My next stop was Hierve el Agua which was about a 2 hour drive SE of Oaxaca City. It was a quite a ride up and then down the mountain full of twists and turns on unpaved roads. The trail then leads down to the base of the mountain which takes 20 minutes to hike.
What makes Hierve el Agua so special is the collection of pools at the site fed by mineral springs that flow at about 2 liters/second. Two waterfalls with beautiful calcium deposits drop over cliffs in the Sierra Madres at an altitude of 5800 ft behind you. If you decide to take a dip you won't be disappointed. It feels like you are in an infinity pool, and you are completely surrounded by mountains.
The springs were used in a Zapotec irrigation system dating back to around 1300 B.C. The water has a high calcium carbonate and magnesium content that has resulted in the heavy deposits. The water bubbles with escaping air giving the appearance that it is boiling, and that is how the place got its name.
Next stop a Mezcal Factory.
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