ATVs
With miles upon miles of dirt roads and mountainous terrain, Guanajuato is prime real estate for ATV adventure tours. Travelers to Guanajuato City can book a variety of ATV tours that will take riders through the streets and alleys of Guanajuato before climbing up to the mountains to discover its historic mining towns and spectacular scenery. Blaze through the colorful alleyways and mysterious tunnels of Guanajuato city before climbing up to the viewpoint of the Rayas mine. Along the way, the panoramic road has gorgeous viewpoints over some of the top attractions in Guanajuato.
Hike the Hills
Guanajuato’s trails are for more than just four wheels. Travelers who prefer to get out in nature on foot will find a network of hiking trails within easy reach of Guanajuato city.
One of the most popular hikes is the Cerro de la Bufa, a five-mile out-and-back trail through some of Guanajuato’s most impressive countryside. Cerro de la Bufa is a majestic rock formation located south of the Centro Historico. You can walk from the Centro Historico to the trailhead, which takes about half an hour, or you can ride the Guanajuato Funicular up the hill to save some energy. You can also take a taxi to the trailhead.
The path to the top is well-marked and is mostly flat, save for an intense rock scramble at the end. What hikers are rewarded with, however, are spectacular views for miles in every direction out over Guanajuato.
Sail the Skies
For travelers visiting San Miguel de Allende, hot-air ballooning is one of the most popular adventure activities. These scenic sky sails offer panoramic views over one of Mexico’s most beloved colonial cities, San Miguel de Allende. Tip: The sunrise departures have the most magical views as you watch the sky erupt with orange, yellow, and pink.
Horseback Riding
Guanajuato is famous for its equestrian culture, as well, and visitors can experience this rich part of the state’s history firsthand with an equestrian tour. A guide will take visitors on horseback through working mines and along historic routes that are used to transport minerals and precious metals between cities. Weave through streets and alleys of historic mining towns and marvel at the gorgeous countryside in between.
Visitors can make their horseback riding experience a two-day adventure with tours that work in camping excursions. These tours mix in a little bit of cattle herding and learning about agricultural life in Guanajuato. Feast on authentic meals cooked by campfire and spend the night in a comfortable tent out underneath the stars.
Rappelling
While most visitors descend from Cerro de la Bufa on foot, those who are seeking extra adventure can try their skills at repelling down the rock face. Accompanied by experts and the highest level of safety equipment, visitors can descend the 90-degree natural rock walls with the backdrop of Guanajuato surrounding them.
Rock climbers with advanced experience and skill will find dozens of cliffs and crags that range in difficulty. All around the state are indoor climbing gyms, as well.
Cycling
In addition to hiking trails and ATV trails, Guanajuato is outfitted with world-class cycling trails both in the city and in the wild. One route begins from the top of Sierra de Santa Rosa de Lima and travels 15 miles down to the city center, passing through Monte de San Nicolas, the Presa de Mata lake and dam, the alleys and tunnels of the city center, and the panoramic road that surrounds the city and its rolling hills.
For mountain biking, Guanajuato has some of the best trails in the country. Riders can choose between long and double-track rides in the countryside, challenging single-track, enduro racing, or even urban downhill tracks.
Archaeological Sites
One of Guanajuato’s most impressive sites is the Cañada de la Virgen archaeological zone, located near San Miguel de Allende. This pre-Hispanic settlement dates back from 600 to 900 A.D. and was an important urban site used for making observations of the sky. Visitors can make this an adventure experience by skipping the bus tour and hiking to the complex with a professional guide.
