Peña de Bernal from the Rear – San Sebastián Bernal (and the magic) is on the Other Side
A forty minute drive from my home in Querétaro on some pretty modern highways gets one to San Sebastián Bernal, the gateway to the third largest monolith in the world: Peña de Bernal. Now it was the Mexican Federal government that came up with this magical town scheme, but they did a pretty good job of it. Next visit I will stay for a night at one the boutique hotels and experience a bit more of the village rather the make the grueling climb up Peña de Bernal.
A Proper View Already Well Above the Village and Approaching the Dozens of Tourist Venues
Next time I would hope to bring a companion to enjoy the Pueblo Mágico to its fullest. This big old rock is said to have been around for 100 million years. The climb brought me back to Korea, trekking up the path to Beomeosa Temple. But instead of a small mini Buddhist Temple on the top, there was a mini Catholic Church (room for one to kneel).
Although the Path Only Gets You to the Little Church and not the Summit, I Opted to Stick With It Instead of This Route!
I love climbing mountains and monoliths. I can still do it! Given the mile high altitude, I had to take a break every hundred meters or so, but so what – it was a stunning day! Even the young teens got a bit winded on the way up.
View from as High as I Dared to Go – Going Beyond the Little Church is Not Recommended
This was a challenging climb yet I saw young families (some with infants) make it this far. So perhaps I am getting old or they are all better Catholics. The reward is not only this view but of course the tiny church (a picture of which I will post on an entire page I have planned for Pueblo Mágico).
The climb down, of course, was far easlier but seems to take a greater toll on my knees. I made it just before the first thunder clouds rolled in, thinking how smart I was relative to the hundreds now up on that monolith about to get soaked.
Off the Village Square in San Sebastián Bernal
Although I knew the rains would stop and the sun break through again soon, I decided to save exploring the magical village for another weekend with a special friend in mind. This is a delightful spot in México and I look forward to returning.
