Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve Voyage Tips and guide

Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is a protected natural wilderness in the rugged mountains of the Sierra Gorda mountain range in eastern Queretaro. It is an area of steep mountains, deep canyons, sheer cliffs, karst cave systems, and mixed forests of conifers, oaks, and other vegetation. The Biosphere occupies about 250 square kilometers and is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The Sierra Gorda is one of Mexico's least developed regions and was historically a thorn in the sides of Spanish explorers and settlers throughout the colonial era when rugged terrain and ferocious resistance by indigenous cultures kept the forests safer from the saws of industrial and commercial expansion. Most of the indigenous people were Chichimeca and Pame, with some Huastec communities and some Otomi in the southeast.

Colonial military expeditions did not successfully subdue indigenous populations, who were comfortably capable in the mountains and forests. Augustinian missionaries established early missions in the late 16th century and throughout the 17th century, almost all of which were destroyed not too long after being built.

Even after the military established firm control over the region, large-scale economic development passed by the region.

The biosphere was established by local community activists in 1997. It became a part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2003. The biosphere reserved covers an area of 400,000 hectares.

The entire biosphere reserve is a rugged mountain area where elevations range from 300 meters in some of the river canyons to 3100 meters at the top of Cerro de la Pingüica. Numerous rivers and streams flow through the area with the three major rivers being the Rio Santa María, Rio Peñamiller, and Rio Moctezuma (as well as numerous small rivers and stream), all of which flow to the Rio Panuco. Several scenic waterfalls in the area are reachable only by hiking trails through the jungles and forests.

The reserve includes several types of ecosystems including rainforests, dry deserts, coniferous forests and lowland tropical rainforests. This variety of terrain provides habitat for 2,300 species of plants, 360 species of birds, 130 mammal species, 71 reptiles and 23 kinds of amphibians. Noteworthy animals that live in the reserve include black bears, six feline species (including jaguars and mountain lions), and spider monkeys

More than 2,300 plant species are found in the reserve. Old-growth forests are home to bromeliads and orchids, the northwestern parts of the reserve have cactus and succulent plants. In the fall and spring, clouds of monarch butterflies pass through the park as they fly between their nesting grounds in the forests of Michoacan and their summer homes in Canada and the northern United States.

Jalpan is in the heart of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve and is accessible by bus. Good roads pass through the reserve, so a car is a reasonable way to get in and get around.

From Queretaro, it's a direct 4-hour bus trip to Jalpan. Flecha Amarilla buses run hourly to Jalpan and cost M$300 (January 2023).

Jalpan is an easy drive from Queretaro. Simply leave Queretaro on highway MEX 120 and continue for 3-1/2 hours until you get to Jalpan.

Dozens of springs become the source for streams and rivers that flow from the Sierra Gorda mountains. Waterfalls and pools are often accessed via hiking trails, though some are close to roads. The Cascadas Chuveje (Chuveje Waterfall) is a beautiful series of waterfalls and pools that you reach via a cool, shaded trail through the woods where you will see numerous wildflowers and probably a few of the local animals. Sites within the reserve are best visited with a local guide.

• Puente de Diosː - explore the cave system in Angostura Canyon (and check out the Sótano del Barro)
• Tancama Archaeological Siteː - the site includes 42 structures and 3 platforms. It is estimated to have been occupied between 500 - 900 AD.
• Mirador Cuatro Palosː - scenic overlook with spectacular sunrise vistas as the sun slowly makes its way over a blanket of low-lying clouds

Hotels are available in the towns of Jalpan, Landa, and Pinal de Amoles.

Several camping areas are available in and near the town of Pinal de Amoles. Some of them also rent rustic mountain cabins.

• Jalpan
• Pinal de Amoles
• Xilitla
• Ruta Misiones de la Sierra Gorda