Explore Sierra Norte, Half-Day Hiking Adventure
Overview
Escape Oaxaca City and head into the spectacular highlands of the Sierra Norte for a half-day hiking adventure through the lush cloud forest of La Cumbre Ixtepeji. Hike along scenic mountain trails surrounded by towering pines and oaks, giant agaves, colorful wildflowers and seasonal mushrooms. Reach breathtaking viewpoints above 3,000 meters, with sweeping panoramic views across the surrounding mountains and valleys, before descending through the forest. Finish the adventure with a well-earned traditional Oaxacan lunch at a local mountainside eatery before returning to the city in the early afternoon.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike 9 km through the lush cloud forest of Oaxaca Sierra Norte.
- Reach breathtaking panoramic viewpoints above 3,000 meters.
- Discover towering pines and oaks, giant agaves, wildflowers and seasonal mushrooms.
- Experience the spectacular Sierra Norte in a small group with a bilingual guide.
- Stop for a well-earned traditional Oaxacan lunch at a local mountainside eatery
What's Included
- Bottled water Drinking water to refill your bottle
- Private transportation
- Park entrance fee included
- Hiking poles
- Fully guided informative tour
- Professional bilingual guide
- Lunch Cost of lunch not included (Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available)
- Tips
Meeting Location
Miguel Hidalgo 211
Barrio de Jalatlaco, 68080 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Fully guided in both English and Spanish, this half-day adventure is a great way to start your day hiking in the Sierra Norte. With groups of no more than six people, you can enjoy a more personal experience before returning to Oaxaca in the early afternoon after lunch, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your day.
Meet your guide in downtown Oaxaca and begin the journey into the Sierra Norte to La Cumbre Ixtepeji, approximately one hour from the city.
Once in the mountains, begin your loop hike through the lush cloud forest, following scenic trails surrounded by towering pine and oak trees, ferns, giant agaves, wildflowers and seasonal wild mushrooms.
Continue through the forest until reaching the viewpoint and watchtower at approximately 3,200 meters above sea level, where you’ll have expansive views across the surrounding mountains and valleys. Take some time to enjoy the scenery before continuing along the forest trail and beginning the descent.
After completing the hike, stop for a well-earned traditional Oaxacan lunch at a local mountainside eatery. Then return to Oaxaca City in the early afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your day.
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility impairments
- Not recommended for travelers with breathing issues
- ABOUT THE HIKE: - Distance: 9 km. / 5.5+ miles total approx. - Hike time: 3:30 hrs. approx. Moderately challenging hike. - Elevation: 2,880 m. min, 3,200 m. max. - Elev. gain: 400+ m. - The activity level is moderately challenging and the skill level is beginner-intermediate. - It's important to be familiar with the hike distance/time to enjoy this adventure.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Explore Sierra Norte, Half-Day Hiking Adventure?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-313419P15
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 4 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST).
- Bottled water. Drinking water to refill your bottle.
- Private transportation.
- Park entrance fee included.
- Hiking poles.
- Fully guided informative tour.
- Professional bilingual guide.
- Lunch. Cost of lunch not included (Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available).
- Tips.
The minimum age to participate is 13. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Explore Sierra Norte, Half-Day Hiking Adventure is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility impairments
- Not recommended for travelers with breathing issues
- ABOUT THE HIKE: - Distance: 9 km. / 5.5+ miles total approx. - Hike time: 3:30 hrs. approx. Moderately challenging hike. - Elevation: 2,880 m. min, 3,200 m. max. - Elev. gain: 400+ m. - The activity level is moderately challenging and the skill level is beginner-intermediate. - It's important to be familiar with the hike distance/time to enjoy this adventure.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Explore Sierra Norte, Half-Day Hiking Adventure will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Bottled waterDrinking water to refill your bottle
- Private transportation
- Park entrance fee included
- Hiking poles
- Fully guided informative tour
- Professional bilingual guide
- LunchCost of lunch not included (Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available)
- Tips
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility impairments
- Not recommended for travelers with breathing issues
- ABOUT THE HIKE: - Distance: 9 km. / 5.5+ miles total approx. - Hike time: 3:30 hrs. approx. Moderately challenging hike. - Elevation: 2,880 m. min, 3,200 m. max. - Elev. gain: 400+ m. - The activity level is moderately challenging and the skill level is beginner-intermediate. - It's important to be familiar with the hike distance/time to enjoy this adventure.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
