Poza La Becerra Trail

The Poza La Becerra Trail loops around Poza La Becerra, one of the designated swimming pools inside the Cuatro Cienegas Natural Protected Area in Coahuila, about 18 kilometers from Cuatro Cienegas town along Federal Highway 30. The trailhead is reached by private vehicle, as no public transit serves the reserve; parking and the entry checkpoint are located at the site. The loop is short, about 1 kilometer, and entirely flat, with under 10 meters of elevation change, following a packed dirt and sand path through desert scrub around the pool's perimeter. The terrain is easy underfoot, ringed by gypsum sand and low creosote brush typical of the Cuatro Cienegas basin, with minimal shade along the route. The main landmark is Poza La Becerra itself, a clear, spring-fed pool designated for swimming, unlike Poza Azul elsewhere in the reserve. Interpretive markers along the path note the surrounding desert-scrub ecology. Because the loop is short and features a single pool, most visitors walk the full circuit and then spend time at the water's edge rather than seeking a specific turnaround point. There are no refuge huts or shelters along the trail, and while the pool itself provides a place to cool off, no potable drinking water is available on site, so the recommended one litre should be brought from town. Photographers often visit at midday when sunlight best reveals the pool's turquoise clarity, while birdwatchers may spot desert species using the scrub for cover. Given the exposure to sun and the desert heat, the cooler months from October to April are most comfortable for the walk, though many visitors come specifically to swim, which is possible year-round given the pool's constant spring temperature.