This is an intermediate ride of 51 kilometers (31.7 miles) that takes advantage of some unpaved country roads which loop through the hills located between San Andrés Ixtlahuaca, Jalapa del Valle and San Felipe Tejalapam. Quite a scenic adventure when the hillsides lie green beneath an azure sky. Be advised that the hill climbs are numerous, but not too long or steep. There is an elevation gain and loss of 630 meters (2069 feet) along the way. A group of Sunday riders finished the course in five hours, counting time out for snacks (memelas, tacos & empanadas) at a street vendor’s stall in the zocalo in San Andrés Ixtlahuaca on the way back to Oaxaca.
This hill is steeper than it appears in the photo.One rider’s chain snapped from the strain of the climb.
San Cristobal is a tiny village perched precariously on the steep slopes of the mountain ridge which forms the western boundary of the Valley of Oaxaca. It is usually accessed from a paved road completed in 2022. However, there are two little-used, rough jeep roads that wind their way up to San Cristobal, one of which is the route taken on this ride. The track is used by farmers to get to their small milpas on the lower slopes, but almost no one ventures higher up where the mountain is too steep and densely forested for farming. It is a delight, though, for mountain bikers looking for a challenging climb.
It is a 491 meter (1612 foot) climb up the old jeep road to San Cristobal.The valley of Oaxaca stretches for miles into the distance.
This is the fourth in a series of weekday rides exploring the little-used back roads and trails in the hills to the west of the Mexico cuota some 20-40 kilometers (12 to 24 miles) north-northwest of Oaxaca. The town of Matadamas was the jumping off point for today’s excursion. Similar expeditions have departed from San Andrés Zautla, Santa Cruz Lachixolana and Santiago Suchilquitongo. All offer a generous amount of hill climbing in the midst of great scenery. All of these routes can be accessed on rides originating in Oaxaca as well as by using a shuttle to the designated starting points. This particular outing was a short one of 23.8 kms (14.8 miles) that lasted just 2.5 hours. It could well have been extended by riding more of the trails that crisscross the area. Be advised, though, that accessing these trails can be difficult. When looking out from the top of a ridge, one can see a number of trails off in the distance, but finding and following them is challenging, as many wind up dead-ending in a farmer’s field. Nevertheless, this is a great area for riders with a whimsical spirit of adventure.
There is some good riding to be found on the gravel roads that run upvalley from San Baltazar Guelavila with views of the backside of Hierve el Agua. It is a 90 minute drive to San Baltazar, 64 kilometers (40 miles) southeast of Oaxaca. The objective for today’s outing was a visit to the cascada at Las Salinas, located just over 8 kilometers (5 miles) from San Baltazar. There is a very challenging hiking trail which leads from Las Salinas to Hierve el Agua, but it is not open to bicycles. After linking up with two local guides at the cascada, we continued to ride further through the valley, passing well beyond the rock waterfalls at Hierve el Aqua, which were easily visible across the valley. The road has a good bit of ups and downs, but nothing too steep. However, the road is very rough in places, with lots of loose stones to make your rear tire spin out on the climbs. All in all, this is an interesting destination for a shuttle ride from Oaxaca. We covered 26.2 kms (16.3 miles), gaining and losing 511 meters (1678 feet) in elevation on today’s ride, which took about four hours to complete. We would have pedaled farther but looming rain clouds prompted us to turn back. Happily, we outran the storm, getting just a bit wet at the end.
The village of San Baltazar Guelavila is the jumping-off point for today’s ride.Rugged mountain scenery abounds.Not much water flowing at Las Salinas today.Even so, the rock formations are interesting. Uriel (standing) and Emanuel observe as Dhruba works on a broken derailleur.Two local guides + two gringos = a great team!Bike back in action: Yeehaw! The rock waterfall of Hierve el Aqua appears in the distance on the hillside across the valley.
Some local maps show a La Derivadora mountain bike park in the rolling hills to the west of the village of Santa Cruz Lachixolana on the far side of the cuota to Mexico City. There is no signage to speak of to designate the park location or point out various trails, so riders are on their own to find their way. The landscape in the area is lovely and the trails are a delight to explore. All the trails can be rated moderate and there are no technical challenges to speak of. Using a GPS to map one’s route is recommended so you can find your way back to your starting point. The ride shown on the map below was accomplished using a shuttle to Lachixolana. The park may also be the destination of a longer bike ride from Oaxaca, which would add about fifty kilometers (thirty-one miles) to the round trip distance.
It is obvious trails in La Derivadora park do not get a lot of use. Following a faint jeep track in the mountain bike park. Where does it lead?In places you just make your own trail.There are miles of hills and valleys with no sign of human habitation.Another beautiful part of the Valley of Oaxaca.
