El Mirador, San Juan

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico.  View from El Mirador (The Lookout) near San Juan, a village in the Tepoztlán municipality. Photo by author 

Our local weekly hiking group took this scenic hike near San Juan Tlacotenco, a 5-mile taxi ride from the center of Tepoztlán. The taxi dropped us off on the main street near the bus stop, and we walked straight ahead until the street became a trail into the woods. We visited a spring, then hiked on the main trail to a ladder that brought us to the lookout point, El Mirador, where we were greeted by a vulture.

The Hike In

San Juan is at a much higher altitude than Tepoztlán. It is cooler. Very few non-indigenous people live there. They grow nopal, a cactus that is edible when prepared properly, and flowers--both for market.

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. Top:  A construction worker repairing a stone wall. Bottom: Our group comes to the end of the road where the trail begins. Photo by author

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. As we walked the road, we passed a new school which looked quite expensive to build. Photo by author

We took a very short side trail to look at this spring. I've noticed at least half a dozen springs on my different treks in this area.

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. A spring near El Mirador. Photo by author

We got back on the main trail and hiked to a ladder made of rebar that was firmly attached to the rock. Here is a video including the ladder and the view after climbing it.

The Lookout and Surroundings

From the ladder, it was a short walk out a narrow flat ridge to the end of the lookout point.  A vulture perched on a tree greeted us.

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. A vulture greets us on El Mirador (The Lookout) near San Juan. Photo by author

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. On El Mirador (The Lookout), it was a bit dizzying, but with spectacular views, as in the lead-in image to this article. Photo by author

I had my work cut out for me, both leading the hike and taking photos and videos.

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. Me at "work." 

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The Trail Out

Mostly this trail was easy, but there were some difficult parts, as in the image below.

We had views in one direction of Tepoztlán below, and views of San Juan in another direction.

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. Views of San Juan from El Mirador (The Lookout). Photo by author

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. A happy hiker on a high rock area on the trail out from El Mirador (The Lookout) near San Juan. Photo by author

There were multitudes of breath-taking views along parts of the trail. Unusual rock forms were abundant, as is typical in the Tepoztlán vicinity.

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. Unusual rock forms near El Mirador (The Lookout), near San Juan.                   Photo by author

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. Trees on the trail from El Mirador (The Lookout), near San Juan. These show overgrowth, the left having fruit vines, and the right some fuzzy growth. Photo by author

We made many rest stops along the way to eat snacks, have a drink from our water bottles,  and to enjoy the fresh pine scent.

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. Taking a rest to enjoy the view on the trail near El Mirador (The Outlook), near San Juan. Photo by author

Here's a video I shot at one rest stop:  https://youtube.com/shorts/0SCmKFWso3U

Below is the road out from the trail back into town. If you look closely, you can see the cactus farm.

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico.  The road back to town from the trail at El Mirador (The Lookout),                      near San Juan. Photo by author

As we left town, I took some images of small stores and of the bus stop on Main Street.

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. Main Street in San Juan. Top: Bus stop with the wall promoting electoral candidates. Bottom, middle: An apartment for rent sign. left: small store. Right: a booth. Photo by author

Conclusion

We were tired but happy on our bus ride back to Tepoztlán.

Here is a slideshow depicting the trail and views along the way:

I hope you enjoyed sharing our hike to El Mirador from this post.

If you want to experience the beauty and culture of Tepoztlán first-hand, let us guide you. Sign up for one of our limited half-price options at the Mexico Living Experience.

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