Running in Cusco: Trail Running, Local Communities and a Traditional Huatia

ReEnergize Cusco
3h
2 min read

Some of the best experiences you can have in Cusco happen when you step away from the busy streets and head into the mountains that surround the city.

Today was one of those days.

We had the pleasure of taking John out on one of our favourite trail running routes above Cusco, combining beautiful Andean trails, local communities, and a cultural experience that few visitors ever get to see.

Running in Cusco is about much more than distance or pace. At 3,400 metres above sea level, every step is a reminder that you’re running somewhere truly unique. The air is thinner, the landscapes are vast, and within minutes of leaving the city you can find yourself on ancient trails used for centuries by local farmers and shepherds.

Trail Running Above Cusco

Our run began near the archaeological site of Tambomachay, from here the route climbs gently into the hills. The first few kilometres are usually taken at an easy pace, allowing the body to warm up and adjust to the altitude. Many runners prefer to walk sections of the initial climb before the trail begins to flow more naturally through the countryside.

Visiting the Community of Pucara

After five kilometres on the trail we arrived at the small farming community of Pucara.

Life here moves at a very different pace. Families work small plots of land, growing potatoes, corn and other crops that have sustained communities in the Andes for generations. Today we were invited to share a huatia, a traditional Andean earth oven that dates back to pre-Inca times.

Sharing a Traditional Huatia

Farmers build a small oven from heated earth, placing potatoes inside before covering them with soil. As the heat builds, the potatoes cook slowly inside the natural oven.

While waiting for the huatia to cook, we spent time talking with the farmers and learning about their daily lives. We even helped cut some grass for the animals — a small task that gave us a glimpse into the rhythm of work that shapes life in these communities.

Experiences like this are what make running tours in Cusco different from a typical hike or city tour. You’re not just passing through the landscape — you’re connecting with the people who live there.