Pena de Bernal
A Rock Monolith Of About 350 M Above The Small Pueblo Magico Of Bernal, Said To Be The Third Largest In The World, With A Path And Climbing Routes (The Summit Climb Needs A Permit And Is For Experienced Climbers). A Weekend Trip For People From Queretaro And Mexico City, With Cheese, Wine And Sweets In The Town · Bernal, Querétaro
Pena de Bernal is a rock monolith about 350 m high that stands over the small Pueblo Magico of Bernal in Queretaro state, about 60 km north-east of Queretaro city. It is often described as one of the largest monoliths in the world, and it looks it, a huge bare dome of grey rock above red roofs and cobbled streets. Most visitors walk a short, steady path from the town to its base, where a cross called the Cristo marks a viewpoint. The summit climb is a technical route for experienced climbers, and it needs a permit and likely a guide, so confirm the rules before you plan it. Around the rock the town has a plaza with sweets and tacos, and cheese and wine producers lie on the road nearby. It is a weekend trip for people from Queretaro and Mexico City, so Saturdays and Sundays are crowded, and the March equinox draws gatherings. It suits families, walkers and food lovers, and is worth a half-day. It is not worth a long drive if you only want a summit hike.
Pena de Bernal, the monolith above the Pueblo Magico of Bernal, about 60 km north-east of Queretaro city; coordinates approximate, Bernal, Querétaro, Mexico
The town of Bernal, its plaza and its streets are open at all hours, and walking there is FREE. The path to the base of the monolith is usually open in daylight, and local rules and entry points may change, so confirm before you go. The summit route is CLOSED to casual visitors, and climbers need a permit and usually a guide, arranged in advance. Shops, cheese tasting rooms and wine houses keep their own hours, often from late morning to early evening, and some are CLOSED on Mondays or Tuesdays. The route may be CLOSED in heavy rain, strong wind or for rock safety. Weekends are the busiest.