Whilst the various bikepacking routes we’ve been posting strive to showcase this beautiful and culturally diverse state, for those coming from afar, the city of Oaxaca de Juaréz makes a great base for day rides to bookend your trip too.

Here are five fun mountain bike-themed rides, all of which take in facets of the area’s cultural sights too.

In terms of terrain, they’re a mix of dirt and trail, and unlike the enduro trails in Ixtepeji, Oaxaca’s main mountain biking destination, they’re accessible by pedalling straight out of town.

They can be chunky and unorthodox in places, the climbs are often steep, but I like to think the juice is worth the squeeze. They all require good navigation skills, confidence on a mountain bike, and at the minimum, the likes of a hardtail or a rigid bike with big tyres.

Thanks to the many local riders who have shown me around the area; some of these rides are local classics whilst others are concoctions of my own.

Note that some Spanish language skills are useful for these rides. Be aware that much of the countryside and mountains are community owned and maintained, so always slow down and say hi, and respect any decisions to close parts of these routes. Please be sure to read up on any access fees that are required; I’ve marked them on the map but it’s your responsibility to pay them. Let me know if anything changes, as it often does in Oaxaca. Thanks!

Laguna Seca

To be honest I don’t do this route too often, as it kind of beats me up… front suspension, at a minimum, is highly recommended! And yet… I’d still consider it a local favourite that’s likely to reveal a part of Oaxaca, close to town, that you’d otherwise never know about. The climb is a challenging one. It’s steep and exposed in places; if it’s the dry season, leave super early to beat the heat.

There’s a challenging section of hike-a-bike and expect a stint of awkward, peddle-grabbing terrain. But once you’re made some initial elevation, the trails in this hill system become magical and flowy. Past Laguna Seca, it’s a fast descent that quickly morphs into a burly rockfest with tight switchbacks. Expect a bit of everything! I’ve routed it back via a dirt road I call Tule Vulture Road… but you can always opt for a mellow cruise along the bike path. Be check out the big Montezuma Cypress in Tule and cool off with a nieve or three!

37km, 3 hours ride time, 900m elevation gain

Huayapam with added Herrera

This ride is a variation on a theme of one of the dirt road day rides, except it climbs above Huayapam into the base of the Sierra Norte, before a loose, rutted and techy descent (Herrera) back down again. Huayapam makes a great place to stop for a break, drink a tejate, and gulp down some memelas!

36km, 3 hours ride time, 900m elevation gain

La Reina + Marimba

Marimba is another fun trail out of Huayapam. This time though, it begins with an unually stout climb on the fabled ‘La Reina’. But instead of continuing onwards towards Ixtepeji, it peels back down again on a backcountry trail that’s sometimes flowy, sometimes rutted, and always a handful (in the best possible way).

As ever, Huayapam makes a great place to stop for a tejate. Note that there is a small cuota (fee) to access this area – either in town, or at weekends there’s sometimes someone at the bottom of the main climb. Heads out on dirt roads and returns via a more direct route, but if you want to extend the ride, you can mix and match with the route above, heading out to Huayapam on trails, and returning on dirt roads.

28km, 2.5hr ride time, 900m elevation gain

La Reina + Prohibido

This trail is similar to the above, location wise. But it’s further up the climb still! It’s a burly little number that is often use as the final stage for local Enduro events in Ixtpeji, as it deposits riders close to the city. As a loop, it includes a stout climb that’s very steep in places, so is best tackled early in the day – before the sun beats down too strongly. Expect some challenging conditions; for this ride, a dropper post is pretty much a requirement! There’s been access in the past in this area, so be sure to pay your fees, as marked on the map. You can pay in Donaji on your way out – just explain to the guard that you’ll be returning via Prohibido, and if you’re dropping in from Ixtepeji, be sure to swing by the park entrance afterwards and settle up.

33km, 3.30hr ride time, 1500m elevation gain

San Felipe Tajalapam on trails

This is the trail alternative to one of my favourite dirt/gravel loops, out to Tejalapam. It heads out via a succession of push ‘n ride trails towards Atzompa, zig-zagging across the land to connect with a network of ridgetop trails that offer some glorious panoramic views, returning on dirt (though you could easily ride the route in reverse, too). Just note that in the dry season, this area is hot and exposed, so it’s best to peel yourself out of your bed super early.

42km, 3.30hr ride time, 900m elevation gain

San Bartolo Coyotepec Botanical Loop

Whilst most of this loop is on dirt roads, there are a few fun little sections of trail to spice things up. Routing via San Bartolo Coyotepec, it also offers a great chance to check out this village’s particular style of pottery, which is known for its almost metallic, black colour – there are plenty of workshops to pop your head into if you want to learn more abot it. From San Bartolo, it’s a reasonably big climb up and over to San Sebastian Teitepec. This comes via a beautiful volcanic zone that’s abundant with flora, hence the title of this route, and some fun, rocky trails. If it’s a sunny day or the dry season, leave town early, as the ascent is very exposed. Looping back to Tule, the latest version of the route works in some flowy singletrack and a poke around an old quarry too. Don’t forget to check out all the columni cacti on the hillsides!

If you have the energy and it’s dry, you can also return via ‘Vulture Road’, as per the Laguna Seca route above, which edits out some asphalt. This version hops on the bike path from Tule, after refreshing aguas and nieves, or perhaps a round of memelas!

56km, 3.30hr ride time, 650m elevation gain