Mexico 175 (Tuxtepec Road)
The Tuxtepec road is said to be Mexico’s most scenic road! It offers everything you can wish on a road trip: mountains, desert, pine forest, jungle, cactus, mountain lakes, lots of curves, scenic views, hairpinned curves, rivers, and canyons... Except polar or ice environment can be found here.
Departing from Oaxaca city, at 1.600 masl, the road first goes up in a series of sharp curves up to 2.730 masl in a mountain pass near Ixtepeji, then it goes down to a canyon of Rio Grande near Gualatao de Juarez at 1.530 masl. The road again goes up into the mountains of Sierra de Juárez (part of Sierra Madre del Sur) to a maximum elevation of 2.970 masl near Humo Chico mountain. From Humo Chico mountain the road starts to descend near the sea level in a serie of endless curves. It’s not recommended for those who suffer dizziness. It has great views of mountain flora, changing from pine forest to tropical jungle, at Tuxtepec (30 masl). There’s no project to bypass this road, however if someday a highway project is planned for this area, this definitely will be one of the greatest engineers construction of all time in Mexico and one of the most scenic highways in the world.
El Punto Pass
This pass is located near the small community of El Punto, at 2.750 meters above sea level, starting from Oaxaca city at 1600 meters above sea level, the road quickly ascends to 2750 meters in just 18 kilometers, offering spectacular views of far Oaxaca city and central valley. This road goes from the transition of the semi-arid region of Oaxaca city into pine forest area at the top. Past the pass, the road goes down into an arid canyon at 1520 meters above sea level.
Road to San Miguel del Río
A scenic road to San Miguel del Río, there are 6 paved hairpin curves to access the town. The access area is located at 1850 meters above sea level down to the river at 1460 meters above sea level. The road has a dangerous steep grade and curves.
Sierra de Juárez
This is a popular tourist area region, due the historic importance of this region and natural beauty, this is the place where Benito Juarez was born in the town of Guelatao de Juárez, given its name to the president of Mexico, Benito Juárez García. Starting from the bottom of the canyon at 1520 meters above sea level of Rio Grande de Juárez, the road ascends to the area of Guelatao at 1760 on avarage and continues gaining elevation at the next town at 2000 meters at Ixtlán continuing to 2990 meters above sea level near Llano de Las Flores, another small community high in the mountains. Ixtlan de Juárez Guelatao and Capulálpan offer commodities for tourist, such restaurants, and hotels, also some historical churches and museums about Benito Juárez. There are also some natural bridges, caves and waterfalls in the region. The road traverses a rich area in natural resourses such huge pine trees as ponderosas, long meadows and some few canyon views.
Humo Chico Pass
This is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.970 meters above sea level. It’s the highest point in this road route Mexico 175, exactly at the highest point, there is a newly built restaurant and overview point for visitors also some cabins.
Road to Humo Chico Mountain
The small dirt road to Humo Chico, starting near the pass of Humo Chico (Mexico 175) at 2.950 meters above sea level, the road abruptly goes up into the mountain at a maximum elevation of 3.140 meters above sea level, highest accessible point by car in Oaxaca state. This road offers spectacular views in 360° in all directions of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains, from the top of the Humo Chico mountain at 3.230 meters above sea level.
Road to Valle Nacional (Mexico 175)
Starting from Humo Chico Pass at 2.970 meters above sea level, the road gradually goes down to 90 meters above sea level in Valle Nacional town. This segment can be prone to sudden flood and fog, usually all time year and hour is affected by fog and sloppy surface, which taking the curves can be a difficult challenge to drive. The transition of pine forest to tropical rain forest makes this road segment interesting in nature, there are several species around the road also waterfalls might be present all year round. Don't expect great views of the mountains from the road due to the high density of flora, trees, bushes affecting the views that this road might offer, however, this road might be harsh to those who suffer dizziness due the high amount of curves.
Road suggested by: Eblem Torres