Countryside, Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Cascada at San Gabriel Etla

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With group bike rides happening every Sunday year around, it is quite unusual to latch onto a route and destination never explored before. Such was the case on this day in the fall of 2026. Seven cyclists – including a visitor from Vancouver on an ebike – took part in this outing which covered 36 miles (58 kms) on a track leading from the center of Oaxaca city into the hills above San Gabriel Etla. Most of the route was fairly level, following an old railroad right-of-way through open countryside. However, once at San Miguel Etla the gang had some serious climbing to do to reach the waterfall deep in a lushly forested valley. All told, the elevation gain and loss amounted to 1378 feet (420 meters) on the round trip. Riders stopped at the Rancho San Antonio on the way home for a delicious late morning meal. The ride got underway at 7:30 am and lasted seven hours, with folks getting home at 2:30 in the afternoon – having to ride in light rain the last few miles into town.

The day started with blue skies but light rain began falling as the group neared Oaxaca on the return home.
Riders had to leave their bikes behind to hike along a creek flowing through lush vegetation.
Though hardly a roaring waterfall, the cascada was a pretty sight nevertheless.
Rancho San Antonio was a welcome stopping place for brunch on the ride home.
Memelas, costalitos, chilaquiles and other tasty delights were more than enough to satisfy our gang.
The rancho featured several animal attractions – geese, a raccoon and even a crocodile!

Countryside, GPS, MTBing

Serendipitous Sunday

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This is essentially a loop ride through the countryside southwest of Oaxaca which makes use of many little used back roads. There is a good amount of climbing and descending, but nothing too difficult or challenging. This five hour long excursion includes a stop for breakfast at a family owned comedor in Arrazola. Distance: 24.2 miles / 38.9 kms Elevation change: 1326 feet / 404 meters. Duration: 5 hours Rating: moderate

Countryside, Foothills, GPS, MTBing

El Cerrodito de Leon

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There is a circular concrete platform ten meters in diameter atop a hill a mile or more to the southeast of San Bartolo Coyotepec. Its use is a mystery, since access to the stage is by way of a very rough and little used back road popular mostly with mountain bikers.
It was just such a group that rode this way on a Sunday morning the last day of May. The map below shows the route coming home, so illustrates a bit less than one half the distance ridden today. Though the total distance covered was only 25 miles (40.3 kms) the ride is rated moderate to difficult because of the hill climbs on loose and rocky jeep roads. As per custom, the gang stopped for breakfast at Comedor Hilda in San Bartolo on the way home. The ride got underway at 7:15 am and wrapped up shortly after noon.


Countryside, GPS, MTBing

El Carmen / La Raya Loop

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This is a favorite loop ride through the countryside to the south and west of Oaxaca. The majority of the route is on back roads covering mostly flat terrain. However, there are three significant hill climbs before reaching El Carmen that will test the mettle of most riders. However, from there bikers enjoy a terrific stretch of downhill which makes the uphill grunt worth the effort. This route covers 36 miles ( 58 kms), with an elevation gain and loss of almost 1700 feet (518 meters). Expect to spend about 5.5 hours in the saddle to finish the ride.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Huijazoo Archeological Site

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The Zapotec archeological site of Huijazoo sits on a hilltop just north of the town of Suchilquitongo, Oaxaca, México. Dating from between 300 and 800 AD, the site was first excavated in 1985. There are several temple platforms, a ball court and a central plaza. The most notable feature is a burial chamber containing the tombs of 60 individuals, with wall paintings, carved lintels and ceramic pottery. For more information see: https://lugares.inah.gob.mx/en/node/4417. The bike ride from Oaxaca centro to the site entails a round trip of 45.0 miles (72.4 kilometers), with an elevation gain and loss of 1765 feet (538 meters), most of which occurs on the climb from the valley floor to the hilltop location of the ruins. The final several hundred feet of trail is both steep and rocky, persuading some cyclists to walk their bikes up. The archeological site itself is rather small, but affords impressive views of the valley below and mountains off in the distance. Expect the ride to last about seven hours, with time for a brunch stop in Suchilquitongo.

Zapotec spirits at Huijazoo enjoy cycling in the Land of the Dead.
Modern day riders on the way to Suchilquitongo.
Photo op for the nine bikers on today’s excursion.
Pedaling along the old railroad right-of-way linking Oaxaca and Huitzo.
The principal temple platform at Huijazoo. Threre is still a lot of excavation work to be done here.
It is a steep climb – either on foot or by bike – to reach the summit.
The view looking west from the hilltop towards the Etla valley and mountains beyond.