One of the most scenic sections of Highway 85 is between Ciudad Valles and Tamazunchale. Exotic tropical vegetation grows luxuriantly along the highway. The quaint old town of Tamazunchale lies at the foot of the Sierra Madre Oriental on the south side of the Montezuma River. Butterflies and birds are the town's most popular inhabitants; tourists, especially those who enjoy bird watching, may see the unusual species of the area. Don't miss the 16th century church and the unusual market offering tantalizing tropical novelties. Tamazunchale is generally considered the capital of the somewhat isolated Huasteca Indians, who live for the most part in the nearby mountains.
Just south of Tamazunchale, the road begins to rise from the tropical valley to the top of the Sierra Madre, climbing about 5,000 feet in 60 winding miles. Fog can be dense during the earlier morning hours and again in the later evening hours, so it is advisable to make the ascent during daylight.
One of the most scenic sections of Highway 85 is between Ciudad Valles and Tamazunchale. Exotic tropical vegetation grows luxuriantly along the highway. The quaint old town of Tamazunchale lies at the foot of the Sierra Madre Oriental on the south side of the Montezuma River. Butterflies and birds are the town's most popular inhabitants; tourists, especially those who enjoy bird watching, may see the unusual species of the area. Don't miss the 16th century church and the unusual market offering tantalizing tropical novelties. Tamazunchale is generally considered the capital of the somewhat isolated Huasteca Indians, who live for the most part in the nearby mountains.
Just south of Tamazunchale, the road begins to rise from the tropical valley to the top of the Sierra Madre, climbing about 5,000 feet in 60 winding miles. Fog can be dense during the earlier morning hours and again in the later evening hours, so it is advisable to make the ascent during daylight.
