Viewpoint 9 km north of Huasca de Ocampo
A cliff-edge lookout over the head of the Metztitlán canyon, with zip lines and an extreme swing over the drop.
Peña del Aire is a rock outcrop on the rim of a deep canyon north of Huasca, on the lands of the San Sebastián ejido, where the plateau suddenly drops away into the head of the Barranca de Metztitlán. From the edge you look down hundreds of meters to the river and out over folded ridges and valleys, a view that is especially good early in the morning, when clouds often fill the canyon below.
The cliffs are made of basalt laid down a few million years ago, and the area is one of the geosites of the UNESCO Comarca Minera Geopark, part of the Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve. Because it is far from city lights, it is also a good place to see stars.
The ejido runs it as an adventure park with an entry fee, parking and restrooms. Besides the lookouts, there are zip lines, a "tirobici" (a bike that rides a cable), rappelling and an extreme swing that launches you out over the edge. Even if you skip the rides, the walk along the rim is worth the trip.
What to see and do
Watch the clouds fill the canyon from the lookouts in the early morning.
Try the extreme swing or the tirobici over the drop.
Fly over the canyon on the zip lines, or go rappelling.
Stay after dark for a sky full of stars.
Getting there
Peña del Aire is roughly 9 to 12 kilometers north of Huasca, about 25 minutes by car: follow the signs from town toward San Sebastián, and expect the last stretch to be a dirt road. There is no regular public transport, so go by car, taxi, or with one of the ATV or bike tours offered in Huasca.
9 km north of Huasca de Ocampo
Directions from Huasca de Ocampo on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather cool
Peña del Aire shares the climate of Huasca de Ocampo, 9 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Huasca de Ocampo your base
Peña del Aire is an easy trip from Huasca de Ocampo, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Huasca de Ocampo
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Hacienda de San Miguel Regla
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Presa San Antonio
· Lake · 4 km away
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Hacienda de Santa María Regla
· Landmark · 5 km away
The Count of Regla's 1760s silver-refining hacienda beside the basalt prisms, now a hotel with its old patios and chapel. -
Prismas Basálticos
· Nature reserve · 5 km away
A canyon lined with giant basalt columns and waterfalls, sketched by Humboldt in 1803; Huasca's must-see side trip. -
Atotonilco el Grande
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Market town with one of Hidalgo's earliest Augustinian convents, from the 1500s, with murals of pagan philosophers on the stairway. -
Balneario Amajac
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.