Free Morning Ride in Guatapé
Guided backcountry trails, loaner bikes, no fees. Departs 7:30am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from Casa de Ciclistas.
Free
Price
18 km
Distance
2 Hours
Duration
Novice
Skill Level
2 / 6
Fitness Rating
Mon / Wed / Fri
Schedule
Reserve Your Spot
Sign up the day before your ride. Spots are limited and loaner bikes fill fast. Bring your passport if you need a bike.
Meeting point: In front of Casa de Ciclistas, Guatapé
Departure: 7:30am sharp (arrive by 7:15am)
Days: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
What the Free Morning Ride Is
An 18 km guided loop through the backcountry trails behind Guatapé. Novice-friendly, no experience required.
We meet in front of Casa de Ciclistas at 7:30am. Loaner bikes are available at no cost — bring your passport. The ride takes approximately 2 hours and wraps up in time for breakfast.
Marcel or Johana lead most rides personally. This is not a drop-and-go tour. You ride with people who know every corner of these trails.
This Ride Is For You If
- You are in Guatapé and want to see it on a bike, not from a boat
- You have basic fitness and want a genuine morning out
- You are curious about mountain biking but have never tried it off-road
- You want to meet local riders and find out what else is possible
- You are considering a longer ride or expedition and want to feel out MBC first
This Ride Is Not For You If
- You need a full-day guided experience — see paid rides below
- You cannot ride a bicycle at all
- You need a guarantee of no hills — Guatapé has terrain
- You want a race pace — we ride together and nobody gets left behind
What Is Included
- Guided 18 km trail loop through Guatapé backcountry
- Loaner bike and helmet at no cost (passport required as deposit)
- Local guide — Marcel or Johana lead most rides personally
- Route knowledge and safety briefing before departure
- Introduction to the Mountain Bike Colombia community and what else is possible
What Is Not Included
- Breakfast — but Casa de Ciclistas is right there after the ride
- Transport to or from Guatapé
- Multi-day logistics or expedition support
- Personal cycling gear (helmet provided, but shoes and gloves are yours)
Why This Ride Is Free
Mountain Bike Colombia exists to connect people to Colombia — its trails, its communities, and the ecosystem behind what we do. The free ride is how we introduce ourselves.
No pitch, no upsell mid-trail. You ride with us, see Guatapé on a bike, and decide for yourself what comes next. If you want more, we have more. If you just wanted a morning ride, that is enough.
Ready to Go Further?
The free ride is the introduction. These are the rides.
Guatapé Backcountry
Full-day singletrack through the best trails in Guatapé. The natural next step from the free ride.
Mono Cuco Trail
19.5 km of wild Andean singletrack no guidebook has found. Limited to 8 riders. The trail most riders say was the best of their trip.
Max Air Zipline
Clip your bike to the cable and cross a canyon 1,000 ft above the jungle. Half a mile of zipline, then singletrack back to Guatapé.
Pedal and Paddle
MTB trails in the morning, river rafting in the afternoon. The best two activities in the region, back to back in a single day.
After the Ride: Casa de Ciclistas
The free ride ends where it begins — in front of Casa de Ciclistas. Come in for breakfast. Talk to Marcel or Johana. Find out where else the trails go.
Casa de Ciclistas is a restaurant and cyclist community hub in the center of Guatapé, open to everyone. No ride required to visit. It is a good place to ask questions about what to do next — in Guatapé, in Colombia, or in the Amazon.
What People Do After the Ride
- Breakfast at Casa de Ciclistas
- Walk to Dulce Amazónica for ice cream
- Book a paid ride for the next day
- Ask about the Mono Cuco Trail
- Talk to Marcel about a multi-day expedition
- Come back on Friday and do the free ride again
While You Are in Guatapé: Dulce Amazónica
A few minutes from Casa de Ciclistas. 25 exotic ice cream flavors sourced from nomadic Amazon communities. Monthly rotating Indigenous ambassador. Cultural exchange you did not expect to find in Guatapé.
Dulce Amazónica is part of the same ecosystem as Mountain Bike Colombia. The proceeds from the free ride community — and every paid ride — are reinvested into making Dulce and the Amazon Cultural Embassy possible.
What Riders Say
Add Google review embed or pull quotes here.
Questions About the Free Morning Ride
Where do we meet?
In front of Casa de Ciclistas in Guatapé. Look for the bikes. Arrive by 7:15am if you need a loaner bike — the ride departs at 7:30am sharp.
Do I need my own bike?
No. Loaner bikes and helmets are available at no cost. Bring your passport as a deposit. Bikes are limited, so reserve in advance to secure one.
What fitness level do I need?
Fitness rating 2 out of 6. If you can walk comfortably for 2 hours, you can do this ride. The trail has some hills but nothing technical. Nobody gets left behind.
What should I bring?
Passport (for loaner bike), water, sun protection, and closed-toe shoes. Light layers for the morning — Guatapé mornings are cool even in dry season.
Is it really free?
Yes. No fees, no mandatory tips, no sales pitch on the trail. If you enjoyed it, a Google review is the best way to say thanks.
How do I reserve?
Use the booking form above or message us on WhatsApp the day before your ride. Spots are limited and loaner bikes fill fast — same-day reservations are not guaranteed a bike.
What happens after the ride?
Most riders head to Casa de Ciclistas for breakfast. It is a good place to ask questions about other rides, what to do in Guatapé, and what the rest of Colombia looks like on a bike. Marcel or Johana will be there.
Can I book a paid ride on the same day?
Yes. Talk to Marcel or Johana after the ride over breakfast. If there is a spot available on an upcoming ride, we can sort it out on the spot.
Is Dulce Amazónica connected to Mountain Bike Colombia?
Yes. Dulce Amazónica is part of the same ecosystem. Proceeds from MBC rides — including the community built around the free ride — are reinvested into Dulce and the Amazon Cultural Embassy. The free ride is the entry point. Dulce and the embassy are what the proceeds build.
Reserve Your Spot
Sign up the day before. Spots are limited. Loaner bikes fill fast. Meet us in front of Casa de Ciclistas at 7:15am.