Hiking to El Salto Fall

Hiking to El Salto Fall in the El Jorullo area can demand energy if we do it at a good speed. However, if we do it slowly, it can be achieved in up to four and a half hours.

If we follow the Cuale River up the mountain from Puerto Vallarta to the area of Paso del Molino, we will have to cross the Luis Donaldo Colosio Libramiento. Then, we will continue along Felipe Ángeles Street until we reach the first vehicular bridge that crosses the river, but we will go along the path of the right side of it for about 500 meters. There we will cross the river. That’s right, we will wet our feet for the first time.

The path avoids the rocks of the river, and it is possible to recognize it immediately, although after crossing the river bend through the ground, we must cross the water back to the mountain skirt.

This mountain section is steep and long, therefore, we must be careful and use much enthusiasm. After 1 kilometer, and probably finding cattle, we will cross with a dusty and wide road. Usually, 4-wheel motorbikes and  razor vehicles use. Therefore, we will have to pay attention to avoid accidents and wear a bandana to avoid breathing the dust that these vehicles raise in their path.

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There are some viewpoints in this section from where you can see cliffs in the nearby mountains, as well as the sea in the bay. This section is full of light ups and downs for 2 kilometers, until we find a bridge that we will avoid in order to search under it a staircase that leads to the river that is heard below us.

At the base of this staircase, we will find the El Salto waterfall, which is adorned with rocks by its side. They are used as diving platforms by those who dare to swim and climb a staircase . They use the help of a rope that of course is cover of lyme and thus slippery. Occasionally, there may be lifesavers that some people leave out there for visitors. I suggest using them to avoid an unforeseen event.

There are many places to take our snacks and water under the shade or on a rock to dry the clothes. You have to rest enough because the return is equally long.

Personally, along with a friend, I ran down the most steep part that ends in the river on our return the last time we visited the waterfall. There when we climb and we have found the dirt path, from there, we started the daring but very funny descent as a trail running.

On our way back, on the main street, we found a restaurant to eat, drink and gather in a less demanding way.