Presa de la Olla to El Faro Loop

The Presa de la Olla to El Faro loop starts at the small reservoir on the eastern edge of Guanajuato City's historic centre, an easy 20-minute walk or short taxi ride from downtown; no permit or parking fee applies since the reservoir sits on a public promenade. From the dam wall, a signed footpath climbs roughly 100m in elevation over packed dirt and stone steps to the El Faro (lighthouse-shaped) lookout tower on Cerro de las Comadres, a route of about 6km for the full loop and 2-2.5 hours including time at the viewpoint. The climbing section has some loose gravel and exposed rock but no technical scrambling, making it accessible to hikers of moderate fitness; shade is limited on the upper slope but the return leg along the Paseo de la Presa runs beneath a canopy of mature jacaranda and ash trees. Key landmarks include the reservoir's original 19th-century dam structure, the whitewashed El Faro tower itself, and sweeping views over Guanajuato City's colorful rooftops and surrounding ravines from the lookout platform. Many hikers use the El Faro tower as the natural turn-around point before descending back toward the tree-lined promenade, since the loop's second half is largely flat, paved walking. There are no water sources or shelters on the climbing section, though the Paseo de la Presa has cafes, benches, and restrooms near the reservoir. The trail is popular with local families and joggers, especially on weekend mornings and evenings.