Pinal de Amoles

Pinal de Amoles is a small colonial era town deep in the forested mountains of the Sierra Gorda range in eastern Queretaro. Naturalists will enjoy the dense forests, especially the spectacular range of wildlife inhabiting the nearby Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. History buffs will want to explore the nearby five Franciscan missions of the Sierra Gorda that make up a. The town is designated as one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos.

Understand
The Sierra Gorda mountains were part of the historic range of the Huastec people and Pinal de Amoles is sometimes condidered the westernmost edge of the region Mexicans call La Huasteca. You may sometimes hear the Sierra Gorda referred to as La Huasteca Queretana (to differentiate it from parts of La Huasteca that lie in neighboring states). Although indigenous people live in Queretaro, it is unlikely you will meet any who identify as Huastec since they concentrate in Huasteca Potosina (and in one or two villages in northern Veracruz).

By bus
Flecha Amarilla operates buses that pass through Pinal de Amoles en route to Jalpan or Queretaro. The bueses will stop to drop you off or pick you up in the downtown area. From Queretaro (main terminal) the bus takes 3 hours, 45 minutes to reach Pinal de Amoles and costs M$150. There is also one bus daily provided by Coordinados.



By car
From Queretaro, it is a 145-km trip to Pinal de Amoles. Most of the ride is on a modern toll highway (QRO-100) that will take about 2 hours 20 minutes.

The main highway passing through Pinal de Amoles is federal highway MEX-120.

Get around
The town is very small but a bit of a maze to navigate, with windy roads wrapping themselves around hills. It's cobblestone streets are enjoyable to walk and explore. A car or taxi will be needed to explore natural attractions or the region's historic churches. Taxis can usually be found at a sitio next to the Plaza Principal (Zocalo).

See










Do
Pinal de Amoles is a playground for the active outdoorsman with ample opportunities for hiking, climbing, canyoning, mountain biking, camping, and birdwatching.


 * Puente de Dios is a scenic hiking area along the Rio Escanela, about midway between Pinal de Amoles and Jalpan. 75 pesos to park and 175 pesos for a guide. The nature is beautiful, but guides hurry visitors along because of capacity controls and the popularity of the site creating too many visitors. Expect to get wet and wear non-slip shoes that can get soaked.
 * Cascada El Chuveje is a popular hiking area through dense forests along the Rio Escanela. The highlight of the hike is a towering, single-drop waterfall with an idyllic calm pool beckoning visitors to dive in for a swim.
 * Campamento Las Trancas is just outside town. It has camping facilities, including some cabins for rent, and has a 100-meter long zip-line that crosses a narrow gorge
 * Cuatro Palos is an eco-tourist camping area that promotes low-impact recreational land use. Their campground includes dry composting toilets and solar panels.

Festivals

 * March - Concurso Nacional de Bailes de Huapango - national championship to recognize dancers who practice the traditional huapango dance, which is associated with the Huastec culture.

Eat








Sleep
A number of camping areas and cabin rentals are available, particularly on the west side of town.







Go next

 * Jalpan
 * Bernal
 * Aquismón
 * Xilitla