Exploring Bosque Los Colomos in Guadalajara

During my stay in Mexico City last year, I was charmed by its many green spaces. I especially loved exploring its largest urban park, Bosque de Chapultepec. Guadalajara can’t quite compete with the capital in that regard, but it still has a few beautiful urban parks, including Bosque Los Colomos.

Bosque Los Colomos is located in the northwest of the city, between Guadalajara and Zapopan. The forest there was originally exploited for the construction of the city, and later, at the end of the 19th century, some infrastructures were built there to supply Guadalajara with drinking water. In the 1980s, the forest was fenced off as part of a project to turn it into a zoo, but local residents opposed the plan. In 2006, Los Colomos Forest was finally designated a protected area.

I’ve heard beforehand that this is considered as one of Guadalajara’s most beautiful parks. From the moment I arrived, I was completely enchanted by the greenery and the tranquility. It was hard to believe I was still in one of Mexico’s most populous cities!

Bosque Los Colomos covers an area of 93 hectares. It features several trails and a number of attractions. At its centre stands the Castillo (the Castle), the former administrative building of the area’s hydraulic system, which now serves as a cultural center. Near the Castillo is a Japanese garden, which happened to be closed at the time.

With no particular destination in mind, I followed one of the park’s many trails at random. I simply wanted to explore as much of it as possible. Along the trails, there are several interpretive signs indicating which species of birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals can be spotted in the park.

That was what I enjoyed most about my visit. It is a wonderful natural haven in the middle of an urban environment. I saw many species of birds, several squirrels, turtles, and even a few chickens. I also appreciated how completely different the surroundings were from Barranca de Huentitán, where I had hiked a few days earlier.

I followed a combination of trails that allowed me to cover as much distance as possible. I passed by an enclosure where a few horses were grazing (I imagine it is possible to do some horseback riding there). I also visited an arid garden filled with a wide variety of cacti.

Eventually, the trails brought me back to my starting point. In the meantime, the Japanese garden had opened, so I took the opportunity to visit it. It was a bit busier than the other areas of the park, but it was still a charming spot.

Before leaving, I also walked around the Lago de los Patos, a pond where several turtles were basking in the sun. There’s a small café there, and I took the opportunity to have a break and enjoy a mollete by the water. What a wonderful way to end my walk through the park!

After that peaceful moment, returning to the traffic and busy streets of downtown Guadalajara felt a little strange, but I really enjoyed discovering this green corner of the city. And once again, it reminded me just how much urban parks can be true gems!