What we noticed about our hiking adventures here in San Miguel de Allende is that they bear similarities to our trail adventures back in the Niagara Region of Canada. Keep in mind that we consider ourselves “seekers of the good life.” This means we want our adventures to be buttered with a little culture whether that be art, architecture, great food, or wine (or tequila!).
Expat Haven: San Miguel de Allende
When it comes to an expat haven, San Miguel de Allende may not be at the top of the list. It is not a sought-after beach town. It is at least a day’s drive to the closest beach. This gem of a town is in central Mexico, just north of Mexico City.
The town sits at just over six-thousand feet so winter mornings can be quite chilly. Days however are filled with plenty of sunshine. And the cost of living is not cheap! What’s the draw for nearly 18,000 expats in a town of less than 200,000 people?
THIS TOWN IS FILLED WITH THINGS TO DO!
Check out this snapshot of the goings-on from the San Miguel Live website:
Besides an abundance of live music, films, theatre, dancing, and other performances, this town gained notoriety as an art colony way back in the thirties. Americans and Canadians still flock here to this day to pursue a creative lifestyle.
Read more about how we ended up in San Miguel in my post here
Niagara Region: Also a Cultural Hotspot
Before I delve into hiking adventures in San Miguel, I will also sing the praises of the Niagara Region, our home in Canada.
The Region borders New York State in the U.S. It is home to a burgeoning wine scene. It is one of Canada’s oldest and busiest wine regions thanks to the climate. Alongside the wineries, the gastronomic industry has taken hold in the Region. For us locals and aspiring foodies, this means one thing – non-stop sensory experiences for our taste buds!
Niagara Falls is also one of the top attractions bringing in millions of visitors each year!
These are just a few of the main draws in the Niagara Region. This area is hopping with things to do!
But first – let’s look at hiking in each bountiful region.
Hiking Adventures: San Miguel de Allende
Our initial hiking adventures in San Miguel have taken us to the botanical gardens – El Charco del Ingenio.
We live just down the road from the Gardens and the walk there is stunning! By “down the road,” I mean there is around 500′ of climbing as this town is in the highlands of Mexico with the Gardens being at one of the highest points of the town.
We have no complaints as the hills are whipping our legs into shape! Plus it’s usually more of a stroll to the Gardens as we are always in awe of the grand beauty of the houses en route and stop to take photos and to admire the architecture and profusion of flowers that drape the facades.
San Miguel’s beauty is profound. Between the cobblestone streets, old stone buildings, mysterious inner courtyards, ornate craftsman doors, and abundance of flowers hanging over the walls, this town feels like one has been plunked down into the middle of a romantic fairytale. We thoroughly enjoy walking up to the Gardens for a hike or run with such beauty to experience en route.
El Charco del Ingenio
We took out a membership at El Charco del Ingenio as we knew this would be our go-to place for hikes and trail runs. What’s neat about these gardens is that they represent a varied collection of cacti in Mexico. Of course, experiencing tropical plants is such a unique experience for us coming from Canada.
But it also means we have to be more cautious among the plants because the spines hurt when you accidentally brush up against them on the trail!
You can easily get a good hour trail run in at the Gardens if not more. The grounds are centered around a large water feature that is broken up by a dam. Downstream from the dam is a deep gorge that gives way to sweeping views of the town of San Miguel below. The gorge is dotted with fluorescent green pools of water which are stunning!
If you wander on either side of the dam the pathways take you through fields upon fields of hilly grasses and shrubs. I honestly felt somewhat like I was on a safari at one point!
Like much of San Miguel, there is a fair amount of climbing and descending throughout the Gardens. The views of the town in the very west of the park are breathtaking.
The entrance (and exit) into El Charco del Ingenio is through a beautiful stone building and features a small cafe and patio to sit and relax after a hike or run. Between the stunning walk up to the Gardens with architectural eye-candy, the unique cacti presence, amazing views, and great trails, this easily accessible hike/run playground in San Miguel makes this a dream place to live!
Hiking the Niagara Escarpment
Having lived in Niagara for nearly twenty years I can say with confidence that hiking the Niagara Escarpment is a top-notch experience. From views to well-defined trails with lots of options for short or long hikes, it is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Niagara Escarpment is an outcropping of limestone that runs right from the U.S. border and snakes its way up north. This means a great leg workout with ascents and descents, if desired or simply hiking or running on trails on top of the escarpment for outstanding views. On a clear day, you can even see the Toronto skyline from Niagara!
The biggest difference between hiking in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico and Niagara is the weather! Even in winter, we prefer to hit El Charco before noon to avoid the glaring sun as it’s mostly a sun-exposed landscape. In Niagara, summers can be hot but most trails are shaded by trees. Of course, winter hiking or running in Niagara also means snow! It can be a LOT of fun to be on the trails in the snow (yes, yes – appropriate dress is mandatory!)
Culture and Hiking in Niagara?
