The hikes listed on this page are hikes previously offered by the Hoofing it in Oaxaca program but are not currently planned. Hikes can be retired due to restricted village access, degree of difficulty, change in trail due to crop rotation or construction, etc.
Atzompa Archeological
Not scheduled this season. Atzompa can easily be reached by bus or colectivo from downtown Oaxaca and is a worthy destination for a day hike on your own initiative.
Atzompa is a small village just a bit northwest of Oaxaca. The hike goes to the ruins at the top of the hill near town, which were excavated in 2007-2012. These ruins were part of the Monte Alban complex and date from the Classic period of 100-700 C.E. The site opened to the public in December of 2012. At some point there will likely be an admission charge to visit the ruins, but it was still free of charge this past season. Sadly, the community museum about halfway between the Atzompa ruins and the town center, which displays many of the excellent artifacts unearthed during the recent excavations, remains closed due to earthquake damage. After the hike and lunch in town, participants may wish to visit local craft shops where green glazed pottery is made or colorful wooden alebrijes are fashioned.
Time frame: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm / Distance: 7.8 Km (4.9 Mi) / Elevation change: 294 M (966 Ft) gain and equal loss / Type: point to point / Trail: city streets & marked paths / Exposure: full sun (no shade anywhere) / Rating: moderate
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Back way to Tule Countryside
Not scheduled this season.
Santa Maria El Tule is a pleasant little village located 6 miles (10 kms) east of Oaxaca on the PanAmerican Highway. It is justly famous for the immense cedar tree in the church yard, which is a local tourist attraction. The town (and the tree) are the destination for this hike along the rolling hills that form the southern wall of the Tlacolula valley. The hike begins in the Rosario neighborhood at the southeast corner of Oaxaca and follows a route that climbs along a rocky trail up and over the shoulder of a hill. From there the route is mainly downhill to Tule. The trek should take about three hours. Once arrived in Tule the group will stop for lunch at any of several restaurants or food vendors in the marketplace.
Time frame: 8:00 am to 1:30 pm / Distance: 8.0 Km (5.0 Mi) / Elevation change: 125 M (411 Ft) uphill and 156 M (511 Ft) downhill / Type: point to point / Trail: Jeep road, single track and city streets / Exposure: full sun / Rating: moderate
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Cactus Trail of Cuauhtémoc Countryside
The small village of Cuauhtémoc de Rojas lies in the Tlacolula valley not far from Tule. It offers ready access to some rough trails that lead into nearby hills which support a large number of cacti. The footpaths are not much used, are mostly rocky and sometimes a bit steep. They afford some nice views of a deep arroyo and vistas of much of the Tlacolula valley stretching into the distance to the east.
Time frame: 8:00 am to 2:30 pm / Distance: 5.3 Km (3.3 Mi) / Elevation change: 254 M (832 Ft) gain & loss / Type: loop / Trail: rough & rocky footpaths / Exposure: full sun / Rating: moderate
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Capulálpam Mountain
The small mountain village of Guelatao, situated 52 kilometers north of Oaxaca city on Highway 175, is renowned as the birthplace of Benito Juarez, likely the most famous (and possibly the only honest) president in Mexico’s checkered history as an independent nation. It and another nearby town – Capulálpam – are deserving of a visit. Capulálpam has the sort of ecotourism park common among villages in the Sierra Norte, all of which support hiking and biking. One of the trails in the area – which consists almost entirely of a very pleasant, little-used logging road through the forest – runs 3.2 miles until it reaches a small water control dam. The hike out and back is a moderate endeavor, suitable for anyone with good stamina. Our group will stop in Guelatao on the way to Capulálpam to visit the memorial and museum to Benito Juárez. Sack lunch required. Motion sickness alert! The ride to and from Capulálpam may induce dizzyness.
Time frame: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm / Distance: 10.3 Km (6.4 Mi) / Elevation change: 258 M (847 Ft) gain & loss / Highest elevation: 2256 M (7401 Ft) / Type: out & back / Trail: smooth dirt road & footpath / Exposure: deep shade / Rating: moderate to difficult (for elevation and distance)
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Cerro San Felipe Mountain
Cerro San Felipe is the mountain knob that looms over Oaxaca. Topping out at an elevation of 3129 meters (10,267 feet), it is a natural lure for hikers. There are several routes to the mirador. This hike goes by way of the trail network found at La Cumbre Ixtepeji.
