Sierra de Vallejo

Sierra de Vallejo is a protected forested mountain range rising between Bucerías and Sayulita in Nayarit, offering hiking trails through tropical dry forest that transitions to denser cloud forest at higher elevations. The range shelters a variety of wildlife, including birds of prey, coatis, and occasionally sightings of ocelots deeper in the reserve, and several trailheads accessed from the Bucerías-San Pancho highway lead to waterfalls, river pools, and ridge viewpoints looking out over the Bahía de Banderas. Guided hikes are recommended given the lack of consistent trail markers and the varied terrain, which ranges from gentle river walks to steeper ridge ascents. A typical outing runs three to six hours depending on the chosen route, with some guided tours including a swim at a waterfall pool along the way. Morning departures are preferred both for cooler hiking conditions and better wildlife visibility, as many of the range's birds and mammals are most active in the early hours before the tropical heat builds through midday.