Sometimes you have to look at something from further afield to realize its beauty. And I have been able to do that from here in Mexico. Writing this blog has also helped me to realize what an incredible culture we have in the Niagara Region of Canada. While the popularity of the Falls may have dominated tourists’ perspective of Niagara for decades, that has been changing for a while now.
The city I live in – St. Catharines has a burgeoning culture scene with the Performing Arts Centre, Brock University, gastronomic fare, both casual and sophisticated, small theatre, wine bars, and lots of live events!
But I digress again, can the culture of Niagara be paired with hiking like I experienced in San Miguel? After all, my husband and I are most definitely “seekers of the good life” and like to combine both. I’m looking at this from a tourists’ perspective and what would motivate like-minded tourists to explore our playground back home.
Hiking Queenston & Niagara Parkway
If I had to pick one trail experience in Niagara that mimicked that of walking to and hiking El Charco del Ingenio in San Miguel, it would have to be hiking at Queenston paired with a picturesque drive along the Niagara Parkway.
This section of the Niagara Escarpment Trail (i.e. Queenston) is the closest to the U.S. border and is located in Niagara On The Lake right on the Niagara Parkway.
Here is a quick recap of hiking Queenston in Niagara on the Lake:
HIKE DIFFICULTY: EASY/MODERATE
- Trail distance: Approximately 3.3 km one way before you turn around
- Out and back with option for various distances (i.e. you end where you start)
- Relatively flat trail with a few small ups and downs
- Double-track trails in most sections
- Lots of tree roots
- Beautiful views overlooking wine country
- Start where the paved path meets the forest at the very east end of the parking lot
- No trail markers but blue and white Bruce Trail markers on trees
- Metered parking with plenty of parking
- Park bathrooms open in season
- Bruce Trail map of Queenston Heights is available for a nominal fee or buy the Bruce Trail App to view the map. You are following the white Bruce Trail blazes out and back
Similar to our walk up to the Botanical Gardens in San Miguel, the drive along the Niagara Parkway is breathtaking for its gently curving road (we call it the “Sunday driving” road), spectacular mansions, and views overlooking the Niagara Gorge. For visitors to the Niagara Region, we highly recommend pulling over to the side of the road where possible. The views of both the Niagara River and the greenery and mansions along the U.S. bluffs take your breath away!
If you are ready to push the gamut of being a “seeker of the good life” (in Niagara) check out my article “Niagara Escarpment: Best Hikes and Wineries.”
Hope you enjoyed this article and if you are visiting Niagara or San Miguel, you get to experience a little of the good life through hiking and culture.
Off the Beaten Track Accommodations
Since we have traveled a fair bit, we are always in search of really cool, off-the-beaten-track accommodations. Why stay just anywhere when you can make your stay that much more fabulous with really unique vacation rentals!
Niagara Wine: Inspiration for an Airbnb
We were inspired to start our own Airbnb based on our “love of the good life” and belief in the importance of creating top-notch experiences. You can read more about our Airbnb HERE or jump right to our listing:
Book our NIAGARA WINE COUNTRY ART HOUSE Airbnb now!
Our house is a funky art-filled abode that has a stocked kitchen for food lovers and several bars to continue your exploration of the best of Niagara’s wineries (craft beer houses and distilleries too!).
San Miguel Retreat – Airbnb
From talking to fellow expats, one of the big things we all notice about San Miguel is the lower level of daily stress. I wish I had found Eli and Joseph’s retreat when we visited this town a year ago and were “de-stressing” from a busy event production season. Their Airbnb is the epitome of relaxation.
I met the owners of San Miguel Retreats when taking an improvisation class with them in San Miguel. Eli and Joseph run several amazing acting classes and you can tell from their emails, face-to-face communications, and demenors that they are very relaxed people. When we got to talking about our respective Airbnbs I wasn’t surprised to learn that theirs was set up as a retreat. From holistic cooking to creative spaces to body healing modalities available and even a zen garden, this San Miguel vacation rental is beyond amazing!
Click here to learn more about San Miguel Retreats
Getting to Niagara or San Miguel
Niagara Region
Niagara Region is comprised of Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, St. Catharines, Fort Erie, Pelham, Port Colborne, Thorold, Wainfleet, Welland, West Lincoln, Lincoln, and Grimsby. From the south, access is via the Queenston/Lewiston Bridge or Rainbow Bridge, both in Niagara Falls, New York, or the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, New York.
From London or Toronto via Hamilton, the QEW exits in all major cities in Niagara. The closest airports are Buffalo, Hamilton, and Toronto.
San Miguel de Allende
While driving may not be the first choice of short-term vacationers, it is the main option for long term-vacationers like ourselves. Crossing into Mexico is through various land ports throughout Texas.
The closest airports are Santiago de Queretaro and Leon.
Yes, But Does Niagara Escarpment Have This?
There is one thing that a hike in San Miguel has that can’t be found in all of Niagara: