Hidalgo
Activities
The state of Hidalgo offers historical locations and natural paradises, like the El Chico National Park. There are plenty of places to enjoy extreme sports, from rappelling to a fantastic hot air balloon ride, that promise to leave tourists out of breath.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Leaving from the Hacienda de Apulco, near the municipality of Agua Blanca, is an amazing traditional hot air balloon ride. Visitors can spend the night in this hacienda, that dates back to the 16th century and holds over 450 years of history. The balloon ride adventure beings at dawn.
From 800 meters in the air, Hidalgo is even more beautiful. There, in the sky, one can truly appreciate the amazing landscape of Hidalgo, its great plains, fields of maguey and the beautiful mountain range.
Suspended over nothing but air, the basket gently weaves as if it were in the sea. Up, among the clouds there is nothing but freedom and the wonderment of nature’s majesty.
The trip can also be made over the magical town of Huasca de Ocampo, a truly colorful place, with surprising places like the Valle de la Peña del Aire and the Prismas Basalticos.
Hiking
El Chico National Park, located in the municipality of Mineral el Chico, is a green prairie with fir, evergreen/oak, pine and juniper forests. Between the mountains are small valleys from which arise impressive and whimsical rocky formations with names like: El Fistol (The Tie Pin), La Muela (The Tooth), La Botella (The Bottle), and Las Goteras (The Drips). There are also imposing rocks like: Peña del Cuervo (Crow Rock), Peñas Coloradas (Red Rocks), Las Ventanas (The Windows) and Las Monjas (monjas are round sweet breads) to mention a few. There are three great hiking routes here.
On a two hour hike, you can explore La Muela and admire the natural landscape. This hike is perfect for people who have little experience with hiking or outdoor activities.
On a three hour hike, explore Las Brujas (The Witches) and Paraíso (Paradise). On this hike you will see rocky formations over 100 meters high and an impressive canyon with vegetation common to this area.
On a hike of five to eight hours, you can visit the Circo del Crestón (The Circus of Outcroppings/Crests), a wonderful set of unique rocky formations over 100 meters high. Along the way, you will encounter other points of interest like the view of Panales (Honeycombs), the crossing of the Cañon de Paraíso Escondido (Escondido Paradise Canyon) and Las Brujas (The Witches).
Rappelling
El Chico National Park is also perfect for scaling, rappelling and rock climbing. Enthusiasts will delight in this setting among the waterfalls, streams, wildlife, and the walls of rocky formations.
A full day can be spent at Paraíso Escondido. You can rappel this canyon and cross the stream at the bottom to enjoy a swim in one of its pools. Later take a longer rappelling trek at the side of a waterfall to reach the exit between the narrow walls. The approach and exit can be made on foot. Along the way, one can enjoy the Las Brujas rocky formations.
Prior to your rappelling adventure, be sure to exercise caution, have the proper training and bring the right equipment to safely enjoy this activity.
The Xoxafi Grottos Tour
In the Mezquital Valley, where xerophilous vegetation (vegetation adapted to a dry, hot environment) thrives, you will find the community of El Palmar. Entering at the top of Tephá Hill, you will come to the Xoxafi Grottos. At the entrance is a hall adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. Further ahead are natural caverns and interesting cave paintings in an almost unaltered state. These are particularly interesting to fans of recreational spelunking.
The caretakers of this place have formed groups of guides who accompany the visitors to go into the tunnels. Before embarking on this unforgettable experience, visitors receive precise instructions regarding security and rules for the trip down. Protective gear and lighting equipment is provided. For safety reasons, visitors may only go into the tunnels with the proper equipment and the assistance of a trained guide.
This beautiful spot is also great for camping, mountain climbing and rappelling.
The Te-Pathé Water Park Tour
There are many water parks and hot springs in the state of Hidalgo for children and adults to enjoy. There is a beautiful hot spring that is over five thousand meters: Te-Pathé. Among its facilities they have: ponds, a trampoline, slides, a kiddie pool, and a wave pond. They also offer a restaurant, kid’s games, and a large grassy area. The water is 36° C (96.8°F).
The Hot Springs is found in the municipality of Ixmiquilpan, in the heart of Mezquital Valley, one of the zones that is most representative of the otomí region.