El Cercado: History, Cave and Reservoir

El Cercado brings together industrial history, nature conservation and activities on the water. For trip planning, the route to Cascada del Chipitín is also included as a separate point of reference.

Textile history in El Cercado

The El Porvenir textile factory opened in El Cercado in 1872 and was a pillar of Santiago’s economy for more than 130 years.

Cueva de los Murciélagos: history and bat conservation

The large cave in El Cercado is known by several names: Cueva de los Murciélagos, Cueva de la Boca and Cueva de Agapito Treviño all refer to the same cave. So if you come across any of these names, they do not refer to a separate destination. The cave was once a mine, but it is now closed. This closure is important for planning a visit: the cave is a historical and ecological landmark, but it is not currently open to visitors.

At the same time, Cueva de los Murciélagos is a bat sanctuary. An estimated more than five million bats from over six different species live there. The cave’s former use as a mine and its protected status describe different aspects of the same cave: its history on the one hand, and its present-day ecological character on the other. The population is estimated; figures may change over time.

Walks and boat trips at the Presa

Presa Rodrigo Gómez is also known as La Boca and is associated with activities on the water in El Cercado. Visitors can walk along the Malecón; catamaran trips are also offered. This gives you a choice of different activities: a walk along the Malecón or a trip on the water. Catamaran trips may not always be available. If a trip is important to your plans, check availability in advance.

Route to Cascada del Chipitín

To reach Cascada del Chipitín, follow the road uphill for about 12 km from the turnoff near El Cercado to the Puerto Genovevo area. A gravel road begins there. The distance of about 12 km refers to the road section up to this area; the transition to the gravel road comes next along the route. Terrain and access conditions may vary, so check current conditions before making plans. Puerto Genovevo is a specific point of reference where the road section ends and the following gravel section begins.

You can distinguish between the different themes when choosing the focus of your trip: El Porvenir represents industrial history, while the closed cave is associated with bat conservation and its former use as a mine. At the Presa, you can choose between a walk and a catamaran trip; the route to the waterfall is defined mainly by the transition from road to gravel. This lets you decide first whether history, wildlife, water or the route itself is your main focus.

Discover more destinations: San Pedro Garza Garcia, Santa Catarina, Anáhuac, Agua Fría, General Escobedo, Santa Anita del Peñasco, La Cáscara, Divisadero

For the broader travel overview: Nuevo León.