Huitzo Hills Hike Option 1 – As with many of the hikes in the “Hoofing It In Oaxaca” program, the hill country around Huitzo was first explored by mountain bike – in this case, a Sunday ride with the Nitos Ciclistas en Movimiento bike club. Hikers will surely enjoy the fresh air and the scenic vistas to be had while wandering along a wide, well-maintained dirt road that wraps itself around the contour of the landscape, with numerous long climbs and equal descents.
Before starting our hike, we’ll spend some time visiting the restored Dominican monastery in the heart of San Pablo Huitzo. Then we will move to the superb art studio of famed local artist, Enrique Flores. Next we will drive into rolling hills nearby for our hike adventure. At the end of our trek we’ll stop for lunch at a very rural comedor perched just off the toll road to Mexico City.
Because this is an out & back hike, with the group returning by the same route, those who walk at a more leisurely pace or who tire of the distance or elevation gain may lag behind or turn back early, knowing the rest of the group will catch up at the end.
Time frame: 8:30 depart Llano Park / 9:30 arrive Huitzo / 10:15 finish monastery tour / 10:30 visit art studio / 11:15 leave studio / 11:45 start hike / 2:00 end hike & lunch stop / 3:15 start for Oaxaca / 4:15 return Oaxaca.
Huitzo Hills Hike Option 2 – This is a one-way, 5 mile walk along a well-graded but little-used dirt road in the hills separating Huitzo from the village of Jayacatlan. The elevation ranges between 7067 and 7682 feet in altitude, with the route going uphill 536 feet and descending 716 feet along the way. The estimated time on the trail is 2 hours. This hike is rated moderate.
Huitzo Hills Hike Option 3 – This hike will make a loop through rolling hill country near Huitzo utilizing a combination of jeep roads and single track trails used as a course for a local mountain bike race. The trail runs for 2.2 miles and has an elevation gain and loss of 470 feet along the way. Estimated hike time is 1.5 hours. This hike is rated moderate.