Time frame: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm / Hike distance: 5.6 kms (3.5 miles) / Elevation change: 686 meters (2250 feet) of climbing and descending / Highest point: 3229 meters (10,593 feet) / Type: out & back / Trail: logging roads and footpaths / Exposure: 70% forest shade & 30% sun / Rating: difficult due to amount of elevation change and steepness of trail
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Cieneguilla Trail Mountain
4 Feb 2025
The Cienequilla Trail runs mainly downhill from the small lake and campground of the same name located not far from Arroyo Guacamaya into the town of San Agustin Etla. The trail is steep in places (the gradient runs from 15% to over 30%), with lots of rocks. Hiking poles or a walking stick are recommended. People with weak ankles or knees probably should skip this hike. Be warned: once you have started down the trail there is no place to get off and flagg down a mototaxi or colectivo! After the hike we will take time to visit the Centro de las Artes in San Agustin, an impressive structure, built in 1883, which once housed a steam-powered textile mill but is now a gallery that hosts traveling exhibits of art from Mexico and Central American countries. Then on the way back to Oaxaca the group will stop at either Mia Arroz (open only Thu thru Sun) or the Hacienda Santa Marta which offers an incredible buffet lunch (starts serving at 1:30 pm daily). The cost of your meal will be approximately 250 pesos for food and beverage at either eatery.
Time frame: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm / Distance: 5.2 kms (3.9 miles) / Elevation change: 683 M (2240 feet) downhill & 166 M (544 feet) uphill / Highest point: 2390 M (7844 feet) / Type: point to point / Trail: mainly single track through the forest / Exposure: 40% forest shade & 60% sun / Rating: very difficult
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Huitzo Hills Cultural & Countryside
Huitzo sits at the extreme northern end of the Etla valley about midway between Oaxaca city and Nochixtlan. The town is quite proud of the Spanish convent in the city center, which the local population restored and maintains without government financing. We will visit the monastery as we pass through town. Next we will visit the excellent studio of famed local artist, Enrique Flores, who is invariably a gracious host. Huitzo has lovely rolling hill country nearby which offers some great opportunities for hiking.
Time frame: 8:00 am to 3:30 pm / Distance: 4.8 km (3.0 miles) / Elevation change: up to 214 meters (700 feet) / Highest elevation: 2305 meters (7563 feet) / Type: out & back / Trail: wide dirt road / Exposure: mostly full sun / Rating: moderate
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Jalapa del Valle Loop Countryside
Not scheduled this season.
This 3.75 mile loop route starts at the general store in Jalapa del Valle and proceeds east along the road running uphill toward Oaxaca, then switches to a little-used single track trail which runs along the top of the ridge looking down on the town before descending along a couple of farm access roads back into Jalapa. The last several hundred feet of the trail is in the creek bed which runs toward town. The loop takes 2 hours to complete and is rated moderate for some fairly steep sections, both uphill and down.
Time frame: 8:00 am to 12:30 pm / Distance: 6.0 km (3.75 miles) / Elevation change: 207 meters (680 feet) gain & loss / Type: loop / Trail: gravel roads and single track / Exposure: full sun / Rating: moderate
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San Agustin Etla Countryside
San Agustin is blessed with a ready supply of fresh water, which is captured from a mountain stream and channeled into the city in an aqueduct. We will hike along the aqueduct going 3.0 miles uphill, gradually rising into one of the valleys nearby to the ruins of a hydroelectric plant built near the turn of the last century. While the hike has a very moderate gradient of just 1%, it is 6.0 miles round trip and there is no option to step off the trail and hail a cab if you tire. Still, this is one of our favorite outings. At the end of the hike, the Cultural Center in the old textile mill is well worth a visit, and it is free. The paper factory nearby is also an interesting place to visit. There will be a 50 pesos fee imposed to hike this trail, which includes a guide. You will want to pack a sack lunch to enjoy when we reach the ruins of the hydroelectric plant, which is our turnaround point.
Time frame: 8:00 am to 2:30 pm / Distance: 9.65 Km (6.0 Mi) / Elevation change: 61 M (200 Ft) gain & loss / Highest elevation: 1938 M (6361 Ft) / Type: out & back / Trail: footpath with some tricky crossings on narrow ridges / Exposure: mostly full sun / Rating: moderate
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West Etla Valley Countryside & Archeological
The scenic rolling hill country of the western Etla Valley harbors a number of roads and trails which are a delight to hike. This outing starts at a remote spot, follows a pleasant stream down a valley running to the southeast and eventually terminates at the ruins of the monastery in Cuilapam, begun in 1556 but never completed. You will enjoy the serene beauty of this agricultural area and the grace of the monastery ruins. After the hike we will stop for an impressive buffet lunch at the Hacienda Cuilapam before returning to Oaxaca.
Time frame: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm / Distance: 7.7 Kms (4.8 Miles) / Elevation change: gradual descent totaling 128 meters (420 feet) / Type: point to point / Trail: mostly dirt road with two stream crossings / Exposure: mix of sun and shade / Rating: easy