Track 13, Ixtacamaxtitlan to Tolantongo

RideMex, Track 13, Ixtacamaxtitlan to Tolantongo

General information:

Track 13 meanders into central Mexico, not far from Mexico City, to Teotihuacan, Mexico’s most impressive archeological site, with its massive pyramids of the sun and moon. The site was once North America’s largest city and its architecture and engineering feats were an inspiration to the Aztecs who ruled central Mexico when the Spanish conquest began. It then heads north from the central plateau into the eastern Sierra Madre mountains north of Pachuca, the capital of the Mexican state of Hidalgo. The weather is exceedingly pleasant in this region, among the peach, apple, pear, oak and pine trees. There are mountain glades with holstein cows, as the climate is temperate and much like spring or fall in the middle  to northern latitudes of Europe and the USA. In the middle of the sierra is the former mining town of Mineral del Chico: quaint, beautiful and clean. The route drops down to the east into the Metztitlan canyons, where the weather gets warmer and cacti abound. As you get closer to Lake Meztitlan you will ride through large walnut orchards until you rise up into the wilderness areas in the mountains on the south side of the lake. The canyons and precipices full of cacti and rocks make the scenery seem like that of one of the old Western movies. You will then drop off into the incredible valley with the river and pools of Tolantongo, which is truly one of the wonders of the world. Online pictures give it a surreal beauty, but it is even more beautiful in person. The route is 483 kilometers (300 miles) long and goes between 1004 and 2929 meters (3294 and 9610 feet). Here is the elevation chart:
 

 

Normal daytime temperatures on the route are between 10 and 32 degrees Celsius (50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit). But typically temperatures at the warmest time of day are about 27 Celsius (80 Fahrenheit) for much of the route, with the exception of the Sierra Madre Mountains outside of Pachuca that are around 21 degrees Celsius (70 Fahrenheit). Track 13 has great riding and amazing sites as do all RideMex’s tracks. We put years into creating the best TransMexico Trail possible! Enjoy!

 

Recommendations:

1. Tucked away in the rugged highlands of Puebla, Ixtacamaxtitlán is a hidden gem for adventure riders seeking off-the-beaten-path exploration. This remote region offers a mix of winding dirt roads, challenging mountain trails, and stunning panoramic views of the Sierra Norte de Puebla. With its rich pre-Hispanic history, riders can discover ancient ruins, colonial-era churches, and traditional indigenous communities that preserve centuries-old customs. Spend at least a half day here, if not a full day. 
2. You must visit Teotihuacan: home to the awe-inspiring Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, this vast pre-Hispanic city, once one of the largest in the world, offers a breathtaking glimpse into Mexico’s ancient civilizations. Standing atop the Pyramid of the Sun, with the Avenue of the Dead stretching below, riders can soak in the still palpable energy of a civilization that thrived over 2,000 years ago. This is one of the major highlights of the RideMex route. 
3. Don’t miss Mineral del Chico and the eastern Sierra Madre mountains The area is picturesque with a wonderful climate.
4. The Meztitlan canyon and lake are vastly different landscapes from that of the highlands outside of Pachuca. They have their own desert flavor. Hike in the canyon or in the mountains beside the lake. 
5. Hidden deep in the rugged canyons of the Mexican state of Hidalgo, Grutas de Tolantongo is a breathtaking oasis that literally feels like something out of a dream. The journey to Tolantongo is as thrilling as the destination itself—twisting mountain roads, high-altitude dirt tracks, and stunning canyon vistas make every mile an unforgettable ride. Upon arrival, riders are rewarded with steaming turquoise thermal pools, cascading waterfalls, and a mystical cave system where warm mineral-rich waters flow from the volcanic roots of this mountain chain. Nestled between towering cliffs, this natural wonder offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Tolantongo is a marvel that you will never forget. We nearly forgot to put in on the route as we had hundreds of destinations to visit and link as part of our track verification, then an ADV-rider friend reminded us of its existence! What is the geological chance that you will have a cool-water subterranean river coming out of a mountain right beside a hot water stream coming out of the same mountain, with a waterfall cascading over both of these natural tunnel entrances? The geological chance is almost zero. The spot is indeed unique and magical. 

 

Fill up on gasoline/petrol at the following places to avoid any range anxiety: 

1. In Chignahuapan, there is a gas station right on the track
2. In Teotihuacan
3. Epazoyucan at kilometer 245 has a gas station of you didn’t get gas in Teotihuacan. 
4. In Atotonilco el Grande, right before going into the Meztitlan Canyon at kilometer 332, there is a short RideMex track tangent that turns off to the right and goes into the city. The gas station is at the end of this tangent. 
5. There is a gas station on the route in the town of Meztitlan.
6. If you continue on to Track 14 there is a Pemex right past Tolantongo in the little town of San Cristobal. 

 

Recommended places to stay:

1. Stay at the Hotel Razo Ixtacomaxtitlan. It is the only place to stay in Ixtacomaxtitlan where Track 13 starts and it is nice and inexpensive. The rooms are comfortable, it has a nice courtyard and is located right on the town’s main park with a great view of the surrounding mountains. East northeast of the town high up at the top of the mountain is an overlook and a good camping spot. At kilometer 486.5 on Track 12 (the previous track), there is a RideMex tangent that leads up to the camping spot. This tangent is right before the town of Ixtacomaxtitlan. If you don’t have track 12, you can ask the locals how to get to the overlook (mirador in Spanish) and camping spot. 
2. The hotel, El Sueño de Quetzalcoatl Posada, is a nice place to stay in Teotihuacan. It is right beside the archeological site and has good protected parking. Posada Jade is few blocks away in the event that Sueño de Quetzalcoatl Posada is full, which it sometimes is as the archeological site is popular. The lady who owns and runs the posada is very nice and she will prepare meals for you for a reasonable fee if you ask her. She has safe parking on her property. There are many other places to stay in the area. 
3. Right before Mineral del Chico is the little town of Carboneras. If you would like a homestay-like experience, there are little cabins on a mountain slope and a wonderful family who runs them. Call the following number to make a reservation with Ivan: +52-55-4323-3830. The landscape is green with forest and pastureland. There are sheep, cows, hiking trails and the food is wonderful! 
4. You can stay in Mineral del Chico at the Hotel Casa Zuli. The rooms are  quite nice, the location is just one block of the main square and the atmosphere is pleasant. 
5. At kilometer 406.7 (mile 253) there is a tangent on RideMex that goes to Lake Meztitlan and up around its eastern and northern side. The tangent ends a place called Centro Turístico El Arroyo. This is a good place to get a comfortable clean room or camp. There is a small stream, a pool and it is safe for you bike. They also have a descent restaurant. The hill above the site has a great view of the lake.
6. There are plenty of places to wild camp between Lake Meztitlan and Tolantongo. 
7. At Tolantongo, there is good official camping with amenities including showers, sinks, and bathrooms. You can get a nice spot right along the river for about US $10 per night per vehicle. The river camping spots are basically midway between the thermal tunnel and waterfall and the pools terraced into the hillside. You can either hike up the path to the pools or you can ride your bike up and park in the parking lot. There are also a number of of hotels you can choose from.