Peña de Bernal

After a long journey I made it to Bernal, a small village in the state of Querétaro. I spent one night in this rather expensive place only to visit one of the 13 natural wonders of Mexico called Peña de Bernal. Let me see what google has to say about this rock:

The Peña de Bernal is the third largest monolith in the world, after the Rock of Gibraltar in the Mediterranean and the Pan de Azúcar in Rio de Janeiro. It rises majestically above the Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) of San Sebastián Bernal, in Querétaro, which was founded in the 17th century.

The Peña is considered a sacred site within Otomí-Chichimeca culture, owing to the pre-Hispanic cross carved out of stone that lies at its summit. Otomí-Chichimeca ancestors used to venerate it before the arrival of the Spanish and the evangelization of the region. To this day, local indigenous people hike to the summit, in procession, every May fourth, carrying a 187-pound wooden cross.

The best way to experience the Peña de Bernal is by hiking up one of its sides. The trail is laid out perfectly, so no additional or special climbing equipment is required.Read more