More Than Dirt: Building Trails That Build Communities

In the remote, rugged highlands of Peru, a quiet revolution is taking shape — one built not on politics or promises, but on dirt, tools, and the power of community trust.

More Than Dirt represents far more than a film title; it embodies a movement rooted in the belief that trail building extends beyond creating space for bikes to creating genuine opportunity for pride, purpose, and people. At Backslope Tools, we've long believed in the transformative power of trails to reshape both landscapes and lives, and the story unfolding in Peru offers a compelling glimpse into what becomes possible when you put quality trail building tools in capable hands and let the terrain guide the way.

A Trail Is a Beginning, Not an End

The village of Olleros has discovered that trail building can become a wellspring of hope and economic opportunity. Where locals once faced limited access to sustainable income—particularly the youth—many are now learning comprehensive skills in professional trail design, construction, and maintenance that create immediate employment while building toward careers in Peru's growing adventure tourism sector.

One of the project leaders captured this broader vision perfectly: "We don't just see these trails as something for mountain bikers — they are for the future of this village." This sentiment resonates throughout the community, where trail crew members take genuine pride in their work. As one builder expressed, "It's an honor to build something that represents your home."

Trail Tools as Tools for Change

Rather than importing outside labor or imposing external ideas, this project succeeded through meaningful collaboration. Working alongside Peruvian trail specialists and international volunteers, local workers received comprehensive training in IMBA trail building best practices covering everything from proper drainage techniques and grade reversals to cultural sensitivity and long-term stewardship principles.

The work proved both hands-on and deeply personal, with every stroke of pick, rake, and shovel serving not just to shape terrain, but to forge community identity. As one trail builder reflected in the accompanying video, "We're not just moving rocks — we're moving forward."

Cultural Roots Run Deep

Perhaps the most moving aspect of this story lies in how thoughtfully the trails honor the region's rich Quechua cultural heritage. Long before mountain bikes existed, ancient footpaths connected villages, farms, and sacred places throughout the Andes, creating a network of meaning that transcended mere transportation.

Instead of bulldozing toward a disconnected future, the More Than Dirt team ensured their work built respectfully upon the past. "These trails are stories," one local elder explains in the video. "When people ride here, they're riding history." This reverence appears throughout the project, from signage and trail names to route designs that reflect indigenous heritage, demonstrating how modern recreation can honor ancient wisdom.

Riding Toward Economic Empowerment

As adventure tourism continues rising throughout Peru, positioning Olleros as a destination for high-quality, sustainable trail riding has begun attracting riders from across the globe. These visitors now spend money in local guesthouses, dine in family-run restaurants, and hire trained guides — often the same skilled builders who crafted the trails they're experiencing.

The transformation has been remarkable, as one community member observed: "Before, tourists passed through. Now they stay." This shift ensures that tourism revenue remains local, skills stay within the community, and young people can envision futures that don't require leaving their ancestral home. Research shows that outdoor recreation creates significant economic impact in rural communities, and Olleros is becoming a prime example of this potential.

Conservation by Connection

Trail building's often-overlooked impact lies in how it connects people to land in transformative ways, sparking genuine desire to protect and preserve these spaces. The builders in Peru have evolved beyond their roles as laborers to become dedicated guardians of their landscape, applying Leave No Trace principles throughout their work.

Their trails receive careful design to minimize erosion, preserve existing vegetation, and manage water runoff effectively. By investing in sustainable trail building techniques from the outset, the project avoids the common environmental damage that results from poorly planned routes. As one crew leader explained, "We build for generations. Not for a season."

A Global Model, Rooted in Local Pride

The More Than Dirt initiative, supported by NGOs and passionate riders worldwide, demonstrates how the mountain biking community can meaningfully give back to the places it loves to explore. However, this isn't a story about outsiders "saving" a community — it's about empowering locals to define and build their own future on their own terms through sustainable tourism development.

This approach mirrors our philosophy at Backslope Tools: effective trail work begins with listening, learning, and leaving something genuinely better behind. Whether we're building in the Pacific Northwest, the Rockies, or the Andes, our goals remain consistent — creating durable trails through dignified work that generates lasting positive impact.

Final Thoughts: The Trail Ahead

What's happening in Olleros provides both inspiration and instruction. As trail builders, land managers, and outdoor industry members, we perform our best work when we look beyond the berms and switchbacks to ask deeper, more meaningful questions: Who truly benefits from this trail? Who built it, and under what conditions? What legacy will it leave for future generations?

In Peru, these answers ring clear: the trails belong to the people who call this place home. They were built with genuine care, not just for the immediate riding experience, but for the community's long-term future. That's a vision worth riding toward, wherever our trails may lead.

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📽️ Watch the full story on Pinkbike: More Than Dirt 📷 Photography by @Pinkbike // Film by the More Than Dirt team