Hiking In The Sierra Norte Of Oaxaca

This was probably my best and fondest experience during my 8 days in Oaxaca. Luis, myself, and another hiker did an 18km hike, ~800m elevation gain, in 6+ hours, where we foraged a dozen kinds of mushrooms and had the local villagers cook it over wood fire and we feasted in a cozy spot with an amazing view. Breakfast/brunch was also local and they had some really delicious food which I wasn't expecting to be equally a highlight since its a hiking activity. The hike itself was gorgeous, and coming from Seattle and the PNW, that's a pretty high bar. Overall great experience with amazing food and company. Highly recommend if you are moderately or highly fit.

Luis led a wonderful and beautiful trip into the Sierra Norte and adjusted our route based on our hiking preferences. He is extremely knowledgeable about the geography and wildlife of the area (especially mushrooms) and allows for an engaging and intimate outdoor experience. Wholeheartedly recommend this trip!

Luis is an exceptional guide in every way. Kind, incredibly knowledgeable, a great communicator. Luis was very flexible and tailored the hike to suit our needs. We learnt so many interesting things about the medicinal and culinary uses of the local plants and Luis’ special interest in wild mushrooms was fascinating to hear about. I can’t recommend Luis highly enough.

Hiking in the Sierra Norte with Luis was awesome! The trails are beautiful and Luis is an excellent guide. Really couldn’t recommend it more!

Overall this was a great experience! Luis was a knowledgeable guide. The hike is pretty challenging, especially with the altitude, so if you are not experienced or do not have at least an intermediate fitness level, don’t attempt this.

If you are a hiker that wants a real hike book this experience. The scenery was stunning, with some beautiful view points. There are prehistoric looking, giant agave plants, which were fun to see. Luis is extremely knowledgeable about plants, birds, animals, and herbal medicine. He also takes the time to intuit the needs of the group to create a truly special and memorable experience. His co-guide, valentine (a dog that knows the trails as well as he does), was adorable. They take you off the beaten path. I didn’t see any other hikers. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy delicious local cuisine, with generous portions - breakfast and late lunch. I wish I could give this 6 stars.

This hike was amazing! Louis and his dog Valentin are a great pair to explore Sierra Norte with. It is certainly a difficult hike - make sure you have proper shoes and a moderate level of fitness or hiking experience. The views are incredible and the two meals we had on the hike are the best we’ve had so far in Mexico!

the hike itself was beautiful and the drop off the cliff is insane! the food and company was amazing!! if you’re not a hiker they have a shorter route so don’t worry bc luis is very accommodating. the food at the last spot was insanely good and don’t get me started on the view. if you’re vegan or vegetarian he’ll take care of you too!

An unreal experience! Luis is a great guy, lots of local knowledge and makes such an effort to provide an excellent experience. He allows you to choose what sort of route/difficulty you want and provided great trail mix, water and hiking poles. We haven't hiked in a while and wanted a challenge, and it indeed was tough but so rewarding to be in nature, the views are incredible and worth it. I would 100% recommend! A unique way to experience Oaxacan culture.

This was a really wonderful day all around. The meals were fantastic, the hike was beautiful. Also, it was fun to see communities not set up explicitly to sell items to tourists. Luis tailors the hike to fit everyone's levels. This is a great excursion for nature lovers and experienced hikers.

Wonderful nature, great food and superb guide! Can only recommend, Luis is very knowledgeable and it was a highlight of my travels :)

This was a fabulous day for us—natural beauty, adventure and being in villages outside of Oaxaca. We had 2 delicious meals. We highly recommend this experience. Beware—this hike is at 10,000 + feet and it’s hot. Not recommended for elders unless you’re in top shape.

A fantastic day trip to the mountains with Luis. He was passionate and very knowledgable about the area, flora and fauna. It was great to be able to taste many of the plants which have medicinal uses. Beware, though... you are walking at altitude so a certain amount of fitness is required and expect to be catching your breath as you wouldn't have to do at sea level.

