Countryside, GPS, MTBing

Mitla

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After Monte Alban, the Zapotec ruins in Mitla are the most spectacular and important in the Valles Centrales of Oaxaca state. It is quite feasible for visitors to Oaxaca city to get to Mitla by bicycle. Those who want to get in a full day of exploring archeological sites can stop at Dainzu on the way to Mitla, then check out the palace complex at Yagul on the way back to the capital city. The track below is not complete, but you can probably figure it out and adapt it to help  you get to where you want to go.

 

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Grand Tour of the Tlacolula & Zimatlan Valleys

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The 53-mile (85 km) loop ride shown here offers a grand tour of both the Tlacolula and Zimatlan valleys (two of the three of the Valles Centrales that comprised the Zapotec empire in the glory days of Monte Alban and are home to Oaxaca city today). Plan to spend the whole day in the saddle on this scenic adventure!

Countryside, GPS, MTBing

Diaz Ordaz & Yagul

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If you are looking for a splendid, long ride through the countryside on a beautiful day, this adventure just might tickle your imagination. Basically an outing on unpaved backcountry roads, this route will take you from Oaxaca to Diaz Ordaz, with a little lollipop loop at the end that puts you within striking distance of the scenic ruins of the Zapotec palace complex at Yagul, should you care to visit there. Coming in at 49 miles (79 km), this is a long ride, and one with enough rolling terrain to keep things interesting.

Countryside, Foothills, GPS, MTBing

San Agustin Etla Loop

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The track below shows two routes linking Oaxaca and the charming hill town of San Agustin Etla. The outbound route, which uses the unfinished highway of the Libramiento Norte and a patchwork of back roads, is certainly the more scenic and charming – as well as the more difficult option. The return to Oaxaca, by contrast, follows main roads which are much more crowded and less attractive, but have the virtue of being much more level. The rider is certainly entitled to ride the loop in either direction, or to choose either leg as an out-and-back ride. Any way you slice it, this is a significant urban ride, amounting to 31+ miles (45+ km).

Countryside, GPS, MTBing

Grand Loop of the Etla Valley

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Many bike riders consider the western side of the Etla valley to be the most scenic and delightful area of the Valles Centrales. Certainly the rolling countryside is appealing, both visually and to those who enjoy a few good climbs as part of the day’s workout. There are miles of suitable back roads and trails in this part of the country, many of them shown on other rides in this collection. This particular outing, though, might be considered the grand loop. At 25.2 miles (40.6 km) in length (measured from central Oaxaca), the trail illustrated contains about 1700 feet (518 meters) of elevation gain and loss in the circuit.