There is a spectacularly lovely high mountain valley north of Tlacolula about 40 miles (59.5 kms) from Oaxaca city which is home to El Carrizal. Historically, El Carrizal is a relatively new community. The story goes that about fifty years ago some landless peasants arrived in the Oaxaca valley and were attracted to the beauty of a certain unsettled area in the Sierra Norte mountains. The land in question was part of the communal property belonging to San Miguel del Valle. The newcomers asked for permission to build homes in what was to become El Carrizal. Now their descendants are well settled there, and have petitioned to become the official owners of the property; but officials in San Miguel are loathe to surrender their ejidal land. However the dispute is resolved, visitors will appreciate the quiet beauty of the landscape and the warm hospitality of the local people. There are miles of forest paths and dirt roads in the area just begging to be explored, either on foot or by mountain bike. Local guides will be happy to show the way to a couple of cascadas, a mirador or two and other sights.
The map below shows a 12.9 mile loop through the forest around El Carrizal, utilizing a couple of dirt logging roads. Visitors to El Carrizal can rent mountain bikes to ride the loop or hike out-and-back along the route as far as they care to wander. Our recommendation is to explore the loop going in a counter-clockwise direction from El Carrizal.
Invalid Displayed Gallery