Cave 5 km southwest of Jalpan
A cave of rocky chambers and cold pools near Huajales, 15 minutes from Jalpan, with a 'bell' rock that rings when you tap it.
The Cueva de los Riscos is a limestone cave in the hills just west of Jalpan, close to the small community of Huajales. It is one of the easiest caves in the Sierra Gorda to reach from town, and a good half-day outing if you want a taste of the area's karst landscape without a long drive.
The approach is part of the appeal. The path climbs through dry hillsides of organ cactus and barrel cactus and then into woodland, with a few lookouts over the Jalpan valley on the way. At the entrance you scramble down over rocks onto a sandy floor, and from there the cave opens into several chambers named for their jagged rock formations, or riscos.
Inside you climb over a mound of rock that looks like a small crag, pass pools of very cold water and find formations that locals have named, among them a pulpit and a bell, a rock that rings when it is struck. There are no walkways or lights, so it feels like real caving on a small scale.
What to see and do
Hike the trail through cactus and woodland, stopping at the lookouts over the Jalpan valley.
Climb down into the main chamber and explore the side rooms with a flashlight.
Find the pulpit and tap the 'bell' rock to hear it ring.
Cool off next to the cave's cold pools.
Getting there
The cave is about 10 km from Jalpan, roughly 15 minutes by car, and about 3 km beyond the community of Huajales, where the trail begins. Bring a flashlight and shoes with grip, and go outside the rainy season; hiring a local guide in Jalpan is the easiest way to find the path.
5 km southwest of Jalpan
Directions from Jalpan on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Cueva de los Riscos shares the climate of Jalpan, 5 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Jalpan your base
Cueva de los Riscos is an easy trip from Jalpan, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Jalpan
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Presa Jalpan
· Lake · 2 km away
The reservoir just south of town, a calm spot for a walk by the water at the start or end of the day. -
Zona Arqueológica de Tancama
· Archaeological site · 10 km away
Huastec hilltop ruins with round platforms and a tiny ball court, 20 minutes from Jalpan; closed by INAH since Oct 2025. -
Cascada El Chuveje
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A 30-meter waterfall in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, reached by a short river trail off Highway 120. -
Puente de Dios
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A guided river hike through a narrow canyon to a dripping cave and turquoise pools, about 30 minutes from Jalpan. -
Misión de Landa
· Landmark · 16 km away
The last and most ornate of the five UNESCO-listed Sierra Gorda missions, 20 minutes east of Jalpan. -
Las Adjuntas
· Nature reserve · 23 km away
Where the cold, clear Ayutla River meets the warm, green Santa María at the Ayutla bridge, with river pools and acamaya dishes. -
Sótano del Barro
· Cave · 23 km away
A 450-meter-deep pit full of wild military macaws, reached by dirt road off Highway 69 and a 2–3 hour uphill hike. -
Misión de Tancoyol
· Landmark · 25 km away
A UNESCO-listed mission with the most complex facade of the five, about an hour from Jalpan on a curvy mountain road. -
Concá
· Town · 30 km away
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Misión de Tilaco
· Landmark · 30 km away
The smallest facade of the five missions, packed with mermaids and angel musicians, in a remote green valley.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.