Nature reserve 2 km east of Mineral del Chico
Fir forest and giant rock crags around Mineral del Chico, protected since 1898; hiking, climbing, dams and viewpoints.
El Chico National Park covers about 2,700 hectares of mountain forest wrapped around Mineral del Chico, in the Sierra de Pachuca. It is one of the oldest protected areas in Latin America: in 1898 Porfirio Díaz set it aside as the "Monte Vedado del Mineral del Chico" to save the woods from the mines, which were burning through timber, and it became a national park in 1982. Today it is part of the UNESCO Comarca Minera Geopark.
The park is known for its rock formations. Huge crags of volcanic rock rise above the fir, oak and cedar forest, among them Las Ventanas, La Muela, Los Enamorados and La Fortaleza, and they have made El Chico one of central Mexico's classic climbing areas. Between them are small dams and meadows, such as El Cedral, Llano Grande and the Jaramillo dam on the edge of the park.
Most visitors come for a day in the forest: walking the trails, climbing the stone steps to a viewpoint, renting a boat or a horse at one of the ejido-run recreation areas, or eating at one of the food stands. It gets cold and foggy at this altitude, so bring warm clothes even in summer.
What to see and do
Climb the stone steps to the Peña del Cuervo viewpoint for a view over the park and the town.
Hike to Las Ventanas, the park's highest crags, or climb them with a guide.
Rent a boat or go fishing at the El Cedral dam.
Camp or rent a cabin at one of the campgrounds in the forest.
Getting there
Mineral del Chico sits inside the park, so the forest starts at the edge of town. The road from Pachuca to Mineral del Chico crosses the park, with turnoffs to the viewpoints, dams and campgrounds, all within about 15 minutes by car. Some ejido-run areas charge a small entry or parking fee; there is little public transport inside the park.
2 km east of Mineral del Chico
Directions from Mineral del Chico on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Parque Nacional El Chico
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Tours & activities
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Weather cool
Parque Nacional El Chico shares the climate of Mineral del Chico, 2 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Make Mineral del Chico your base
Parque Nacional El Chico is an easy trip from Mineral del Chico, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
Also close to
- Real del Monte · 10 km away
More around Mineral del Chico
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Las Ventanas
· Mountain · 2 km away
El Chico's highest crags, about 3,090 meters up: a rock-climbing classic with an easy trail to a windy lookout. -
Presa El Cedral
· Lake · 2 km away
A forest reservoir run by the local ejido, with rowboats, trout fishing, cabins, horses and zip lines. -
Mirador Peña del Cuervo
· Viewpoint · 3 km away
A stone stairway up a crag in the middle of El Chico park, with the best view over the forest and the town. -
Presa El Jaramillo
· Lake · 4 km away
A small dam on the park's southern edge near San Miguel Cerezo, a quiet spot for a walk and a picnic. -
Actopan
· Town · 22 km away
Home of a fortress-like 16th-century Augustinian convent famous for its murals, including scenes of hell in the open chapel.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.