Mountain 3 km southwest of Real de Catorce
The sacred Wixárika peak where the sun was born, a walk or horseback ride above Real de Catorce with huge views over the desert.
The Cerro del Quemado rises just southwest of Real de Catorce, one of the high points of the Sierra de Catorce. For the Wixárika (Huichol) people it is one of the most sacred places in their world: they call it Reunax, and in their tradition it is where the sun first rose. A deer lifted the sun into the sky on its antlers, giving light to the world.
It is the final goal of the Wixárika pilgrimage to Wirikuta. Between roughly October and March, groups led by their maraka'ames (shamans) travel some 400 kilometers from their communities in Jalisco and Nayarit to leave offerings here. On the summit there is a ring of stones used for ceremonies, and you may find candles, arrows, small yarn paintings and other offerings left by pilgrims.
For visitors the climb is a short hike or horseback ride from town, rewarded with a wide view over the sierra and the desert plains of Wirikuta far below. Treat the summit as a place of worship: do not touch or take the offerings, and keep quiet if a ceremony is under way.
What to see and do
Hike up from town in the early morning or late afternoon for the softest light over the desert.
Ride up on horseback with one of the local guides who wait in town.
See the ceremonial stone circle at the summit, without touching the offerings.
Look west over the plains of Wirikuta and the railway towns far below.
Getting there
The hill is about 3 kilometers from the center of Real de Catorce. Most people walk up on a dirt path from the upper end of town, which takes roughly an hour at this altitude, or hire a horse and guide in town. Bring water, a hat and a warm layer: you are well above 2,500 meters and the wind on top can be cold.
3 km southwest of Real de Catorce
Directions from Real de Catorce on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Cerro del Quemado
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Weather cool
Cerro del Quemado shares the climate of Real de Catorce, 3 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Make Real de Catorce your base
Cerro del Quemado is an easy trip from Real de Catorce, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Real de Catorce
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Wirikuta
· Nature reserve · 4 km away
The sacred desert of the Wixárika people, a protected area of high plains and cactus around Real de Catorce, best seen on a Willys jeep tour. -
Estación Catorce
· Town · 10 km away
The old railway town at the foot of the sierra, where Willys jeeps from Real de Catorce end their dramatic descent to the desert. -
Estación Wadley
· Town · 13 km away
A quiet desert village on the railway, a base for stays and walks in the plains of Wirikuta.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.