We ended up forfeiting our hike at the eleventh hour as we realized less than 24 hrs into the tour that the hike would take us to an average altitude of 10,300 feet and that the hike was very long, steep and physically demanding. This is a beautiful hike, but only for those healthy and fit enough to take it! We had just taken a tour to Hierva de Agua and somehow assumed the elevation was similar. It is not! The Sierra Norte is way much higher and the hike is much steeper and steady for much longer. Though the guide tries his best to be accomodating, it is not fair to experienced hikers to be burdened with people who can't keep up. Also, should you encounter a medical situation you will be in the middle of nowhere with no access to prompt medical attention.

This was a great experience! We hiked go through many different landscapes with breathtaking views of the Sierra Norte. Luis is a great guide: he's knowledgeable, fun, and did a good job of accommodating different hiking levels. We *so* appreciated the extra hike at the end where we got to explore further. Also the food was amazing! We got to eat breakfast and lunch at two authentic, delicious restaurants. Absolutely would recommend -- this is a very unique experience!

This was one of the better hiking day trip excursions that I've done anywhere. The Sierra del Norte mountains are a great place to get away from the hot and dense city, and there are some beautiful views throughout the area. An effort was made to go above and beyond to cater to hikers of different levels and capabilities, with two cutoff points where participants can offramp. I went with the most strenuous option, which consisted of just over 2600 feet in elevation gain over 6 hours (about 4 hours of active movement) covering just under 8 miles. The two meals covered by the tour were great, as were the fellow participants who had self-selected into this activity.

The best tour we've ever been on. Everything is super organized. The food is delicious. If you ever come to Oaxaca, take this tour. An EXPERIENCE!

Luis took care of all details of this very full day, from coordinating meals at fabulous local restaurants, to providing hiking poles, water, and snacks. I appreciated his knowledge of the flora and fauna found on the hike. I also liked that everything is included in the price.

Luis is an excellent guide. He is very attentive to the group and is very knowledgeable about the flora along the trail. We were very impressed.

Luis was an excellent guide and he did everything possible to make it great day in every way. His dog, Valentine, made it special too. The route he chose matched our skill and stamina quite well, especially considering the elevation. The meals Luis arranged were excellent. A very memorable and fun day! Thank you Luis and Valentine!

We were lucky enough to have a private hike with Luis, and it was a perfect experience from start to finish. He has thoughtfully designed every detail of the day, from a fabulous morning playlist for the drive up, to a delicious pre-hike local breakfast, to the variety of hike distances and difficulties, with ability to decide during the hike once you see what is involved. We loved our 9 mile loop - so many micro-climates, beautiful views, and just-right-for-us adventure in a rock scramble, suspension bridge and tower climb. Luis taught us about many local plants and herbs, and the agave plants were incredible. For me a highlight was our dinner discussion, at a lovely spot to watch the sunset. Luis is a special person and excellent guide. If you have the chance, join him for an epic day!

My husband and I did this hike in January, 2026. Overall I would rate it as an OK experience, but with some caveats. The listing gives the impression there is an "easy" option that is 2-5 kms. That is not what we experienced. The entire group did the first leg of the route, which was approximately 6 kms according to my GPS. There was no option given for a shorter duration of 2-5 kms. The only option provided was that we stop after the first leg of the trip, which as mentioned, is 6 kms. I've hiked all around Canada, the US and Patagonia and let me tell you the first 6 kms is NOT easy as suggested by the listing. By the rating system used by AllTrails I would rate it as intermediate, given that there are quite a few fairly steep hills combined with the distance. The pacing set by our guide was not appropriate for the slower members of the group. Our group was composed of varying levels of physical abilities, and we were often leaving a few people behind and having to wait for them. This isn't enjoyable to either the 'fast' hikers or the 'slow' hikers, as the fast ones are not moving at the speed they wish, and the slow ones feel bad for struggling and making people wait. I did a similar group hike in Parque Nacional Iztaccíhuatl - Popocatépetl about a week earlier, and that hike was grouped into fitness levels. It was much more enjoyable, as people with similar fitness levels were hiking together and could go at the same pace. While the included breakfast on this tour was enjoyable, the 8am departure combined with the breakfast meant we didn't start hiking until 11:30am, which I also didn't really like, as we were basically hiking in the heat of the day. I would have preferred to just eat before departing or on the drive out and start hiking at 9 or 10am to avoid the heat of the day. The hike itself was honestly also not particularly compelling. Most of the first few kms are just through farmers fields and across dirt roads. Overall not the best views. They provided trail mix which was a nice touch. The food for dinner was pretty mediocre, but the unlimited beer was nice. The listing says "lunch" is provided, but we ate at 6pm so it was dinner by most people's standards I think. Overall, I would say this experience was kind of a mixed bag - some good, some not so good.

