El Zur MTB park

Another day on the purpose built trails out at El Zur.


It's a whomping 11kms up to the top, but a blissful 25km+., back down on curvy, flowing love.


The trails wind their way through beautiful old growth cloud forests full of berms and bird life.


Old Town Outfitters helped design and build the trails and has the lock on sending groups there. So if you want to ride El Zur give the lads at Old Town a call and we'll get ya out on the trails.


- A last parting shot coming out of the clouds across one of the hanging bridges. Super cool!

Western Highlands Mayan Trail

Hiking with the Maya

 This past weekend we had the luck to head out to the western highlands just above and beyond lake Atitlan and trek three days to Quetzaltenango.  The route retraces ancient old footpathes that we once part of the super highways and trade routes that connected the Tzutujuil Maya of the Lake Atitlan basin with the Mam Speaking Maya of the Quetzaltenango valley.

 The trail itself is anywhere from three to five days of super scenic remote backpacking through forgotten villages, deep river canyons and altiplano.  Much of the walk is up above 10,000ft on a ridge that seperates the two areas.  Off to the west side of the ridge is Santa Maria volcano and the towns of Zunil, Almolonga and Xela. Off to the east you are looking out over Atitlan her three majestic volcanoes and all the way back to the volcanoes that surround Antigua. 

This hike is an opportunity to get far back into the Guatemalan backcountry.  It is pretty much guaranteed that you will not see anyone else on the trails other than the locals who still use them as primary sources of transport and livelihood.  

As an added bonus to the already amazing walk we summit Zunil volcano with its long beautiful approach ridge. After all this hiking its nice to know that the end of the trail, literally, are the healing waters of the Fuentes Georginas hotsprings. We dump our packs grab a cold beer and slip into the springs to heal sore muscles.

The perfect way to end a perfect walk.
For more information on this or any other of our treks stop in the shop or check us out online
See ya on the trail!

Acatenango Volcano

Acatenango Volcano Overnight

Antigua Valley Loop Mountain Bike Tour

The Antigua valley is blessed with sweet single-track just outside of town. This is one our our favorite new rides that makes a loop around the Antigua valley high on the ridge tops above town.


The trip starts from the Old Town Outfitters shop and climbs steadily out of the valley.



The two day ride or one day cruncher is nearly 70 miles of all day technical mountain bike fun.




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Acatenango overnight

Perhaps the best two day adventure trip in Guatemala, Acatenango is a pure trekkers peak.


The trail winds it's way through five distinct climatic zones on its way to the summit.



The last push up the cone is a tough scree climb but the views from the top are unparalleled. You can see the entire Guatemalan ring of fire including nearby Agua and Pacaya volcanoes as well as neighboring active Fuego volcano.



Waking up on the summit of acatenango at sunrise is an extra added treat. Come by the Old Town Outfitters office and book your trip today!
- See ya on the trail!

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Linking two worlds

This is an epic unsupported ride that connects two different Guatemalan states, Mayan cultural groups and mountain chains together. Not to mention is a monster ride.


An early morning leave from the friendly confines of el Unicornio Azul takes us across altiplano cowboy country.


The views are big, the valleys deep and the singletrack, well pretty world class.


At the top of the "horseshoe", the connector piece of technical trail drops us from the state of Huehuetenango to that of Quiche.


After getting beaten up of this rocky descent we stop in for a much needed siesta along the rio palop for lunch.


At last after a couple mega valley descent/ ascents we arrive at the "Hacienda San Antonio", home to Guate's best cheese and a rowdy herd of blue heelers.


Morning in Acul, at the cheese farm


Little Switzerland in Guatemala.

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Los Cuchumantanes

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