Mountain Bike Ride to Tule Tree & Lake: 32 km Oaxaca Trail

Ride cross-country from lake to the ancient Tule Tree in a single morning.

A half-day mountain bike ride from downtown Oaxaca covering 32 km of cross-country trails and paths to Santo Domingo Tomaltepec lake and the Tule Tree, the world's widest tree. The route includes a bilingual guide, bike and helmet, admission to both sites, a water break and lunch stop (food not included), and ends back in Oaxaca. Riders need moderate fitness, the ability to shift gears, and a minimum height of 1.55 m (5'2"). The pace is mostly downhill after the lake.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bike ride to Tule Tree and Lake

• Meet in downtown Oaxaca
• Gear up with helmets and bikes
• Bike to Santo Domingo Tomaltepec
• Restroom stop and water break
• Stop at Santo Domingo Tomaltepec church
• Continue on cross country trail
• Reach the lake
• Walk around and enjoy lake views
• Bike downhill to the valley
• Arrive at Santa Maria del Tule food market
• Lunch break (not included)
• Visit the Tule tree and gardens
• Bike back to Oaxaca

The experience

The ride starts in downtown Oaxaca with a gear check (helmet, quality cross-country bike, repair kit), then heads out 16 km to Santo Domingo Tomaltepec. A water and restroom break halfway lets you catch your breath before the village itself, where you'll pass the local church and pick up a trail that climbs for about 90 minutes to reach the lake. The uphill section is the main effort. Once you're there, you walk around the natural area and take in the views before turning back.

The return ride is mostly downhill into the valley, which is where the day opens up. You roll into Santa María del Tule and stop at the food market for lunch (bring cash, since food and drinks aren't included), then head straight to the Tule Tree itself. Admission is covered, and you'll have time to walk the square and gardens, learning the history of a tree so wide it holds the record for the world. A bilingual guide is with you the whole way and carries a first aid kit and on-the-go repair tools.

The whole loop takes about five hours door to door. You need to know how to ride, shift gears, and be in fair physical shape. This is a moderate ride, not a casual one. Minimum height is 1.55 m, and bikes come in sizes S to XL.

What’s included

• Bike and helmet.
• professional bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• admission to the Tule Tree and Santo Domingo Tomaltepec.
• first aid kit.
• on-the-go repair tool kit.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Thursday and FridayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 to 65 years) · Under 16: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 7 · max 2 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Valterra Excursiones

Is this one for you?The ride climbs for 90 minutes to the lake, then rolls mostly downhill back to town, so it suits riders who can handle a moderate effort on cross-country trails and want to see two sites (a lake and the world's widest tree) in one morning without a full day commitment.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How hard is the climb to Santo Domingo Tomaltepec lake?

The trail climbs for about 90 minutes after you leave the village, with some uphills along the cross-country path. It's the main effort of the day. The ride back down to the valley is mostly downhill.

What's included in the price and what do I need to pay for separately?

The bike, helmet, guide, admission to both the Tule Tree and Tomaltepec, repair kit and first aid kit are all included. Food and drinks are not. You'll stop at a market in Santa María del Tule where you can buy lunch with your own cash.

Do I need to be an experienced mountain biker to do this ride?

You need to know how to ride a bike, shift gears, and be in fair to moderate physical fitness. This is not a beginner ride, but you don't need to be an expert: the guide leads the way and carries repair tools if anything goes wrong.

What time does the ride start and when does it finish?

You meet in downtown Oaxaca in the morning. The full loop takes about five hours, so you're back by early afternoon. A guide in English or Spanish leads the whole way.

What is the Tule Tree and why is it worth seeing?

The Tule Tree is the widest tree in the world, located in Santa María del Tule. Your guide will share its history and facts while you walk around the tree and the square and gardens surrounding it. Admission is included in the ride price.