Author: Larry

Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Outing, Photos, Ride Routes

Monte Alban

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Monte Alban is the crown jewel among the archeological treasures of Oaxaca. Situated on a hilltop 1312 feet above the valley floor, the massive plaza with the imposing platforms that once held numerous temples and palaces is an impressive sight. Since it is quite close to the city of Oaxaca, it is easily accessible by bicycle.

The route traced on the map below runs for 11.3 miles (18.2 km) and shows an elevation gain of 1463 feet (446 meters). It is accomplished on paved roads all the way, so be cautious of vehicular traffic. The ride is rated “Moderate” because of the steepness of the climb. If you are a traveler from a low elevation, you will feel the strain of climbing at this altitude.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Outing, Ride Routes

San Juan Teitipac Loop

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This extended loop ride goes east from Oaxaca city out through the Tlacolula Valley; then runs south across the ridgeline into the Zimatlan Valley at Guegorexe, not many miles north of Ocotlan; then returns to the capital via highway 175.  At 46.1 miles (74.2 km), it is a full day’s ride. The elevation gain & loss is 2520 feet (768 meters). The outing is 7 miles less if you begin and end in the Zocalo in downtown Oaxaca, and skip the part from & to San Felipe. Most of the ride takes place on bike paths and dirt roads; but the section from near Guegorexe back to Oaxaca city is on the shoulder of a busy highway. The ride is rated “Moderate to Difficult” primarily because of the distance. The grades are not too demanding, and there are no technical aspects on the route.

The batteries in my GPS died about the time I got to highway 175, so the track and mileage shown from that point on is an approximation. However, as you are riding along the highway and there is good signage, you cannot get lost.

Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Outing, Ride Routes

San Pablo Etla

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San Pablo Etla is a small village on the northern outskirts of Oaxaca city. Like all the communities abutting the mountains around here, San Pablo lays claim to communal land rising from the town up the neighboring hillsides. In recent years (2008-2012) various people in the village have worked together to create a park on these shared lands. Volunteers have built a visitor’s center with parking lot, observation deck and zip line, along with several miles of hiking and biking trails in the park.

The map below shows a loop ride beginning in San Felipe del Agua going to the mountain park in San Pablo, with the return trip following a different route into downtown Oaxaca and thence up the hill to San Felipe. The outbound segment takes advantage of some of the many trails in the San Felipe bike trail network, gradually working up and over the hills and down into Viguera, where the the Camino Al Seminario leads up and into San Pablo. The return section follows the main highway connecting the various communities in the northern Etla valley with the capital. Obviously, you can ride the entire loop, or pick either half of the route according to your location and desire.

The entire loop runs 25.2 miles (40.5 km) and has an elevation gain & loss of 3370 feet (1027 meters). If you are leaving from central Oaxaca, you will save yourself considerable climbing by avoiding San Felipe and just riding along the highway to San Pablo. However, this way is not as scenic and has a lot of vehicular traffic.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Outing, Ride Routes

San Sebastian Teitipac

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Bike rides to villages in the Tlacolula Valley to the east of Oaxaca City are generally easy affairs. The terrain is mainly flat, and there is a good network of dirt roads linking the many small communities. It is a simple matter to use the bike path on the old Ferrocarril to get from the center of Oaxaca out to Tule, which then serves as a springboard to other destinations.

The track illustrated below shows the route from my home in San Felipe del Agua to the village of San Sebastian Teitipac. The total distance is 44 miles (70.8 km), with an elevation gain & loss of 1498 feet (456.6 meters). The elevation chart below shows only the track for the return trip; you have to imagine the missing mirror image for the outgoing segment. If you elect to use the Zocalo as the start / end point rather than San Felipe, you can deduct 7 miles and 750 feet in elevation from the figures above.

Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Outing, Ride Routes

San Pablo Etla Mountain Park – Loop 1

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There are many trails in the communal park lands in San Pablo Etla that cry out to be ridden by mountain bikers. Shown below is a track utilizing a couple of these trails to form a loop. This loop ride is rated moderately difficult, both in terms of physical and technical challenges. It will give you a good workout and sharpen your bike handling skills. The ride is 12.4 miles (20 km) long and features an elevation gain / loss of 3370 feet (1027 meters). It is rated “Moderate to Difficult” because of its physical and technical demands.

The start / end point is the home of Carl Silverberg, a gringo who lived in the area for many years and worked hard to build this and other nearby trails. Sadly, Carl moved back to the U.S. in 2015. We miss his leadership and enthusiasm for mountain biking.

There is a user fee to access the park lands, which can be paid at the visitor’s center in the park.

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