If you're fond of pines whispering in the fresh mountain air and little streams splashing their way down wooded ravines this is the one for you. The bonus is a marvelous gorge with a cascading stream. At the turnaround point another stream joins with it; follow that stream up another gorge a short way and then climb up to the plateau and continue back to the trailhead.

This hike has only one deficiency: it starts with a long downgrade which means it ends with long upgrade.

The trails are part of the Pueblos Mancomunados system. If you're interested in taking some of the multi-day hikes you can get more information at the SEDETUR Office in Oaxaca or better at the Tourist Information Office in Cuajimoloyas (see below).

Driving there is easy enough even if it is slow on the mountain roads. Find the market town of Tlacolula 32 km east of Oaxaca on Hwy 190. At the main intersection that would take you south into the town center go north instead to Díaz Ordaz. In that town go west toward Yalalag. Keep following that road up into the mountains to Km 21 which puts you in Cuajimoloyas.

The trailhead is at the Hotel Yaa-Cuetzi which is also where the Tourist Information Office is. You'll have to look around to find a parking place because this is a little mountain town with not much flat ground. The manager of the Tourist Information Office may be able to help you find a place to park. The office has more information as well about the Pueblos Mancomunados trails. There's a fee charged for using the trails which helps defray the costs of cleaning, maintaining and signposting them.