Sierra Norte (Oaxaca)

This is an itinerary for exploring a mountain range in Oaxaca, Mexico. Do not confuse this region with the Sierra Norte de Sevilla in Spain.

Sierra Norte de Oaxaca is a mountainous region in Oaxaca that is a well-known itinerary that explores a hiking trail that connects small Zapotec villages. The Sierra Norte de Oaxaca is a sub-range of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range, which covers most of the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico.

The Sierra Norte can be a challenging, but richly rewarding, area to visit. Challenging because it is remote and requires a reasonable level of fitness (and a tough skin because nothing will be sugar-coated or involve pampering). It is best for the experienced trekker who can hike 20 km per day with steep elevation changes and who is very flexible about food, accommodations and transportation options (or rather, the lack thereof, unless you consider a burro a vehicle). It rewards travelers who can boldly travel "off the beaten path" as you may have difficulty finding guides on your own, let alone anyone who can speak English (or even Spanish, for that matter). If you try visiting without guides you will likely find it difficult to communicate since the predominate language is Zapotec. If you don't mind going "where no gringo has gone before", then you'll find spectacular mountain landscapes and experience an authentic slice of Mexican culture that even few Mexicans know exists.

In 2025, Travel + Leisure magazine listed it as one of the world's 10 best "Not Hot" destinations (places that are quite unpopular, never crowded, yet utterly spectacular).