highly recommend! Luis is great! worth every penny! we stopped twice for food, he's very knowledgable and considerate of your needs and questions!

Rating for Luis, our guide, and for the meals, the planning and organization, etc. 5/5 For the experience, my rating is 4/5, and this is not the fault of the guide nor the tour company. Our group experienced one of those days where the weather was cold with intermittent strong winds plus occasional rain. The top of the mountain was encased in cloud, so no views from the viewpoints! So, if doing this hike in January, be prepared for inclement weather: clothing layers, toque, gloves, etc. I wore hiking boots, and was thankful I did because many trail surfaces are uneven, rocky, slippery or covered with protruding roots, covered in wet leaves, etc. Some in the group wore running shoes, and did just fine, but I’d still lean towards boots in hindsight. I’m an experienced hiker, and had been acclimatized to the altitude in the region for several weeks. In spite of this, I found some uphill legs challenging. Fortunately, Luis set a good pace: not too fast with plenty of stops for educational purposes, providing information about local flora and fauna. We ended up covering 9.6 km in five hours, and 9,400’-10,200’ for elevation range. The breakfast and late afternoon lunch were excellent!

There are just not enough amazing things to say about Luis and this experience. He really does tailor it to your group's overall hiking level -- and that's incredibly important. These hikes are high in the mountains, and your breath gets cut quickly. He watches even when you don't think he is, just to make sure he's keeping everyone safe. Our group was one made of 4 solo travelers, experienced hikers who were ready for the long-haul. It was rainy and cold, but it was still such a special experience in its own right. Starting the day with a traditional breakfast and ending it 8 hours later with a traditional dinner were the icing on the cake. Throughout the entire hike, Luis was a wealth of knowledge -- from Oaxacan culture to flowers and fauna to mushrooms. In fact, we found one single mushroom on our hike, and Luis carried it in his palm for more than 3 hours just so we could cook it up and share it in a quesadilla at dinner. He's a great guy with so much passion for what he does. I'd follow him into the Sierra Norte any day of the week. Quite literally, one of the best guided hikes I've done.

Fantastic guide! Great knowledge of the area, the local customs, and all the plts. Highly recommended !

It was one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever been on. Quite strenuous at times but well worth the effort. Luis Fernando was very knowledgeable about the terrain, plants and community. The breakfast and dinner after the walk was wonderful as was the restaurants and the sunset.

We had a great time on this outing. Luis was a phenomenal guide: knowledgeable about the flora and fauna as well as the indigenous culture in the region, but also a very funny and charming person. The scenery was every bit as stunning as we had imagined from the photographs, and both meals were delicious. A word to the wise: wear hiking boots. It's not the most strenuous hiking in the world, but you will need some traction and ankle support!

This was a varied and interesting hike. There was a bonus (optional) zip line in the middle, which was a major highlight. The food on either end was generous and delicious, as was the trail mix provided. However, expectations were set that we’d be back to Oaxaca City between 6 and 8, and we did not get back until 9:30 pm. The last piece of the hike was basically straight up.

