About the Hike:  

San Agustín Etla is a pleasant little village perched on the side of the  hill on the eastern edge of the Etla Valley. It has a great view out  over the valley, and is blessed with an abundant supply of clear, fresh  water flowing year-around from the mountains above. We will hike along the aqueduct going 3.0  miles uphill, gradually rising into one of the valleys nearby to the  ruins of a hydroelectric plant built near the turn of the last century.  The walk along the aqueduct is quite scenic. While the hike has a very moderate gradient of just 1%, it is 6.0 miles  round trip and there is no option to step off the trail and hail a cab  if you tire. However, the footpath is narrow in places and  nonexistent in others, necessitating walking (balancing) on the narrow walls of the water flume itself. Still, this is one of our favorite outings. At the end of  the hike, the Cultural Center in the old textile mill is well worth a  visit, and it is free. The paper factory nearby is also an interesting  place to visit.

You will want to pack a sack lunch to enjoy when we reach the ruins of the hydroelectric plant, which is our turnaround point.

Additional Costs: There is a 50 pesos admission fee, which includes the service of a local guide.(not included in ticket fee)

Distance:  9.65 Km (6.0 Mi)  /  Elevation change:  61 M (200 Ft)  gain & loss  /  Highest elevation:  1938 M (6361 Ft)  /  Type:  out  & back  / Trail:  footpath with some tricky crossings on narrow  ridges  /  Exposure:  mostly full sun  /  Rating: moderate

Time frame:  9:00 Lending Library / 9:45 arrive in San Agustin Etla / 10:00 start  hike / 11:45 arrive at hydroelectric plant & lunch / 12:15 start hike back to San Agustin / 2:00 arrive back in San Agustin — visit  Centro de las Artes or stop for liquid refreshments / 3:00 leave San  Agustin / 3:45 return to Library.

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