Reserva de la Biósfera de la Barranca de Metztitlán, Biosphere reserve in Hidalgo, Mexico
The Reserva de la Biósfera de la Barranca de Metztitlán is a large protected area in Hidalgo featuring deep canyons, desert vegetation, and varied habitats such as pine forests and oak woodlands. The landscape spans across multiple municipalities and displays canyon-like formations throughout its terrain.
The reserve was established in 2000 and protects a landscape that includes ancient cave paintings and settlements from earlier times. The town of Metztitlán, which resisted Aztec rule, lies within this protected area.
The 16th-century monastery stands in the canyon as a reminder of Spanish missionaries who worked to transform the region. The remains speak to a moment when faith and conquest came together in this landscape.
The area offers several ways to explore: hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching are available in designated zones. Allow extra time for travel since the reserve spans across multiple municipalities.
The area is home to cacti species found nowhere else in the world, growing naturally only in this region. The Metztitlán lagoon, a protected wetland, attracts water birds and wildlife, offering visitors an unexpected natural wonder.
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