If you love nature and hiking, do not miss this. Luis Fernando went above and beyond to show us all the greatest lookouts, to describe the communities living in the area and identify plants and mushrooms. Our group was thankfully keen on hiking so we went fairly far -- it was a workout in the best of ways! I was surprised by the quality of breakfast and late lunch/dinner. Luis took us to a local restaurant in the evening with a gorgeous view of the sunset and delicious food. This was the highlight of my trip and I'll definitely book with Luis when I return to Oaxaca. Don't make plans for the evening in case the day runs late. Your plans aren't worth leaving early :)

Thos is a great opportunity for local experience in Oaxaca. You will have a knowledgable guide Luis who knows the mountain and local places very well. I was the only person on this tour and even though I was not much experienced we managedcto hike for 10 km and saw some beautuful views in these mountains, eat amazing local food and enjoy the fresh air away from somewhat busy Oaxaca city.

Luis and Valentin were fantastic guides! Luis explained a lot about the different flora and fauna and was more than happy to answer any questions. He was all around a good vibe! I would highly recommend this tour for anyone a bit more adventurous and looking to get out of the city.

Wonderful hike in the high mountains above Oaxaca. Luis is a great guide - knowledgeable about natural history and culture, sensitive to abilities and ambitions of his hikers. Highly recommended.

Wonderful hike in the high mountains above Oaxaca. Luis is a great guide - knowledgeable about natural history and culture, sensitive to abilities and ambitions of his hikers. Highly recommended.

The hiking tour with Luis was an absolute highlight of my entire trip to Mexico. The landscape and its flora and fauna are simply breathtaking. What makes this tour special is that Luis doesn't prescribe a fixed route, but adapts the route to the fitness level of the group. In our case, he offered a particularly challenging option for the most ambitious hikers, but even we (the "average hikers" ;) were able to experience adventurous routes and climb to spectacular viewpoints. This flexibility is only possible because Luis not only knows the area extremely well, but also possesses a remarkable talent for assessing the needs and abilities of a group and creating a fantastic experience for everyone. The entire organization (transfers, meals, communication, etc.) was very professional, and the included meals were simply delicious. I am grateful for everything!

My family had a wonderful day Hiking with Luis from Mas Montana. Spending the day with Luis was like visiting with an old friend. He really made us feel taken care of. He was so helpful explaining to us all the food options available, and he was so nice to the ladies running the family run restaurants we ate at, it felt like eating with your grandma. We visited fancy restaurants in Oaxaca, but those 2 were some of our favorites. If you like to hike or need some time away from the hustle and bustle of Oaxaca, contact Mas Montana for a unique and unforgettable experience.

Review: Sierra Norte Hike with Luis and Valentín An excellent day out. Meeting up was simple and Luis was there right on time. The drive up was relaxed and broken up by a really good breakfast on the way. The hiking pace was spot on, steady enough for everyone to enjoy it without feeling rushed. Luis provided water and some great trail mix, and his dog Valentín was outstanding company throughout. We reached a couple of viewpoints before heading to the rope bridge. A few of us tried the zip lines which were fantastic and surprisingly cheap. The logistics were handled neatly. The more experienced hikers carried on up the final section while the others were driven to the meeting point for cold beers and a chat. Hard to say who got the better deal. Dinner at the restaurant was a great finish and the drive back was calm and easy. Luis knows the area inside out, explains everything well and keeps the whole group comfortable and engaged. Thoroughly recommended, five stars. And yes, the dog really is amazing.

Amazing! Great look at the Oaxaca countryside and a challenging hike, but calibrated to the fitness levels of the participants. Great food and company and a knowledgeable, generous guide. Go if you can!

Luis is a great guide. His English is good and he's knowledgeable. You should ask him all the questions. If you like hiking and enjoy a hiking challenge, you can depend on Luis to give you a good challenge. If you're lucky, you'll get to hike with Luis' dog like us 😜 We enjoyed the time hiking with Luis and the rest of the group very much. Check out his website, he has different hiking options.

We had a great time on our hike in the Sierra Norte. The entire day was perfectly planned by Luis, from breakfast to the peaceful drive home. We enjoyed the meals at the restaurants for breakfast and lunch and we loved the hike. Luis is a very thoughtful person and had an excellent plan for our group. We had some people with different levels of experience with hiking and Luis made everyone feel happy and comfortable. He was very knowledgeable about the plants and animals of the area and you could feel his love for the land. He was also just fun to hang out with! I would highly recommend this tour.

