EXTREME SPORTS

 

The environs of Guadalajara?s metropolitan area offer you the opportunity to discover numerous attractions: parks, forests, and other natural areas that provide ideal settings to do countless adventure sports.

 

Lago de Chapala. Located 48 km (30 mi) south of Guadalajara on Highway 44. With an expanse of 109,801 hectares (271,000 acres), Lake Chapala is Mexico?s largest lake. Among the extreme sports offered there by adventure tour companies are hang gliding, which you can do under the guidance of an instructor, and kite surfing (boards with a sail), which is sure to give you an adrenaline rush as you soar high into the air.

 

Tapalpa. Located 130 km (81 mi) southwest of Guadalajara off Highway 54. This is one of the most beautiful towns in southern Jalisco, as it has preserved many of the old characteristics of the state?s ancient farming and agricultural communities. This area is ideal to do exciting activities such as paintball, as it offers a range with trenches, safety netting and all the other necessary services. In addition, you can do hang gliding here; Tapalpa hosts one of the world?s most important hang gliding tournaments. Another option is mountain biking, as it provides some of the best routes you?ll find outside of Guadalajara.

 

Bosque La Primavera. Located in the Primavera Sierra, 20 km (12 mi) west of Guadalajara along the Guadalajara-Tepic Highway. It is considered the most important national park in the metropolitan area and is often referred to as the city?s lungs. It has a territorial extension of 36,229 hectares (89,485 acres), which is dotted with pines and Encino oaks. Inside the park you can see what was once the Colli Volcano. In this forested area you?ll find numerous mountain-biking routes, such as la Mosca, an exhilarating 25-km (15-mi) path that takes you between trees, around sharp turns and down steep trails. The Toboganes path is a meandering 35-km (22-mi) trail through the forest. Other trails include the Obisidianas, which leads cyclists to the springs of Rio Caliente, and the Tronadora, which runs along part of the Vigia 1 path in the Bosque El Centinela.

 

Bosque El Centinela. One of the most colorful reforested areas in Guadalajara?s environs. It has some 109 hectares (269 acres) of pine and eucalyptus forest. Located in Zapopan on Avenida Periferico Norte, about 3.5 km (2 mi) from Guadalajara?s center. Las Cañadas stands out as the main mountain-biking route in this forest; this important ecological trail is lined with trees, streams and dams. The Vigia 1 route, with a 10-km (6-mi) ascent, leads to a forest watchtower, and Vigia 2, a long and flat path, stretches about 15 km (9 mi).

 

Parque Metropolitano. One of Guadalajara?s first ecological areas to look after the conservation of the region?s flora and fauna. It?s also a relaxing place to do family outings and various sports and recreational activities. Located on Avenida Beethoven in the La Estancia neighborhood. Has a 5-km (3-mi) track that is divided into two separate sections for cyclists and runners.