Category: Mountains

GPS, Hiking, Mountains, MTBing, Photos, Ride Routes, Trail Info

Camino de Juarez

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There is an epic new trail near Oaxaca deserving of mention here. Under construction for two years, the Camino de Juarez opened in March 2024. The trail runs from San Pablo Guelatao – the birthplace of renowned Oaxaca native, Benito Juarez – to the outskirts of the capital city. The trail commemorates the twelve-year-old orphan’s solo walk from his hometown to Oaxaca in 1818, leaving behind his years as an unschooled shepherd boy to embark on a lifetime of stellar achievements as a student, lawyer, state governor, supreme court justice and president and savior of Mexico during the war of the French Intervention. A contemporary of Abraham Lincoln in the U.S., Juarez can fairly be called the father of the modern state of Mexico.

The Camino de Juarez winds for 29 miles (46.5 kms) through the mountainous terrain of the Sierra Norte, starting at an elevation of 5790 feet (1765 meters) in Guelatao and concluding at 5020 feet (1530 meters) in Tlalixtac. As of October 2024 the trail is complete except for the last segment on the outskirts of Oaxaca.

The highest point on the trail is 9246 feet (2818 meters). There is an elevation gain of 7631 feet (2326 meters) running from Guelatao to Oaxaca, with an elevation loss of 8333 feet (2540 meters) along the way. The paved trail has some steep segments containing steps. There are pedestrian overpasses in the several places where the trail crosses highway 175. The Camino de Juarez is amenable to hikers, backpackers, joggers and bicyclists.

Here are some impressions from riding several miles of the trail from El Punto towards Lachatao. First of all, we applaud the idea of a trail linking Guelatao with Oaxaca. For the most part the trail is 10 feet wide, though at times it narrows to 4-6 feet. In places it is quite steep, with a gradient of up to 25%. Cyclists should be wary of the frequent drainage channels that cross the path. Some are merely dips while others are narrow channels. Riders should be on the lookout for some of the dips that drop up to a foot very suddenly; and take care crossing the channels which sometimes run diagonally across the path. Both of these can cause a nasty spill if not traversed with caution.

The map below shows just a small section of the trail running from El Punto in the direction of Lachatao. For a map of the entire trail, please see https://www.wikiloc.com/trail-running-trails/guelatao-de-juarez-santa-lucia-del-camino-152383536?utm_medium=app&utm_campaign=share&utm_source=4731429

The map below shows the Camino de Juarez as it runs from El Estudiante to the presas in Huayapam, the next-to-last segment of the route just north of Oaxaca city.

Welcome to the Camino de Juarez!
Images of Benito Juarez are embedded in the trail in many places along the Camino’s route.
The Camino wends for miles through the Sierra Norte.
There are lots of swoops up and down on the trail.
Sections of the Camino de Juarez run parallel to Highway 175.
Bridges carry the trail over the highway in many places.
There are stairs on some short, steep segments of the route.
You will have to duck under some low-hanging tree branches.
There are frequent pullouts where travelers can rest and enjoy the scenery.
With thousands of trees along the trail, why were these left in the middle of the path?

Foothills, GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos

Suchilquitongo – Parts Two & Three

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There are miles of backcountry roads and a snaggle of single track trails in the hills north and west of Santiago Suchilquitongo that are a lure to mountain bikers looking to explore new territory. This post recounts two similar but distinct rides.

RIDE ONE: To scratch the itch of adventure, two cyclists set out from Oaxaca to shuttle their bikes 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) to Suchilquitoingo one morning, intent on discovering what that region has to offer. This being an exploratory trip and a first-time visit, the day’s route rested on a roll of the dice as to which direction to ride. First up was a trek up the hill just west of the cuota to Mexico City past the Technologico Nacional de Mexico. What started as a promising ride on an unpaved country lane soon devolved into a jeep road and then a narrow, ill-defined single track which climbed up to a ridge overlooking the valley spread below. Near the top the trail became so faint and steep the riders deemed it best to turn around and retrace their path. Back in the valley, the cyclists had better luck following a freshly-graded road winding westward past two reservoirs, with the road climbing steadily upward for a number of miles. After pedaling for two hours, the pair decided to head back, calling the day’s excursion a success. The stats for the day are: 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) ridden, with an elevation gain and loss of 596 meters (1956 feet). See first map, below.

