Caminos de Sierra de Juarez (San Juan Petlapa Road)
Mexico, north-america
20 km
1,720 m
moderate
Year-round
Craving a Mexican adventure that'll test your driving skills and reward you with unforgettable views? The road to San Juan Petlapa is calling! Forget your average highway – this route, starting near Villa Diaz Ordaz, is a wild ride through the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains.
Imagine this: you begin at 1720 meters above sea level and climb rapidly to Cuajimoloyas at a staggering 3170 meters in just 20 kilometers! From there, you'll descend into valleys, hitting lows around 850 meters, before winding back up again. Weave through charming towns perched on mountainsides, each turn revealing even more breathtaking scenery.
Be prepared for switchbacks galore, especially in the stretch between San Cristobal Lachirioag and San Juan Tabaá – over 40 in just 10 kilometers as you carve your way through a canyon! After navigating past San Cristobal Lachirioag and San Idelfonso Villa Alta, you'll tackle another series of hairpin turns near Santa MarÃa Temaxcalapa, climbing to a mountain pass of 2400 meters. Finally, a rapid descent brings you to San Juan Petlapa at 660 meters.
Keep in mind that the road is rough paved in several sections, with high grades and tight switchbacks, and even towns to drive through! As of now, there's some construction happening beyond San Juan Petlapa towards Jocotepec. This drive is not for the faint of heart, but the stunning mountain vistas and unique cultural experiences make it an adventure you won't soon forget.
Where is it?
Caminos de Sierra de Juarez (San Juan Petlapa Road) is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 23.8427, -101.7452
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 20 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,720 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 23.8427, -101.7452
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