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Cerro de la Bufa to Presa de la Olla

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Photo ofCerro de la Bufa to Presa de la Olla Photo ofCerro de la Bufa to Presa de la Olla Photo ofCerro de la Bufa to Presa de la Olla

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Trail stats

Distance
4.36 mi
Elevation gain
1,365 ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Elevation loss
1,385 ft
Max elevation
7,736 ft
TrailRank 
54 4.7
Min elevation
6,883 ft
Trail type
One Way
Moving time
2 hours 15 minutes
Time
4 hours
Coordinates
1269
Uploaded
February 3, 2018
Recorded
February 2018
  • Rating

  •   4.7 3 Reviews

near Loma de Zaragoza, Guanajuato (Mexico)

Viewed 9716 times, downloaded 118 times

Trail photos

Photo ofCerro de la Bufa to Presa de la Olla Photo ofCerro de la Bufa to Presa de la Olla Photo ofCerro de la Bufa to Presa de la Olla

Itinerary description

"La Bufa" is the probably the prominent geographic feature in Guanajuato city and the most climbed. It is a relatively easy climb and the panoramic views from the top are outstanding.

While I start at the Colonia Universitaria, just above the Panoramica, There is a more commonly used parking lot next to an Electrical Substation a further west on the Panoramic near the Hospital.

And, while this destination is usually done as an 'up and down', after climbing the summit, this route returns by traversing east along a series of small hills, then following a trail down to Pres de la Olla, just west of 'El Faro', the lighthouse. Alternatively, you can hike to Calderones, easily visible from the traverse and return by bus to Guanajuato. More adventurous hikers can follow the steep canyon to the southeast of Presa de la Olla but there is one tricky section near the bottom of get around a waterfall.

Waypoints

PictographPhoto Altitude 6,942 ft
Photo ofPhoto

Photo

Start of the trail in the Colonia Universitaria. Head up into the Colonia, keeping left at the first fork and look for a fence next to this yellow home (and usually a few cars parked here). The trail traverses to the right.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,146 ft
Photo ofHitting access road from panorámica below.

Hitting access road from panorámica below.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,320 ft
Photo ofPhoto

Photo

The trail is following a gravel road/track until it turns sharply left just after the caves and a shrine dedicated to San Ignacio.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,323 ft
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Photo

A shrine dedicated to San Ignacio (Catholic Saint Ignatius). Every July 31, a mass is held here. Sometimes this day is referred to as "Dia de la Cueva" (Cave Day) in Guanajuato.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,320 ft
Photo ofPhoto

Photo

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,336 ft
Photo ofCave at start of steep ascent to southeast.

Cave at start of steep ascent to southeast.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,359 ft
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Photo

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,464 ft
Photo ofPart way up the ascent up east side.

Part way up the ascent up east side.

Guanajuato in the distance.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,602 ft
Photo ofSaddle before final ascent back towards north.

Saddle before final ascent back towards north.

Looking south. This knoll is the highest point in this area. It is a little tricky to get up but worth it (although I haven’t mapped it yet).

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,648 ft
Photo ofPhoto

Photo

From the peak looking west towards Guanajuato and the State Finance building complex.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,680 ft
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Photo

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,677 ft
Photo ofSummit

Summit

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,677 ft
Photo ofSummit

Summit

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,677 ft
Photo ofPhoto

Photo

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,631 ft
Photo ofFinal route to the summit

Final route to the summit

While I photographed these returning, these stairs are carved into the rock, offering easy access to the summit.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,717 ft
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Photo

Looking across Guanajuato with "La Crucera" on the other side.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,717 ft
Photo ofPhoto

Photo

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,717 ft
Photo ofPhoto

Photo

Guanajuato from the ridge

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,644 ft
Photo ofTwo Sisters

Two Sisters

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,687 ft
Photo ofTwo Sisters

Two Sisters

These can also be accessed easily from Calderones.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,497 ft
Photo ofPhoto

Photo

Looking back west at one of the hills to the east of La Bufa. Our road veered a little away from the edge at this point but, there are great vistas from there if you choose to take a ten minute sidetrip. You can see an access to an abandoned mine in the side of the hill.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,493 ft
Photo ofPhoto

Photo

Looking back up the route showing it had been 'carved' out of the hillside many years ago.

PictographPhoto Altitude 7,224 ft
Photo ofJust above Presa de la Olla

Just above Presa de la Olla

Looking west towards Guanajuato

PictographPhoto Altitude 6,946 ft
Photo ofParque Las Acacias at the Presa de la Olla.

Parque Las Acacias at the Presa de la Olla.

Arriving at Presa de la Olla and the Parque Las Acacias with a statue of Don Miguel Allende.

Comments  (7)

  • Balazs S. Oct 14, 2018

    Was a nice track! Thanks for sharing :)

  • Photo of Decortz
    Decortz May 14, 2019

    ¿Se puede hacer solo esta ruta? ¿O sabes de un guía?

  • David McConnell Dec 22, 2019

    I have followed this trail  View more

    Start was short walk from bus, finished by lakes. Saw donkeys, horses, a hawk, some cows. Great views easy to follow to summit trail is less worn from summit to lakes.

  • Photo of POKES
    POKES May 25, 2020

    HOLA. LA RUTA LA.PODRAN HACER PRINCIPIANTES o sea yop

  • Photo of Arturo Diez 2
    Arturo Diez 2 Aug 29, 2020

    Muy buena ruta. Sólo me asusté un poco porque cerca de comenzar a subir la cima me encontré a un cholo que se veía muy sospechoso, por lo que tuve que ladear una parte.

  • Photo of Arturo Diez 2
    Arturo Diez 2 Aug 30, 2020

    I have followed this trail  View more

    I've done almost all this trail. I started from a different point, the one that starts at Isste, but then followed the whole trail. It has very nice views and it's not to hard to follow. I have an advice though if you, like me, go alone. Watch out your surroundings cause not often but sometimes there are robbers around this area. This was my four time here and this time I saw a very weird and sneaky guy following me with a mask and gap and when I saw him and said hello, he acted very strange and trying to chase me. I had to run for a while until I found another two hikers (the only ones there plus me); then I didn't see the guy again.

  • luisemezeta Sep 7, 2020

    I have followed this trail  verified  View more

    Muy buena ruta, la única parte moderadamente difícil podría decirse qué es el inicio ya que tienes que escalar un poco para subir el cerro de la bufa. Es muy recomendable estacionarse cerca del ISSSTE, eso acortaría un poco la ruta pero hay más espacio, ya que donde se marca el inicio de la ruta es una cuadra cerrada con casas en donde está complicado estacionarse. Muy buena ruta para los que iniciamos en este mundo del senderismo.

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