Tecpán, Guatemala. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2485.0 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Views of Volcán Augua and Fuego from the town of Tecpán, Guatemala. Tecpán, Guatemala (2485.0 m)

Ruinas de Ixímche <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2315.9 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Ruinas de Ixímche Tecpán, Guatemala (2315.9 m)

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Ruinas de Ixímche Tecpán, Guatemala (2315.9 m)

Hacienda Tecpan, Guatemala (2260.8 m)

Tecpán, Guatemala (2343.4 m)

Finca Molino Helvetia <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2192.2 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Finca Molino Helvetia Tecpán, Guatemala (2192.2 m)

Godinez, Guatemala (1921.3 m)

Tecpán, Guatemala (2644.6 m)

, Guatemala (2369.2 m)

Hacienda Tecpan <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2260.8 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Hacienda Tecpan Tecpán, Guatemala (2260.8 m)

Tecpan, Guatemala (2644.6 m)

Godinez, Guatemala (1851.6 m)

Tecpan, Guatemala (2530.0 m)

Finca Molino Helvetia <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2194.3 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Finca Molino Helvetia Tecpán, Guatemala (2194.3 m)

Deep canyons separate Tecpán and Lake Atitlán. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2530.0 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Deep canyons separate Tecpán and Lake Atitlán. Tecpán, Guatemala (2530.0 m)

Patzún, Guatemala (2226.1 m)

Finca Molina Helvetia <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2192.6 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Finca Molina Helvetia Tecpán, Guatemala (2192.6 m)

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Tecpan, Guatemala (2519.1 m)

Godinez, Guatemala (2040.6 m)

Tecpán, Guatemala (2400.0 m)

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What an incredible place for a mountain bike race! - Morning of July 16th - Imperío Kaqchikel Race. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2484.8 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

What an incredible place for a mountain bike race! - Morning of July 16th - Imperío Kaqchikel Race. Tecpán, Guatemala (2484.8 m)

The highlands of Guatemala look a lot more like Europe at times - riders pass through a beautiful forested #finca near Tecpán. 🌲👌 <i> Finca Molino Helvetia, Guatemala (2204.9 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

The highlands of Guatemala look a lot more like Europe at times - riders pass through a beautiful forested #finca near Tecpán. 🌲👌 Finca Molino Helvetia, Guatemala (2204.9 m)