San Antonio de las Alazanas Pine Forest Trail

The San Antonio de las Alazanas Pine Forest Trail loops through the pine stands surrounding San Antonio de las Alazanas, a highland apple-growing village at 2,180 meters in the Serrania de Zapaliname, part of the Sierra Madre Oriental south of Saltillo, Coahuila. The trailhead is reached by combi or private vehicle from Saltillo via the Carretera Saltillo-Zaragoza, followed by a short local road into the village; there is no formal parking area, but roadside space is available near the plaza principal. The loop covers about 6 kilometers with roughly 200 meters of cumulative elevation gain, making it an easy-to-moderate outing suitable for hikers of most fitness levels. The surface alternates between packed dirt forest paths and short stretches of quiet village road, with gentle, rolling grades rather than sustained climbs. Shade from the surrounding pine forest is generous for most of the loop, though open orchard sections near the village receive full sun. Landmarks along the way include the village plaza and church at the start, the apple orchards ringing San Antonio de las Alazanas (particularly scenic during the September harvest), and viewpoints over the Serrania de Zapaliname range. Most visitors complete the full loop, but the orchard sections near the village make a reasonable turnaround point for a shorter walk. There are no refuge huts or emergency shelters along the route, and while the village itself has small shops and restaurants, no potable water sources exist once on the forest paths, so hikers should carry their own. Because the village sits above 2,100 meters, early mornings are cold year-round, and layers are recommended even when the daytime forecast calls for mild temperatures.