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. 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.

Located at 2200m (7,200ft) in the heart of the highlands Tecpán Guatemala 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. Tecpán, Guatemala (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 volcános of Lake Atitlán and Antigua.

Cero Tecpán rises to 3300m (10,800ft) directly behind the town. It’s pine-forested slopes are home to hundreds of trails – which interconnect woodlots and fincas. Guatemala’s first highway CA-1 passed through here following the ridge of the mountain but has largely been abandoned and is used today by horse and bikes.

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!

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.

9/10

Attractions in Tecpán

Finca Molino Helvetia

Ruins of Iximché

Riding 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

Nothing unsafe about this bridge. <i> Chirijuyu, Guatemala (2215.7 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Nothing unsafe about this bridge. Chirijuyu, Guatemala (2215.7 m)

Volcán de Fuego lets of a major erruption as seen from Tecpán. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2321.3 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Volcán de Fuego lets of a major erruption as seen from Tecpán. Tecpán, Guatemala (2321.3 m)

Ruinas de Iximché With the volcanoes of Lake Atitlán behind. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2318.6 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Ruinas de Iximché With the volcanoes of Lake Atitlán behind. Tecpán, Guatemala (2318.6 m)

Mountain views above the town of Tecpán. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2516.7 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Mountain views above the town of Tecpán. Tecpán, Guatemala (2516.7 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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Rad volcanic views en route to Lake Atitlán. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2400.0 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Rad volcanic views en route to Lake Atitlán. Tecpán, Guatemala (2400.0 m)

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, Guatemala (2369.2 m)

Dropping into the canyons. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2400.0 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

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

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Tecpan, Guatemala (2530.0 m)

Tecpán, Guatemala (2644.6 m)

, Guatemala (2640.4 m)

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Tecpán, Guatemala (2732.9 m)

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Tecpán, Guatemala (2400.0 m)

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Tecpan, Guatemala (2644.6 m)

Patzún, Guatemala (2229.2 m)

Ruinas de Ixímche Tecpán, Guatemala (2315.9 m)

Forest bridges <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2185.4 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Forest bridges Tecpán, Guatemala (2185.4 m)

Traditional wood crafts <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2400.0 m)</i> <p>Photo By: Jose P. Jelkmann ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Traditional wood crafts Tecpán, Guatemala (2400.0 m)

Vistas. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2594.9 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Vistas. Tecpán, Guatemala (2594.9 m)

Godinez, Guatemala (2040.6 m)

Godinez, Guatemala (1952.7 m)

Godinez, Guatemala (1851.6 m)

Patzun, Guatemala (2217.1 m)

Tecpán, Guatemala (2757.4 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)

Finca Molino Helvetia <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2240.1 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Finca Molino Helvetia Tecpán, Guatemala (2240.1 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)

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)

, Guatemala ()

Ruinas de Ixímche Tecpán, Guatemala (2315.9 m)

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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Iglesia vista through the forest. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2200.5 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Iglesia vista through the forest. Tecpán, Guatemala (2200.5 m)

Finca Molino Helvetia Tecpán, Guatemala (2240.1 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)

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)

, Guatemala (2276.9 m)

Tecpán, Guatemala (2334.7 m)

Tecpán, Guatemala (2343.4 m)

Patzún, Guatemala (2229.2 m)

Tecpán, Guatemala (2663.4 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)

Godinez, Guatemala (1921.3 m)

Sunrise over the panamerican highway. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2368.0 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Sunrise over the panamerican highway. Tecpán, Guatemala (2368.0 m)

Tecpán, Guatemala (2400.0 m)

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Into the hobbit tunnel... <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2233.4 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Into the hobbit tunnel... Tecpán, Guatemala (2233.4 m)

Patzún, Guatemala (2256.8 m)

Hacienda Tecpan, Guatemala (2260.8 m)

Tecpán is a mountainous region famous for its deep forests and diary operations. <i> Tecpán, Guatemala (2295.7 m)</i> <p>Photo: Brendan James ©2018 MTBguatemala.com</p>

Tecpán is a mountainous region famous for its deep forests and diary operations. Tecpán, Guatemala (2295.7 m)

Tecpán, Guatemala (2400.0 m)

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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)