While in Mexico recently, I went on a hike with brother Tom and sister-in-law Patti. I was their guest at their El Cid time share. When we went on our City tour, I was excited to see the Faro Lighthouse Hill, and knew that I had to do the hike to the top before I went home.
I was leaving Mazatlán on February 7th, with my sisters Carol and Trudy. Unfortunately Carol was suffering from an upset stomach, and could not go on the hike, and Trudy stayed at the hotel to make sure Carol was going to be okay. We will be going back next year, and Carol and Trudy will do the hike then.
Tom, Patti and I took a 'Pulmonia' cab to the foot of the Faro Hill. Enrico (Ernie), our driver informed us that 'faro' is latin for 'lighthouse'. (Duh!) On the 'cab' ride we enjoyed the sites along the Malecon. The fare, one way, was only 100 pesos.
Enrico offered to come back in an hour to take us back to our resort. We started our hike at 9:30 am.
The first section of the hike, is on a trail which is mostly a lava rock path. The lighthouse is at the foot of the harbor. In the image above, you can see the harbor in the background of this photo of a cactus. The harbor is used by the Ferry system, and cruise lines, as well as fishermen and boating enthusiasts. The Ferry system provides service to La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, on the Baja Peninsula, to the west of Mazatlán, across the Sea of Cortez.
The hill is 550 feet above sea level. It is the second highest altitude for a lighthouse in the world. Roughly halfway up the hill, there are concrete steps that take you to the lighthouse. There are 300 steps to the top. We were a little disappointed in the maintenance of the trail. There are many garbage cans along the trail, but there were a lot of discarded water bottles, pop cans, potato chip bags and other garbage strewn along the path. We cleaned up what we could- but much of the garbage was inaccessible, as the garbage had been thrown a good distance over the wall that can be seen to the left of the steps. It was too dangerous to get to the garbage. It was still a very scenic hike, but would have been much nicer without having to see the garbage.
My camera is pointing west. Las Cabos is a 20 hour ferry ride to the west. The hill is very steep as this image shows, but the trail is designed in a switchback pattern, as are the steps, so it really is not a very difficult hike, if you are physically fit.
We are at the summit and are just below the lighthouse. Fantastic views.
The 'faro'. It is still a working lighthouse, and is manned 24 hours a day. We were not allowed to go up to the tower where the light is.
Some views from the top, and our descent down the steps.
It was 25 minutes to get to the top of the hill. We got back to sea level and the harbor at 10:30, exactly one hour from the time we departed, and Enrico and his pulmonia were waiting for us.
If you ever get to Mazatlán, I highly recommend this hike. Just the drive to the hill is worth the cab fare!! Lots to see on the trip there and back.
Hola!
Time- 60 minutes
Moderately strenuous and not recommended if you have mobility issues
Wear good running shoes or hiking boots- NO SANDALS
Take some cat food to feed the feral cat who will come out of the jungle and beg for food.
