Monkey Mountain via Camino Patzcuaro Sur is a 5 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and running.
hiking
running
forest
views
wildlife
Kearstyn Fox recorded Recording - Feb 07, 06:53 PM
the trail is not marked in many places. Parked at Jacqueline Hacienda. went across Creek and between towel and horse fields for about a mile. Road curves to left and goes up steep hill and a sign in English and Spanish says no trespassing to the right. You have to go through the gate that says no trespassing LOL. Then that Trail is fairly obvious but those for couple miles maybe that least a mile and a half. Fairly steep with some ropes. View is excellent and worth the hike. Definitely ask every local you see which way to go LOL
The trail was extremely unclear. We did not get to Monkey Mountain due absence of trail markings and hitting a fence that said no trespassing. It turns out we may have been able to pass but as we were unfamiliar with the area we turned around. We went back a few days later with a local guide who actually took us in a different entrance and it was a lovely hike. For first time I recommend going with a guide. Once you are familiar you could do on your own no problem.
Aside from a bull and a tiny lizard there was no wildlife to speak of, however, there were frigate birds and many colorful long-tailed songbirds. Most of the climb occurs in the last mile which means it's quite steep but the view of Punta Mita is quite beautiful. Finally, there are a couple of livestock gates to pass through and just before the road transitions to trail a metal gate warning "No Pasar". A trail to the left will take you around the fenced area.
