Enduro motorcycling, also known as off-road, is one of the most intense, exciting and physically and mentally exhausting sports in which adrenaline and great adventures reign.
Accelerate your motorcycle, listen to the roar of the engine and run at full speed through the Mexican Republic is a unique experience, where you can climb mountains and volcanoes such as the snowy Toluca and the Pico de Orizaba, cross the deserts like the one in Baja California , the Sierra Gorda de Querétaro, the Veracruz dunes or overcome the muddy jungle roads of Tabasco. The biodiversity and variety of ecosystems in Mexico make it unique to travel wonderful routes in which, in addition, you will be able to know its invaluable cultural, ethnic, historical, gastronomic and archaeological wealth.
In off-road motorcycling you can choose between two-wheeled motorcycles and ATVs. Both follow the same competition models: tour a circuit in the shortest possible time. The track must have a lot of mud, sand, rocks, ditches, ramps, crossing streams and steep slopes. In this mode the resistance of the rider and his motorcycle is essential. In the rally the pilots travel long distances, among the most famous are the Paris-Dakar Rally and Baja 1000. The third mode is recreation and travel, which consists of making long journeys with your friends on roads and dirt roads. The most frequented places near Mexico City are the Ajusco, La Marquesa and Valle de Bravo. Between the latter and the Nevado de Toluca there are endless routes. In specialized stores you can contact groups and join tours; Remember that it is better to be accompanied, at least by one person, to resolve any unforeseen events.
In Mexico there are companies that organize motorcycle trips such as All Terrain and River and Mountain, which currently manages the MotoExplor program: guided weekend trips to long expeditions, they organize the entire trip, you only put your motorcycle and if you do not have, they rent you one. Here are some of the best routes in Mexico.
Discover the Veracruz tropic
On that three-day route you will travel 150 kilometers through the tropical and coastal region of Veracruz. This adventure begins in Jalcomulco, by the Pescados River. During this journey you will drive through reeds to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, where you will discover the magical dunes of Chachalacas. By the way, and if you still have energy, experience the descent into the river or relax with a temacal.
Explore the Tabasco jungle
In this adventure you will explore the exotic jungle region Agua Selva, located on the border of the states of Tabasco, Veracruz and Chiapas, you will marvel at the landscape: there are more than 50 waterfalls and rugged mountains such as the hill of “La Pava”. The starting point is the Zoque de Mújica town. This crossing is full of muddy roads and natural obstacles. In Mújica you can stay in a rustic ecological hotel attended by people from the region. Enjoy traditional food and to recover you can make a “limpia” with Don Antonio, the town shaman. To get to Agua Selva take the highway that goes from Coatzacoalcos to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, there you will find the deviation.
Crossing the Sierra Gorda
Three days are enough to tour one of the most rugged regions of the Sierra Madre Oriental. Known as the Sierra Gorda, it is one of the most beautiful reserves in Mexico, rich in natural and cultural diversity. You can be hypnotized by its canyons, mountains, waterfalls and chasms scattered on almost 384 thousand hectares. The adventure begins in Peña Bernal, from there drive to Pinal de Amoles, then continue to Puerta del Cielo, the highest point in the mountains, where you will find the deviation heading to the Bucareli Mission, to get there you will have to drive through dusty and stony dirt roads that are bordering spectacular. The ruins are spectacular. Very close to this place and on the bank of the Extoraz River is the ecotourism camp of the Wild Boar, which has cabins and restaurant (very good, by the way), it is necessary to book in advance.
Conquest the Huasteca Hidalguense
In this route, also of three days, you will discover places that you had never imagined. It is advisable to leave Otongo, three hours from Pachuca, nestled in the mountains and surrounded by a Mesophilic forest (known as the “Camino a las agujas” or “Lugar de hormigas”), discovered in the late fifties by miners this is the largest manganese deposit in North America, dating from the Precambrian era.
Get ready to explore a tropical territory. You will cross numerous rivers and streams. The San Miguel waterfall (50 meters high) is one of the most impressive views of the road. Be sure to try zacahuil, a gigantic tamal that prepares to invite you to parties always set by Huapangos and Huasteco songs.
Mexico from coast to coast
This trip is reserved for experienced pilots. It begins in the Port of Veracruz and concludes in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. On this one-week route, you will have to overcome 1500 kilometers of the most rugged roads and the most beautiful landscapes in Mexico. You will cross the dunes of Chachalacas, the mountains of Orizaba, the Sierra de Zongolica, the desert and the Oaxacan jungle until you reach the beach of Puerto Escondido. Stop in Orizaba, on the slopes of the Citlaltépetl volcano, in the city of Oaxaca, and relax surfing. Once on the coast, visit the lagoons of Chacahua and Manialtepec or the beaches of Puerto Ángel, Zipolite, Mazunte and San Agustinillo. For this trip we recommend you to hire the services of specialized guides who know the roads.
Along the Baja California Peninsula
This 15-day trip is undoubtedly one of the best in the world. You can follow the route of the Baja 1000. You will drive through: La Paz, Los Cabos, the Sierra de la Giganta (visit the Jesuit missions such as Loreto, San Xavier, San Miguel and San José de Comondú, La Purísima, Mulejé and San Ignacio), the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, Los Angeles Bay (in winter the whales arrive) and San Felipe.
What to bring: Protective equipment: cross-type helmet, boots, torso-shoulders protector, knee pads, elbow pads, gogles, girdle, gloves, backpack with hydrating bag, motocross pants and sleeping bag. It is recommended to carry “talk about” radios and a GPS.
What to do and how to drive to respect nature: always use existing roads and not leave them. Do not circulate over vegetation. Take bags to store the trash, don’t throw it away. Avoid campfires, but if you light one: make sure you make a circle of stones to prevent the fire from spreading and turn it off before retiring. Do not modify the escape of your ATV, the less noise and discomfort we cause we will be better received in the villages. Do not cut wire fences, chains, padlocks, etc. And always ask permission to go through some land. When you pass through villages slow down, so you avoid accidents and inconvenience.
