Exploring the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental we discover one of its most rugged and rugged regions: the fantastic Sierra Gorda de Querétaro, recently declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.
This protected area, characterized by its impressive canyons, rugged mountains, beautiful waterfalls and deep chasms, occupies an area of 24,803 hectares. Exploring the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental we discover one of its most rugged and rugged regions: the fantastic Sierra Gorda de Querétaro, recently declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. This protected area, characterized by its impressive canyons, rugged mountains, beautiful waterfalls and deep chasms, occupies an area of 24,803 hectares.
Following the Ruta de las Misiones and in the footsteps of Fray Junípero Serra, lovers of adventure, exploration and outdoor activities have the opportunity to explore on foot or by mountain bike some of the best preserved wooded areas of Mexico , as well as the last redoubts of mesophilic forests and medium jungles in the northwest region, where 360 species of birds, 130 of mammals, 71 of reptiles and 23 of amphibians have been identified.
It is estimated that about 30 percent of the butterfly species in the country live in the region, with the Humboldt butterfly standing out, among other species about to disappear, such as the jaguar, the black bear and the macaw.
In terms of flora, the area has almost 1,710 species of vascular plants, 11 of which are endemic, although some varieties are also in danger of extinction, such as the giant parsnip, the chapote, the avocado, the magnolia and the guayame.
For daring spelunkers and expeditioners, the Sierra Gorda offers one of its great treasures: its abysses, which invite you to make a rappel trip to the center of the earth. The Sótano del Barro stands out, with a vertical draft of 410 m and a total depth of 455 m, one of the deepest in the world, and the Sotanito de Ahuacatlán, with a free fall of 288 m and a depth of 320 m.
Going from the freshness of the Sierra Gorda to the hot semi-desert, the spirit of adventure will lead you to discover the fantastic Peña de Bernal. This monolith, considered the third largest in the world, has a height that reaches 2,053 meters above sea level. This place is one of the most attractive in Querétaro for rock climbing.
To venture into every corner of the state is to discover an ancient Queretaro a few steps from the modern one. The territory represents a great adventure for those who like camping or cycling, for the walker a fun entertainment, and for the Queretaro a challenge to preserve that cultural, architectural and landscape richness.
Source: Unknown Mexico Guide No. 69 Querétaro / May 2001
Photographer specialized in adventure sports. He has worked for MD for over 10 years!
