MOUNTAIN BIKE.

Eco Parque El Espino – San Salvador.

Tucked into the green edge of San Salvador city, where urban sprawl meets volcanic slopes, lies a hidden haven for adrenaline lovers: Eco Parque El Espino. With trails that wind through coffee plantations, pine forests, and steep descents on the lower flanks of the San Salvador Volcano, this park is where the city’s noise fades into the sound of tires slicing dirt and gears shifting through jungle breeze.

This is not just a trail network — it’s a living playground for mountain bikers, trail runners, and nature lovers alike. Designed with both beginners and seasoned daredevils in mind, El Espino offers everything from rolling loops to technical descents, each corner revealing a new view of the valley or a glimpse of the towering “Boquerón” crater above.

But if El Espino has a soul, its pulse can be traced to riders like Mariana Salazar — a humble Salvadoran athlete who quietly began riding these very trails before taking the international mountain biking scene by storm. Known for her fearless style and raw determination, Mariana became a pioneer for Central American women in downhill racing. By 2018, she was ranking among the world’s best in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, showing the world that greatness could rise from a small country with big hills.

She’s not loud. She’s not flashy. But put her on a bike, and she transforms into a force of nature — the kind of rider who bombs down mountains with more courage than King Kong ever had. And yes, her story started here, beneath the shadows of this volcano.

Ask any local rider — these trails are more than dirt and roots. They’re memories, milestones, and for some of us, even a battle scar or two. (Right, José? Even a “stupid fall” can leave a permanent mark — but that’s how you know it was real.)

Eco Parque El Espino is not just a place to ride. It’s a place to connect — with nature, with community, and with the wild version of yourself that only comes out on two wheels.

If you're planning a visit, Eco Parque El Espino is easily reachable by road. Just follow Google Maps directions.

MOUNTAIN BIKE