This four mile section of the Camino de Juárez links El Punto with La Cumbre. It is a very steep and demanding ascent, climbing 1387 feet (423 meters), with descents of 391 feet (119 meters). There are several long sections of steps which present a big challenge to bike riders. In winter months the trail is heavily littered with leaves and pine needles, making the path slick under foot or tire. Given the option, hiking or biking this segment going in the other direction is the better choice. If you want to do this ride as an out & back adventure, consider returning to El Punto via the El Cereso trail, which has some challenging but fun sections. The CdJ runs roughly parallel to the El Cerezo trail near El Punto. The map below terminates at the new ecotourism cabins constructed at La Cumbre.
Category: Mountains
GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos
Ojo de Agua
by Larry • • 0 Comments
A terrific – if challenging – 16.4 mile (26 kms) ride on steep mountain roads in the hills west of the cuota to Mexico City northwest of Huitzo. Turn off on a spur road 15.5 kms northwest of the Huitzo toll booth, just beyond the overpass at kilometer 207. The map below shows the route going one way (the return leg), so double the distance for the round trip ride. The total climb going both ways amounts to 935 meters (3067 feet). The initial hill climb has a gradient between 10% and 16%, which will strain your leg muscles. The highest point on the route is 2313 meters (7588 feet). There is a pleasant comedor at the highway junction which provides a perfect place to stop for rest and refreshments at the end of the adventure.
GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos
Back Way To San Cristobal
by Larry • • 0 Comments
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.
Countryside, GPS, Mountains, MTBing
San Baltazar Guelavila
by Larry • • 0 Comments
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 rock waterfall of Hierve el Aqua appears in the distance on the hillside across the valley.
Countryside, GPS, Mountains, MTBing
Over The Top, Down And Around
by Larry • • 0 Comments
This classic ride takes one on a grand circle up and over the mountains which form the western wall of the Valley of Oaxaca. It is not for the faint of heart, as there is over 1500 meters (5000 feet) of climbing along the route, which stretches for 88.7 kilometers (55.1 miles). Someone with stout legs and lungs – or riding an ebike – can accomplish the loop in five or six hours time. The loop can be ridden equally well in either direction.