Map of Routes between Acul and Nebaj
(For those of you uninterested in trail descriptions, photos are at the end of the post.)
Acul II
Distance: 7.25 km
Total Elevation Gained: 520 m
Total Elevation Lost: 520 m
I’ve already described the most direct route into Acul. This is definitely not the most direct, but it is a good hike with nice views (and it is pleasant to hike out one trail and return via the other.)
Start at the plaza in Nebaj, opposite the church. Facing the church, turn 90 degrees to your right and start walking. As you walk down this street you should pass Popi’s (Hostel, Restaurant, and Laundry) on the right. After you cross the bridge and just beyond the Oasis (Store and Cantina) you will come to a junction where you must either follow the main road to the left or veer slightly right onto a smaller road. Follow the main road to the left and then at the next junction continue on the main road to the right. A little while later you will pass between two cemeteries and then a big athletic field and track (on the left). The road gets narrow after this but continues to climb past houses and milpa. Eventually you will cross two streams on cement bridges that have cement guardrails. After the second of those bridges the route gets a little rougher downgrading from a dirt road to a wide trail. Also shortly after the second such bridge, at a switchback where the trail bends sharply to the left, there is a narrow side trail on the right (at 2.5 km). I’ll describe that side trail below (Acul III). Staying on the main trail you will continue switching back and climbing to a saddle (at 3.5 km), catching nice views of Nebaj as you go. From the saddle the trail continues to climb up the Acul side of the ridge, and just a few minutes past the saddle you’re rewarded with a great view of Acul from a nice grassy area. From there the trail climbs briefly before beginning to descend while still traversing the slope. After descending for about 1 km the trail begins to climb again (still traversing southward) and there’s a side trail down to the right (at 4.75 km). This trail is well used but narrower than the trail you are on. Head down it and shortly you’ll come to the corner of a pasture with a gate. It’s a good bet that most trails down from here will eventually take you to Acul but I turned left here to traverse a little more and then right at a fork (still traversing but slightly down now). That lead me to a flat wooded area with a junction where I could either continue traversing to the left and down or turn right and descend along the top of a ridge. Again, I suspect either way will get you to Acul but I went right, down the ridge. The trail is steep and braided, but stays on the ridge for quite a while. There’s a nice spot part way down the ridge with a bunch of rock boulders and a view into the valley to the south. As the ridge nears the valley bottom the trail departs the ridge going slightly to the south (left) and then meets a much larger trail by a stream (at 5.75 km). At this junction go right to follow the main trail as it follows the stream into Acul.
Acul III
Distance: 5.75 km
Total Elevation Gained: 370 m
Total Elevation Lost: 370 m
See the directions above for the beginning of this trail description. After turning right off the main trail you will be on a narrow trail bounded by barbed wire traversing the slope. Follow the trail down as it turns 90 deg to the right but then take your first left. From here stick to the largest trail and avoid descending, and you should traverse up towards a rounded pass. Eventually you will intersect the main trail between Nebaj and Acul just before it begins descending into Acul. Here you can turn sharply right to head back down to Nebaj or stay left to continue into Acul.
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- Map of Routes between Acul and Nebaj
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- View on the way out of Nebaj before trails II and III diverge
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- Kids carrying firewood down the mountain
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- View of Acul from the south
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- Nebaj as seen from route III
