Nature reserve 12 km east of Arteaga
A wooded canyon east of Arteaga for guided canyoneering: rappels of up to 30 meters, clear pools, jumps, and small waterfalls.
The Cañón de la Carbonera is a narrow, wooded canyon cut by the Arroyo La Carbonera in the mountains east of Arteaga. It is one of the lesser-known adventure spots in Coahuila, and a cool escape from the summer heat of the Saltillo valley, only about 20 to 30 minutes from the city.
The canyon is done as a canyoneering descent. Along the way you rappel down rock walls of up to about 30 meters, jump into clear pools, slide down natural chutes, and pass small waterfalls under oaks and pines. It is considered an intermediate to advanced route, with technical sections that are not suited to complete beginners.
This is not a place to explore alone. Adventure companies in Saltillo run organized trips with certified guides, helmets, harnesses, ropes, and wetsuits, and some access stretches need a 4x4. Rain can make the canyon dangerous very quickly, so trips depend on the weather.
What to see and do
Rappel down rock walls of up to about 30 meters.
Jump into the canyon's clear pools and ride the natural water slides.
Walk past small waterfalls under oak and pine forest.
Cool off on a hot summer day just outside Saltillo.
Getting there
The canyon lies roughly 12 kilometers east of Arteaga, off the road into the sierra; tours usually include transport from Saltillo or Arteaga, and part of the access may need a 4x4. Go only with a certified guide and full gear, check the forecast, and skip it if rain is expected.
12 km east of Arteaga
Directions from Arteaga on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Cañón de la Carbonera
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Tours & activities
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Weather mild
Cañón de la Carbonera shares the climate of Arteaga, 12 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec.
Make Arteaga your base
Cañón de la Carbonera is an easy trip from Arteaga, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Arteaga
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Los Lirios
· Town · 27 km away
A quiet mountain village east of Arteaga, near a canyon, with cabins and trails up some of the sierra's high peaks. -
San Antonio de las Alazanas
· Town · 33 km away
A pine-ringed apple town high in the Sierra de Arteaga, known for its fruit liqueurs, a mummy museum, and a September apple fair. -
Bosques de Monterreal
· Mountain · 48 km away
A mountain resort in the high Sierra de Arteaga with Mexico's year-round artificial ski slope, cabins, and pine-forest trails.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.