The Spanish mined the hills and valleys around the Papaloapam River for silver and gold from the 1600 through the 1800’s. There were two significant ore processing haciendas not far from Amatlan and Lachatao, serving a rabbit warren of small mine tunnels in the area. Most of the extensive structures have fallen into ruin, leaving just foundations and a few walls to bear witness to a once-thriving industry. The remains of a couple of large stone aqueducts and their attendant water wheels still stand sentinel over the site. These make for a provocative stop on a 19.3 km (12.0 mile) loop ride on unpaved roads and a single track trail along the stream joining the two haciendas. Though the loop is relatively short, the hill climbs are rather intense (545 meters / 1789 feet), so strong biking ability is required. As an added bonus, there is a charming trout restaurant nearby which can be used as a staging area and a place for a delicious lunch at the conclusion of the ride.
