Hi there!!!
Near to Mexico City, about one and a half hour by car, you can spend a weekend or your next vacation. The state of Hidalgo has four magical towns (Pueblos), where you can perform different and fun activities, as well as admire its landscapes and cuisine.
A magical town is a locality that has symbolic attributes, legends, history, transcendent facts …
Here 4 of them in Hidalgo:
1. Huasca de Ocampo.
Its landscape invites to walk on most of its corners through cobbled streets. Huasca has everything to spend a pleasant weekend.
The provincial image of this picturesque town offers the visitor a colorful spectacle worthy of appreciation: its buildings with red tile roofs, the portals of its historic center, the hospitality of its people, its streets selling handicrafts and local food.
Typical crafts are red clay pots and river stone pots.
The drinks of the place are the eggnog made in the region and the little cakes, drink prepared with fruit and juices of the place with or without alcohol. Try the traditional “sopes” and “quesadillas” from the center’s portals, also the delicious mushroom soup.
Let me tell you how to get?
Huasca is located 124 kms. from Mexico City and 34 kms. from the city of Pachuca. If you go by car you must take the Mountain Corridor (Corredor de la Montaña) and approximately 45 minutes to arrive (from Pachuca).
Real del Monte
It is a picturesque town where you can breathe authentic provincial air, and merge with the vestiges of our mestizo culture and English influence. Here you will find attractive old buildings and in the surroundings some mines.
Nowadays you can walk through its inclined cobbled streets and enjoy the view of the multi-colored houses, some of which have been remodeled in their interiors to leave them as they were more than a century ago and rescue their splendor.
At the beginning of the 20th century, there were more than 140 mines in this town, and in some years the exploitation of silver in the region occupied important places in world production. You can also visit silverware workshops or be part of the development of the traditional paste, lunch of English miners. It was in this community that the first football matches took place.
Do not forget to try the delicious typical “pastes” of the place.
You can find all kinds of objects, ornaments and souvenirs made with silver from the region at very good prices.
There are tours in turibus that will take you to know the different attractions of Real del Monte.
How to get?
It is 105 kms from Mexico City and 12 kms. from the city of Pachuca. If you go by car you must take the Mountain Corridor and approximately 15 minutes to arrive.
Mineral del Chico
First protected natural area of Mexico. This beautiful forest of Oyameles and oaks is located in the territory of the municipalities of Mineral del Monte, Mineral del Chico and Pachuca.
It has 2,754 hectares with an infinity of natural attractions. It is the region where sports and recreational activities have been practiced for decades, and is currently considered the mecca of adventure tourism.
In its mountains, valleys and dams it is practiced: mountain biking, sport fishing, hiking, camping, rappelling, zip lines and especially rock climbing, since there are more than 200 rock formations in the park with wonderful sites to dare to climb them
The National Park has an alpine lodge that provides accommodation service, parking for mobile homes, camping area and sports facilities.
There are many trout farms, fish raised in this region, where besides knowing the places where they breed, you can enjoy a dish prepared with this delicious variety.
The Apple and Begonia Festival is held at the beginning of August and tours through the orchards are offered.
Do not forget to enjoy a “Tachuela”, a special drink prepared in the place and that will make your stay happy.
Try the giant quesadillas of exquisite and diverse stews.
How to get?
It is located 117 km from Mexico City and 19 kms. from the city of Pachuca. If you go by car you must take the Mountain Corridor and at the end of the corridor take the left through the tunnel, there are the signs that lead you to the detour to El Chico.
Huichapan
Huichapan is one of the Hidalgo towns richest in history and culture. With a pleasant temperate climate, this magical town is characterized by the heroism of its men and women in the crucial moments of the nation, as were the independence struggle and the Mexican Revolution.
In Huichapan you will find much to see and do, either walking the streets and monuments of its historic center, practicing ecotourism in its surroundings or enjoying some of the hot springs that abound in this region.
In 2012 Huichapan was named Magic Town (Pueblo Magico) and honors this distinction for the beauty of its streets, the splendor of its churches and temples, the warmth of its people, the exquisite dishes of the region, its sports such as charrería and its history.
The typical kitchen is characterized by barbecue, pork carnitas, enchiladas and regional cheeses.
Try the “Carnaval” which is a drink made with orange juice, tequila and secret ingredients that give it a very special flavor.
Walk the streets of Huichapan and discover vestiges of the history of Mexico’s Independence.
Quarry mines abound, so you can find many decorative objects of this material.
How to get?
There are several options to get to Huichapan. From Mexico City take the Mexico-Querétaro highway, and at kilometer 107, the deviation to Huichapan. After crossing the town of Nopala, you will be a few steps from the city.
If you are interesting in any of these activities, let me know, I’m so willing to help you.