Luis is very experienced in leading groups through this area. He adjusts the demands of the hike to the individuals that show up, as he knows many trails and their connections. He’s great in botany particularly plants with traditional medical uses. He’s very engaging and enjoyable. The area is really gorgeous with some great views.

We truly had an extraordinary time on this hike and day trip with Luis and Valentin, his beloved and extremely well-behaved dog. Luis was exceedingly knowledgeable about the region's flora, fauna, and culture as advertised. He told us about the plants along the way and even took some freshly cut mushrooms to our dinner-time restaurant for preparation and enjoyment with our meal. Talk about "farm to table!" Luis was very good at pacing the group according to ability level. Although I (Lisa) was the slowest hiker in our group of six, he did help me along quite nicely, so much so that we were able to complete the intermediate hike with ease. We also were able to climb, appreciate, and enjoy stunning vistas from the tops of rock formations. These experiences were once in a lifetime opportunities that we will never forget. Additionally, the breakfast and dinner were replete with an abundance of delectable food choices, all of which were tantalizing and representative of the local cuisine. All cooked to order! In short, it was a perfect day that we will never forget and we are sincerely grateful to Luis for providing such an amazing opportunity. We highly recommend this hike and day trip. Heartfelt thanks to you, Luis. - Lisa and Gary

I can’t recommend Luis enough for a hiking tour! From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. He took care of transportation, set the mood with a fantastic playlist on the way to the mountains, and tailored the hike perfectly to our skill level. Along the trail, Luis shared fascinating insights about the local flora and fauna, which made the experience even more special. If you’re looking for a guide who’s knowledgeable, thoughtful, and fun, Luis is the one! And if you want to get out of the city and enjoy some fresh air, the mountains are the perfect place!

We loved this experience with Luis Fernando where we hiked up to 10,000’ in the Sierra Madre mountains. I went with my 6 year son and Luis was very helpful in helping climb the steeper areas. We even got to zip line at the end!

So happy that we booked this hike with Luis through Benito Juarez. It was a challenging hike, but Luis gave us tips and encouraged us along the way. Plus his dog Valentine was with us which only added to the fun! Luis was extremely knowledgeable about the different plants and mushrooms in the area and knew all of the different trails inside and out. I told him I didn't do well with going down steep hills and he customized our hike to accommodate this. He also took us to amazing restaurants where the food was truly homemade and one of the best meals we had in Oaxaca. Luis was also great to chat with and spend the day with. Would definitely book with him again!

I had the chance to do both the Santiago Apoala waterfalls tour and the Sierra Norte tour, and both were incredible experiences. The scenery on each hike was absolutely stunning- lush landscapes, fresh mountain air, and views that made every step worth it. Each tour had its own unique beauty, but what they both had in common was the relaxing energy throughout. The pace was comfortable, and I appreciated the well-curated music playlist that added to the calm vibe during the rides. After the hikes, we were treated to delicious local food that really hit the spot- fresh and flavorful. It was the perfect way to wind down after exploring. Luis was kind, attentive, and made everyone feel at ease. If you’re looking to see the natural beauty around Oaxaca with a great guide, peaceful vibes, and amazing food, I highly recommend these tours!

We loved the experience and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to enjoy some time in the beautiful mountains outside of the capital of Oaxaca. Everything from the transportation, the meals, and the hike itself was fantastic. Luis is a great communicator and made sure we were prepared for the hike. It is strenuous, especially if you aren't used to being at such a high elevation, but it is definitely worth the effort. The views are amazing and our group went at a pace that made sure we could all keep up. You should plan on spending the whole day on this activity as it is a bit of a drive each way, but it is a worthwhile way to spend a day in Oaxaca.

Luis is an amazing guide, and we had a fantastic time, The views from the mountain were incredible. I struggled with some uphill sections but Luis was incredibly supportive.

Luis is a wonderful guide. Very knowledgeable about the mountains, their plants and wildlife. He is very attentive and adjusts the hikes to fit the needs and desires of the hikers. Food was also wonderful. eat food. Great experience!