el Compadre Loop
- OTG Crew
- Oct 20, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
El Compadre Loop connects two of northern Baja's popular off road routes creating the perfect weekend get away through the boulders and pine forests of the Sierra Juarez Mountains.
Route Overview
Trip Length & Season
Adventure Rating: Epic Trip Length: 141 miles, 1.5 - 4 days Season: Typically year round, but the section from La Rumarosa to Highway 3 occasionally experiences snow during the winter months. Travel is not advised with heavy mud or snow.
Digital Maps & GPX Files
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Technical Ratings & Terrain
Avg Technical Rating: 2
Peak Technical Rating: 4
Typical Terrain: Wide graded dirty roads that can get sandy, and expect washboards. The first section that is La Rumarosa Hill Climb is the most technical (rocky, steep, and lots of exposure). Conditions in Baja can be extremely variable, so be prepared for the worst (and to turnaround).
Recommended Vehicle / Moto / Adventure Vans
Recommended Vehicle: Stock 4x4
Recommended Moto: Mid-sized bike for some of the moderate terrain.
Adventure Vans: Yes! But you'll need to skip La Rumarosa hill climb and stick to Laguna Hanson Road. Variable conditions on el Compadre Trail (suffers from ruts and other erosion) may be difficult for Sprinter 4x4s to navigate, but you're welcome to give it a shot.
Fuel, Provisions, and Recommended Gear
Fuel:
La Rumarosa to Ojos Negros is 82 mi
Ojos Negros to El Hongo is 30 mi
Provisions: Provisions can be obtained in the same general vicinity as fuel. Gear: n/a
Alternative Routes
n/a
Camping Recommendations
There are numerous ranches along much of the route. Many ranchers are willing to let you stay on their land for a small fee. Don't be afraid to talk to the locals, even if you know little to no Spanish. Our favorite places to set up camp tend to be among the giant boulders of the Sierra Juarez near canon del Tajo.
Discovery Points
La Rumarosa Hill Climb
Stone House
Mirador Ojo de Aguila
Field Alaska Museum
Vallecito Archaeological Site (cave paintings)
Viewpoint Canon del Tajo
Laguna Hanson
1857 Constitution National Park
Ojos Negros
Rancho el Compadre
Land Managers & Resources
Permits & Papers
You will need a passport and Mexican vehicle insurance to cross the US-Mexico border. Check Bajabound.com for the low down on vehicle travel in Mexico. Gates are becoming more and more of an issue throughout Baja, and it's possible you may encounter a local (or group) manning a gate and demanding permits or payment. Most people are able to pass without issue, but if you're traveling on a weekend, one of the local ejidos or a rancher may closer their gate in hopes of shaking down off road travelers for a few bucks.
Adventure Badge
OTG has partnered with All Roads Taken to offer an adventure badge for this route.
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Route Details
If there was ever a place synonymous with off-road travel, Baja would likely hold the crown. Sure, sure, the Aussies may try to make a valid argument with their numerous dirt tracks through the outback that extend for up to 1,000 km at a time without services. Yet, whether you're on a dirt bike, ATV, SxS, Land Cruiser, heavily modified Jeep, or a hulking 20,000 lb Earth Cruiser, you'll find them all in Baja. Americans love to talk about freedom, but anyone who’s ever experienced the Baja outback knows that freedom is best experienced far away from bustling city streets. Whether you're a seasoned vet or hitting the trails in Baja for the first time, the El Compadre Loop is sure to keep you smiling and coming back for more.
El Compadre Loop connects two of northern Baja's popular gateway routes, and the track can be driven in either direction. To the east lies Camino a la Laguna Hanson (Laguna Hanson Road), and to the west, the namesake El Compadre Trail connects Ojos Negros with El Hongo. El Compadre Trail is a favorite among off-roaders of all types, so don't be surprised if you run into Jeeps, SxS, and dirt bikes ripping along the track. Laguna Hanson Road is also popular among locals, especially during the summer months when many visit and camp at Laguna Hanson and Constitution 1857 National Park.
We begin our route with the famous La Rumorosa hill climb {discovery point}, which has been a key trail in numerous Baja rally races and is often referred to simply as "La Rumorosa." Expect a lot of cliff exposure going up the steep, loose, and rocky switchbacks as you rapidly gain elevation. Don't be deterred if the heat is sweltering along La Rumorosa; the track continues to gain elevation, and temperatures will begin to cool. Once you reach the town of La Rumorosa, there are a number of cool sites to check out, like the Giant Stone House {discovery point} and the Campo Alaska Museum {discovery point}. Additionally, the views atop Mirador Ojo de Aguila {discovery point} (which translates to Eagle Eye Viewpoint) are fantastic. The town of La Rumorosa is the perfect place to top off your fuel, as you won't see any gas stations until reaching Ojos Negros.
La Rumorosa and the entire track to the south sit in the Sierra Juarez highlands. The Sierra Juarez Mountains parallel the track to the east and descend precipitously to Laguna Salada, which sits as much as 5,000 feet below the granite-crested mountaintops. Just south of town are numerous hiking trails to interesting rock formations, and if you're lucky, you might even stumble across some cave paintings. Laguna Hanson Road is relatively wide and well-maintained compared to your typical Baja trail. However, you can expect sand, washboards, and quite a bit of traffic during the summer months when locals flock to Laguna Hanson for camping.
One of the things we love most about this track is that it features a variety of biomes that you may not expect in Baja unless you've traveled the high country before. The giant granite boulders and rock outcroppings are immediately noticeable, but you'll pass everything from dusty desert landscapes with cacti, scrub, and chaparral to pine forests and even deciduous forests. If you can, head over to the Cañón del Tajo viewpoint {discovery point}, which requires a short but steep hike through the rocks. The views down the canyon are impressive, and if you make it up to the viewpoint atop Gran Trono, you'll be amazed at the awe-inspiring views of Laguna Salada below—you might even catch a glimpse of the Sea of Cortez to the southeast.
Laguna Hanson {discovery point} is a popular hiking and camping destination sitting within Constitution 1857 National Park {discovery point}. While there isn't much water in Laguna Hanson, the pine forest and rock outcroppings have a special charm, and the park is the perfect place for a lunch break or to set up camp for the night. About 20 miles south of Laguna Hanson, the trail hits the pavement of Highway 3. Take Highway 3 West for a short jaunt until you reach the pueblo of Ojos Negros. Once you leave the pavement, you're on the famed El Compadre Trail.
El Compadre is a bit more rugged than Laguna Hanson Road, and you can expect to see a few off-road travelers, as this is a favorite launching point for Americans and Canadians crossing the border and heading south. You'll want to stay vigilant for dirt bikers as the sight lines aren't nearly as good on much of El Compadre Trail, especially given its narrower width. Be advised that El Compadre Trail is much more remote than Laguna Hanson Road. While there are a number of ranches, including the trail's namesake Rancho el Compadre {discovery point}, ranches and homesteads along the southern section are few and far between. This could mean walking 20+ miles if you were to suffer a breakdown. The official El Compadre Trail ends just west of El Hongo (translates to "The Mushroom"), but it's possible to split off onto one of the dirt tracks to the east and head straight into town, which is the terminus of this Baja quickie.
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