Hiking Apoala Oaxaca | Breathtaking Lookout "Mirador" Trail | CM Maps Routes Manager

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Author: Megan Anderson
Created: November 17, 2021 1:00 pm
Updated: June 9, 2023 4:17 pm

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Route type: Day Trip Hike

Difficulty grade: Adventure Hike

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Distance Instructions

Label

Distance 2 miles
Time 2 h 0 min
Speed 2 mph
Min altitude 6529 ft
Peak 7759 ft
Climb 1785 ft
Descent 581 ft

This is a map and basic overview on how to hike the Mirador, or lookout trail, of Apoala Oaxaca. Please note that the village is actually named Santiago Apoala, but it is frequently referred to simply as Apoala. There are many hiking routes from the hamlet of Apoala Oaxaca, but this mirador trail offers one of the best views of the village and the surrounding beautiful mountains.

The Complete Guide to Santiago Apoala | Best Hiking in Oaxaca

Santiago Apoala is a hidden gem village found in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca. It is most famous for the beautiful Apoala Waterfall, but with multiple trails, this village snuggled in the mountains offers up some of the best hiking in Oaxaca Mexico.

⁉️ If downloading the map, please verify that the map is correct and follows the waypoints. Oftentimes, there are daily updates to the site, map platforms, and other external issues that may cause a bug in downloading. Be mindful that this map is solely for entertainment purposes. See my full disclosure here. Always hike responsibly and respect the mountains by following a no-trace philosophy, avoid hiking alone, be conscious of the weather and personal limitations, and do not stray from the visible trail

Logistics of Mirador Hiking Trail in Apoala Oaxaca

Loop Trail

To Viewpoint Lookout Mileage: 2.25 miles

Mirador to Santiago Apoala Oaxaca via Road: 2.75 miles

Total Milegage: 5 miles

TouristEntrance Fee for Santiago Apoala Oaxaca Village: $50 pesos ($2.50 USD)
- Additional Hiking Fees: for access to the two main hiking routes in Santiago Apoala, make sure to pay at the Visitor Center per route.
- The Apoala Waterfall and twin rocks are included inn one route, while the other route includes the mirador hike
- Guides are available for an additional fee
- Official Website of Santiago Apoala Oaxaca Community

Difficulty: Moderate, some sections of the lookout trail are steep and after the stream crossing the trail isn't apparent or marked.

Trail Markers: The trail mostly follows along a dirt path, without trail markers

Excursion Duration: +/- 3.5 hours if you walk back into town

How to Reach the Santiago Apoala Lookout Trail

Make sure to pay the entrance fee per route. Pay at the Centro Ecoturistico Apoala, which can be found right in the center of the tiny hamlet. These fees help the community which highly relies on tourism.

The most popular place to stay in Apoala are the Santiago Apoala Oaxaca cabañas.

The trailhead begins from the main road, in between the cabañas and the Centro Ecoturistico Apoala office. For a reference point, look to the mountain with the big cave! If looking directly at the mountain, the trailhead is to the left of the cave.

Hiking in Santiago Apoala Oaxaca | Mirador Trail

Once you start the trailhead, if you want to visit the cave, make sure to stop at it before you start up the Mirador trail. We thought the trail looped, but in fact does not. There is no way to get from the Mirador point of Apoala and back to the cave, unless you go back to the trailhead. We learned this the hard way, and actually missed the cave entrance. So, make sure if you want to visit the cave, which has paintings, stop there first. Then come back to the trail and follow the map towards the left.

After the cave, keep to the left. The trail climbs up the mountain and offers spectacular views. In a little over a half a mile, arrive at the first lookout point of Santiago Apoala. It is marked by a green cross.

Follow the trail, and a stream will be on the right hand side. Eventually, you will have to cross the stream, but the trail is not well marked. Look for a trail on the other side of the stream, and follow it.

The path continues for a short distance, but then turns into multiple "goat trails." Keep walking and have an offline map. Eventually you will have to turn to the right, and there are a wide range of small paths. If you see the road, keep it to your left. Eventually, the giant cross of the mirador will come into view on the righthand side. From the street, see the dirt path that leads to the lookout point of Apoala Oaxaca.

Remember, there is no way to get back down the mountain, unless you return the way you came, or walk along the road.

Return to Santiago Apoala Oaxaca

When ready, either return on the same path you came up on, or take the road. If you are lucky, you may be able to wave down a taxi or car and hitch hike back into town.

Otherwise, the road twists and turns down the hillside and offers more great views.

Follow along with the road, it will take about an hour to return to Apoala Oaxaca. The cemetery is right before the main entrance of the village of Apoala Oaxaca.

Hiking in Santiago Apoala Oaxaca

This is one of the best hiking routes in Apoala Oaxaca. However, there is still the Apoala Waterfall and the route right next to the Santiago Apoala Oaxaca cabañas, which leads to the twin rocks (Peñas Gemelas). For more details about the hiking in Apoala Oaxaca trails, how to visit from Oaxaca, and photo inspiration, visit the complete blog post.

The Complete Guide to Santiago Apoala | Best Hiking in Oaxaca