Nature reserve 11 km east of Calvillo
The protected oak-forest range around Calvillo, named for its wild laurel, with rainy-season waterfalls like El Garruño and trails.
The Sierra del Laurel is the range of mountains that wraps around the south and east of the Calvillo valley, part of a chain that runs from Zacatecas and Jalisco into southwestern Aguascalientes. It is protected by the state as an Área Silvestre Estatal, and it takes its name from the wild laurel, Litsea glaucescens, an aromatic shrub that grows here and is listed as endangered in Mexico.
Most of the sierra is covered in oak woodland with an occasional pine, cut by deep canyons and topped by rocky peaks well above 2,500 meters. In the rainy season the canyons fill with seasonal waterfalls; the best known south of Calvillo is El Garruño, reached by a hike down through the stream bed, and Los Alisos is another favorite with local hikers.
There is no single entrance or visitor center: people explore it on foot, by mountain bike or with local guides who lead hikes, climbing and rappelling. The rock paintings of El Ocote lie in its eastern canyons, and Presa de Malpaso sits at its foot.
What to see and do
Hike to the El Garruño waterfall in the rainy season, ideally with a local guide.
Look for the wild laurel that gives the sierra its name.
Mountain bike the dirt roads and single tracks through the oak forest.
Try climbing or rappelling in the canyons with a certified guide.
Combine it with the rock paintings of El Ocote or a meal at Presa de Malpaso.
Getting there
The sierra starts right outside Calvillo: the communities south of town are the usual starting points for El Garruño, about 25 km and an hour by car on rough local roads, and the Highway 70 corridor toward Aguascalientes gives access to the eastern canyons. There is no public transport to the trailheads and trails are not always marked, so go with a local guide (ask at Calvillo's tourism office). Avoid the canyons during storms.
11 km east of Calvillo
Directions from Calvillo on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Sierra del Laurel
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Tours & activities
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Weather mild
Sierra del Laurel shares the climate of Calvillo, 11 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Nov, Dec.
Make Calvillo your base
Sierra del Laurel is an easy trip from Calvillo, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Calvillo
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Presa de Malpaso
· Lake · 7 km away
Calvillo's big reservoir under the Sierra del Laurel: boat and kayak trips into La Boquilla, bass fishing and lakeside fish restaurants. -
Cascada Los Huenchos
· Waterfall · 8 km away
A rainy-season waterfall in a canyon northwest of Calvillo, reached by a 3 km walk from paid parking at La Mezquitera. -
Parque Acuático La Cueva
· Hot springs · 11 km away
A family water park with thermal-water pools, slides, temazcal and camping, about 20 minutes west of Calvillo; usually open weekends. -
Presa La Codorniz
· Lake · 18 km away
A quieter reservoir north of Calvillo where local families come to camp and grill on the shore. -
El Ocote
· Archaeological site · 22 km away
Aguascalientes' best-known rock paintings, on cliff walls in the rugged canyons of the Sierra del Laurel, with a small dam and campsites.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.