Town 9 km southwest of Talpa de Allende
An old mining village southwest of Talpa with a waterfall and swimming hole reached by a walk up a forested stream.
Aranjuez is a small village in the hills southwest of Talpa with deep roots in the area's mining past. Talpa's own history is tied to it: the first Spanish families settled in the area around 1599 because of the rich ore deposits at Aranjuez, which were worked on and off for centuries, most recently by a mining company in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Today the village is quiet, and the reason most visitors come is a waterfall nearby. To reach it you walk through thick vegetation following a stream until it opens onto a fall and a pool, a good place for a swim or a long picnic on the banks.
The trail is not marked, so a local guide is recommended; ask in Talpa or in the village. As with other waterfalls in the sierra, it carries most water in the rainy season and in the weeks after it, and you should avoid swimming when the stream is swollen after storms.
What to see and do
Walk up the stream through dense vegetation to the waterfall.
Swim in the pool and picnic on the banks.
Stroll through the old mining village of Aranjuez.
Go with a local guide, since the trail is not marked.
Getting there
Aranjuez is about 10 km southwest of Talpa, roughly 25 minutes by car on a local road; the waterfall is a walk from the village. There is no regular public transport, so go by car or arrange transport and a guide in Talpa.
9 km southwest of Talpa de Allende
Directions from Talpa de Allende on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Aranjuez shares the climate of Talpa de Allende, 9 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Nov, Dec.
Make Talpa de Allende your base
Aranjuez is an easy trip from Talpa de Allende, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Talpa de Allende
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Ermita de San Rafael
· Landmark · 7 km away
A concrete ring sanctuary on the Ruta del Peregrino, the last of its architectural landmarks before Talpa, by Dellekamp and Periférica. -
Presa Corrinchis
· Lake · 10 km away
A long reservoir in the hills between Talpa and Mascota, with kayaks, boat rides, fishing and lakeside grills. -
Bosque de Arce
· Nature reserve · 20 km away
A state park protecting a cloud forest of rare Mexican maples south of Talpa; the leaves turn red and gold in autumn. -
Mirador del Espinazo del Diablo
· Viewpoint · 26 km away
The highest lookout on the Ruta del Peregrino: a folded concrete shelter by Alejandro Aravena's Elemental on the Devil's Spine ridge.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.