RIDE TWO: Intrigued by the road which seemed to wind ever higher and deeper into the nearby mountains, cyclists returned a second time to explore the area further. Turns out this old road is a winner! The lower portion is mainly sundrenched, but the upper sections offer good forest shade. The first five miles provide moderate climbs and descents as the track weaves through the woods. The next 1.3 miles are steeper, with grades of 8 to 15 percent. The final seven-tenths of a mile climb is a challenge, with lots of loose sand and a gradient of up to 20% in places. An ebike is a real asset and is definitely in its element here! The ride stats are: distance 21.7 km (13.5 miles) / elevation gain & loss 781 meters (2563 feet) / ride time of 2.5 hours on ebikes. See second map, below.

Scampering up a trail in the hills near Huitzo.
A spectacular view of the countryside.
The first of two reservoirs on today’s outing.
The same reservoir seen from further up the mountain.
The long, winding road up into the mountains.
Lots of zigging and zagging along the way.
Deep in the forest and high on the hill.

GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

Climbing The Wall – Part II

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This post is a companion to the earlier entry of 10 October describing the brutal climb to the top of the ridge just west of Jalapa del Valle. There is a newly-paved road winding up the long, steep mountainside leading to Santiago Tlazoyaltepec. Getting to the top is a real challenge, even for riders with strong legs and powerful lungs. Two adventurous cyclists did the climb of 1087.5 meters (3568 feet) over 28.3 kilometers (17.6 miles) in 3 hours, 20 minutes, having first used a shuttle to get from Oaxaca to Jalapa del Valle. Jalapa sits at an elevation of 1721 meters (5645 feet), while the road hits a high point of 2808 meters (9213 feet). The brake-burning descent, by comparison, took just 28 minutes, after which the riders enjoyed a well-deserved lunch at the rustic but competent Comedor Campestre in the center of Jalapa. (Suggestion: try the wonderful shrimp platter for just 150 pesos.)

The new pavement on the road to Tlazayotepec gives a smooth ride but is still a formidable climb.
A memorial marker along the way.
Was Noe, perhaps, a cyclist who succumbed on the long haul up the mountain?
The turnoff to El Portezuelo, a tiny village near the top of the mountain.
A pet parrot enlivens lunch at the rustic comedor in Jalapa del Valle.

GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Uncategorized

Climbing The Wall

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The rural village of Jalapa del Valle, situated in the valley of the Rio Jalapilla some 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) west of Oaxaca city, is a favorite destination for many a solo or group bike ride. Few cyclists, though, climb the steep, rocky and eroded logging road that runs from Jalapa to the top of the mountain ridge demarcating the edge of the Valley of Oaxaca. That is what this post is about. The map below shows the trail one way from the center of Jalapa to almost the top of that ridge, so the round trip distance comes to 15.7 kilometers (9.8 miles). The elevation gain and loss remains at 648 meters (2127 feet). This is a serious and unrelenting uphill challenge, made more difficult by the poor condition of the road, which is strewn with loose rubble and gouged by erosion. Going back down – though much faster than the climb – is no picnic, either. The gradient varies between 12% and 16% much of the way, so your brakes get a good workout, as does your ability to pick a good line through the many water channels cut across the trail. The dedicated cyclist who ventures this way has the option of riding the entire distance from Oaxaca or using a shuttle to start the ride in Jalapa del Valle.

The dirt road leading west from Jalapa del Valle to the top of the ridge five miles distant.
Herding a flock of sheep and cattle up the valley.
The view from the ridgetop looking east over the Valley of Oaxaca.

GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Uncategorized

Mil Rios Trail – Access thru Teotitlan & Benito Juárez

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The Mil Rios ride is a true classic. The Mil Rios trail can be ridden in and of itself, using a shuttle to reach the trailhead not far from the village of La Neveria. It can also be tackled as part of a long and demanding loop ride passing through Teotitlan del Valle and Benito Juárez to get to the trailhead – as shown in the map below. Riders will struggle to climb 4778 feet (1456 meters), but get to cruise down 4586 feet (1398 meters) on the way home. Caution: the Mil Rios trail is steep and rocky in many places, so good bike handling skills are necessary.