Landmark 7 km southeast of Mapimí
A 315-meter suspension bridge swaying about 95 m over a gorge, leading to the ghost mining town of Ojuela and its old mine.
The Ojuela bridge is the reason most travelers find Mapimí. High in the dry hills above town, a narrow wooden deck hangs from steel cables across a deep gorge: about 315 meters long, less than two meters wide, and roughly 95 meters above the bottom. It was built in the 1890s to carry ore and people between the mines and the town of Ojuela, and it moves gently underfoot as you cross.
Ojuela itself was a booming mining settlement for centuries, working rich veins of silver, gold, lead and zinc in the Santa Rita and Ojuela mines. When the mining ended, people left, and today the stone walls of houses, stores and the old works stand roofless along the ridge. The area is part of UNESCO's Camino Real de Tierra Adentro listing.
Local guides lead visits through the old Santa Rita mine, a walk of several hundred meters into the hill with a small museum of minerals inside. For a faster way back, a zip line runs alongside the bridge across the gorge.
What to see and do
Walk across the suspension bridge and back, taking in the drop below.
Explore the roofless stone ruins of the Ojuela ghost town.
Take a guided tour into the old Santa Rita mine and its mineral display.
Ride the zip line across the gorge alongside the bridge.
Stay for late-afternoon light over the desert hills.
Getting there
Ojuela is about 7 kilometers above Mapimí. The road starts paved, then turns to dirt and finally to a narrow cobbled stretch with room for only one vehicle, so drive slowly and yield on the bends. There is an entry fee for the bridge area, and the mine tour and zip line are paid separately. Bring water, a hat and good shoes; there is little shade.
7 km southeast of Mapimí
Directions from Mapimí on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Puente de Ojuela
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Weather mild
Puente de Ojuela shares the climate of Mapimí, 7 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Apr, Dec.
Make Mapimí your base
Puente de Ojuela is an easy trip from Mapimí, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Mapimí
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Grutas del Rosario
· Cave · 19 km away
Show caves in the desert south of Mapimí with a guided 500-meter route through four levels of stalactites and odd formations. -
Zona del Silencio
· Nature reserve · 95 km away
The legendary desert of the Mapimí Biosphere Reserve, famed for UFO tales and a 1970 US rocket crash; visit with a local guide.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.