Hiking Loreto
Hikes, Walks, Rides and Explorations
In Loreto and the Sierra Giganta
The Hiking Loreto Guide Book
This edition of Hiking Loreto lists over 85 hikes, walks and rides.
Unlike the many hiking areas you may be familiar with, this area is wilderness. There are very few signs or trail markers. Every journey into the desert and mountains of the Sierra Giganta will be an adventure.
This guide book is not intended to be a catalog of hikes in the
Loreto area. It is intended as a guide for sharing some of the
beautiful places we have found and for finding your own
adventures. The more we hike, the more we find, the more
other hikers find, the more we can add to this guide book.
It is meant to be a sharing of information.
Saddling South
by Trudi Angel
After spending 9 years exploring and leading tours on the eastern coast of Baja California Sur by sea kayak, in November, 1985 I had the amazing experience of saddling up on a mesa in the Sierra San Francisco, plunging past the cirios, down a rocky switchback trail to the headwaters of Santa Teresa into a rock-art-covered canyon on a mule named Muñeca. I didn’t give up sea kayaking right then and there.
But I have always had a life-long habit to ride across as many mountain ranges as one can access on four hooves.
It’s not just the trails, it’s not just the lovely folks you meet in the outback ranches, or the campfire that warms you on a crisp morning, and it’s not just the rhythm that swings along as you and your animals travel through the natural world finding water holes and desert-dinners for horses. The best blessings have been traveling with vaqueros whose roots are sunk into another century, and whose knowledge and lore can transport you back to those days, not long ago, when everyone in the original California rode those trails.
It’s been a wonderful journey to invite others to join, learn, and soak up that special understanding, that special sense of wilderness.
Join Trudi for an adventure of a lifetime, at
SaddlingSouth.com
The National Parks
On August 16th 2023, Nopoló Park and Loreto II Park were set aside for conservation via two Presidential decrees to support sustainable development, ecotourism, and permanent habitat protection. These two new parks will support activities that are economically beneficial to local communities without sacrificing the natural resources that are essential to the well being of current and future generations.
We are incredibly fortunate to now have three National Parks in the Loreto area. The two newest parks include the hills of
Loreto and the majestic canyons south of Juncalito, including Tabor Canyon down to Puerto Escondido. Hopefully, as the management plan develops, the new inland parks will have new hiking and biking trails with trail signs, camping, and parking areas. Check the Conserva Loreto website
conservaloreto.org and The Ocean Foundation website for
updated info. Oceanfdn.org
Desert Hiking
Desert Hiking is quite different from hiking through other terrains and offers truly unique rewards. If you aren’t familiar with it, you may think of the desert as hot, dry, harsh, hazardous and not very appealing. To the contrary, desert hiking can be extremely rewarding and pleasurable. The desert isn’t always hot, although you
certainly may want to avoid the summer months. The winter offers great hiking temperatures.
Every area has been affected differently and carved by years of water, wind and ice erosion. The resulting variations in land
formation include canyons, natural bridges, arches, windows, pinnacles, tufas, slot canyons, hoodoos, and sand dunes to
name a few.
You’ll find plenty of solitude in the vastness of the desert landscape, and desert hiking offers countless opportunities to gain vantage points with outstanding views.
Hire a Guide
As well as helping the local economy, hiring a local guide is, without question, the best way to see and learn about this beautiful area. Many hikes are tricky to find, and a guide will assure you you won’t be lost. Most guides will provide transportation, lunch and a abundance of information.
About Loreto
Loreto, Baja California Sur was the first Spanish settlement on the Baja peninsula. Founded in 1697 by the Jesuit Missionaries, Loreto served as the capital until 1777. Loreto is a world-class sport fishing destination with anglers from all over the world seeking out the Dorado, Pacific Sailfish, Marlin, and Yellowtail. Whale watching has become increasingly popular as there is a high concentration of Blue Whales during winter and spring months as well as Humpbacks, Finbacks, Sperm Whales, Orcas, Pilot Whales and friendly Grey Whales. For many decades, Loreto has been a popular eco-tourist destination as well. Available activities
include horse and mule-packing trips, local and long-range kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, bird watching, and exploring the abundant natural wonders on both land and sea. Hiking, Mountain Biking and Rock Climbing are newer activities that are increasing in popularity due to the special beauty of the surrounding area
More fun stuff to do
There is much to do in Loreto, rent an ATV or take an overnight or day tour on a Speed side by side UTV. Hire a panga for a day tour around the islands or to the beautiful beaches of Isla Coronados. Go deep sea fishing, whale watching, Horseback riding. Rent a bicycle, or take an e-bike tour.
