Latin America

Mexico is blessed with dirt roads forever and Oaxaca is a wonderful place to get a feel for them. From rural terracerías to forested two-track to tlayuda pit stops to mushroom foraging, the San José del Pacífico Grand Dirt Tour is a great way of exploring this remarkable state. Because it begins and ends in Oaxaca de Juaréz, a beautiful mountain city that's a destination in its own right, we've included five dirt road day rides into the surrounding valleys too, as well as additional bikepacking options to extend your trip to the region.

If you long to dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean—or maybe you enjoy surfing as much as you love riding your bike—then this classic Mexican mountains-to-sea route is sure to appeal. Recently updated to incorporate bonus dirt and avoid an ongoing highway project, it's a ride that takes you from the heart of Oaxaca city to the state's craggy coastline, in one fabulous long weekend of fine riding, camping, and dining. For those with more time to spend in the area, we've included a number of day rides into Oaxaca's Valles Centrales too...

Meandros de Montebello is a meandering loop through Mexico’s Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello. Beginning and ending in the laid-back city of Comitán, Chiapas, it’s an ideal introduction to bikepacking. Distance-wise, it can be completed in two full days. But why rush? This is a route best savoured over a long weekend or more, allowing time to visit caves, hike to secluded cenotes, and swim in some of the region's 59 azure and turquoise lakes...

Hebras de Ixtepeji is a short, testing, and fun weekend loop into the mountains behind the city of Oaxaca. It packs in a combination of low-traffic dirt roads, forest tracks, and backcountry trails - almost all of which is rideable with a lightweight bikepacking setup. Designed with mountain bikers in mind, it also includes an introduction to the Sierra Norte's enduro and cross-country trails, an impressive network that draws riders from across Mexico...

Complementing the San José del Pacífico Grand Dirt Tour, this vueltita into the Sierra Norte offers a chance to explore the rugged mountains that provide a lush backdrop to the beautiful city of Oaxaca, famed for its fine cuisine and vibrant arts scene. Choose from a lean dirt road option, lace in cross-country singletrack as you go, or set up a base camp and spend a day hiking or riding the techy delights around La Cumbre. Whatever your preference, prep yourself for the climb ahead with a cup of Oaxacan coffee, devour a tlayuda en route, and enjoy a night or two camping out in the high country, where old-growth forest and a network of trails await...

The Santa Cruz Overnighter highlights an ecosystem that suffers a division by a political border in the shape of a metal fence, which at times will be just a few meters away as you ride. Passing the now closed border crossing of Lochiel and heading south to the farming town of Santa Cruz, it’s an easy route that's adequate for beginners or a relaxed overnighter with a touch of environmental and social interest...

The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán biosphere reserve is located in southeastern Mexico, set within the arid climes of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range. Given that this vast and little-travelled UNESCO heritage site is split between two states - Puebla and Oaxaca - we've put together two distinct loops that can be accessed from each capital, aiming to showcase both the rich biodiversity in the area and its cultural identity. The South Loop centres around the high elevation settlement of Santa María Ixcatlán in Oaxaca. At four days in length, it offers a satisfyingly broad overview of the area, or a week's varied riding in the reserve if coupled with the North Loop.

The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán biosphere reserve is located in southeastern Mexico, set within the arid climes of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range. Given that this vast and little-travelled UNESCO heritage site is split between two states - Puebla and Oaxaca - we've put together two distinct loops that can be accessed from each capital, aiming to showcase both the rich biodiversity in the area and its cultural identity. The northern loop centres around the small settlement of Zapotitlán, in Puebla. At 2-3 days in length, it's especially suited to those new to bikepacking, or anyone with an interest in the beguiling world of desert flora. If coupled with the more challenging southern loop, expect to enjoy a week's riding in the reserve.

By means of dirt roads, quiet pavement, and one brief but challenging hike-a-bike, the Trans-Mexico Sur completes the full 3,500 kilometer route by making its way from the arid Valles Centrales into the humid southeast of the country as it crosses mountains and jungle-covered lowlands and hill country toward the Guatemala border.

The Trans-Mexico bikepacking route is a 3,500-kilometer, dirt-focused tour designed to take in Mexico’s most culturally and geographically interesting regions from north to south. The Norte segment tackles a big swathe of Mexico’s mountain country, from the subtropical coast of Mazatlan to the arid altiplano and the forested Sierra Madre...