la estanzuela

La Estanzuela is the natural park on Monterrey's south side, entered from the Carretera Nacional area, and one of the gateways to Cumbres de Monterrey National Park. A green canyon with a stream, pools and a waterfall as the prize at the end of the main trail: the classic plan for someone's first Monterrey hike.

The main path is wide and gently graded, following the stream through the forest, and reaches the waterfall in a couple of hours of easy walking. That is why it is the family spot par excellence: kids, grandparents and dogs all walk it alike.

For trail runners it is a weekday training ground: runnable surface, shade for much of the route and enough elevation gain to work without punishment.

It can be visited year round; the stream and waterfall look their best after the summer and fall rains, and run low in the dry season. It is a protected natural area with sign-in at the access point, entering through the La Estanzuela neighborhood.