With single track trails that have you hugging to the sides of cliffs and challenging altitudes of up to 4,300 metres providing days of 2000m worth of descent as you plummet towards green valleys, Peru's Sacred Valley is a great place for a proper biking adventure. On goat tracks and the old Inca trails you'll dodge llamas and alpacas as you navigate Inca staircases cut into the sides of mountains, passing some of the great monuments of this ancient civilisation.

There isn't much choice of riding route with limited pathways connecting the small villages in the region the only real roads here, but with no sign posting it's still easy to get lost (on our most recent trip we got lost and were rescued by a local lad who guided us through a field - bikes and all - before getting us back on track, he was friendly and bemused by us with our bikes and gear.). If you base yourself in the valley you will have an easier time of the altitude, but this is a trip for fit, experienced riders looking for challenging riding over tricky, breathless terrain. You need to plan to be here for at least two weeks because it will take you time to acclimatise, you don't need to rough it though, you can stay in local haciendas or small rural hotel accommodation which will help you to get the flavour of the place while still having a soft bed and a warm meal and shower after a days exhausting riding.

If you're not feeling quite up to the challenge of the foothills of the Andes you can stay below 2,500m where you'll have less trouble with the altitude and plan a combination of biking day trips and treks.

This is a clean, friendly, well organised country not yet cheapened by too much tourism, yes, you'll find plenty of local markets but your 'no thanks' will be respected and you'll find people who are proud of their country and heritage.

As well as the great zig-zagging riding conditions if you're interested in the Inca civilisation the local culture will be a highlight - you're not too far from Machu Picchu either. Go with guides who have top knowledge of the local region now and in the past for the best experience.

Single track trip in Peru through Saddle Skedaddle.

Written by  Andrew Straw.

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