Cerro de la Silla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cerro de la Silla |
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Cerro de la Silla in 2004
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,820 m (5,970 ft) |
| Prominence | 1.200 meters |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Saddle Hill |
| Language of name | Spanish |
| Pronunciation | Spanish pronunciation: [ˈsero ˌðelaˈsiʝa] |
| Geography | |
| Location | Guadalupe and Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking |
The Cerro de la Silla is a famous mountain in northeastern Mexico. It is located near the city of Monterrey, in the state of Nuevo León. People often call it "Saddle Hill" because it looks like a saddle when you see it from the west. This unique shape makes it a well-known symbol of Monterrey.
Even though it's a symbol of Monterrey, the mountain is actually in the nearby town of Guadalupe. The Mexican government made it a special natural monument in 1991. This means it is a protected area.
Contents
About the Mountain
Cerro de la Silla covers a large area, about 60.5 square kilometers (23 square miles). It has four main peaks. These peaks are Pico Antena, Pico Norte, Pico Sur, and Pico la Virgen.
Mountain Peaks
- Pico Norte (North Peak) is the tallest. It reaches a height of 1,820 meters (5,970 feet).
- Pico la Virgen (Virgin's Peak) is the lowest of the four peaks. It is about 1,750 meters (5,740 feet) high.
Fun Activities
Cerro de la Silla is a popular place for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy hiking there.
Hiking to the Top
Hikers often use a trail that is about 5.3 kilometers (3.3 miles) long to reach the top. The climb is considered quite challenging. It usually takes about three hours to complete the hike. From the top, you can see amazing panoramic views of the city of Monterrey.
The Old Cable Car
In the past, there was a plan to build a cable car, also called an aerial tramway, on the mountain. This was meant to help people get to the top faster. The cable car opened on June 2, 1961. However, on the very first day, a sad accident happened. Five people lost their lives, and the cable car had to close. Today, only the upper station of the tramway remains. There have been talks about building a new one, but nothing has happened yet.
Other Mountains Nearby
The area around Monterrey has several other interesting mountains and hills. Some of these include Cerro de las Mitras and parts of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. The Cerro de Chipinque is also part of this range and looks like an "M" shape from the city. Other notable hills are Cerro del Topo Chico, Cerro del Obispado, Cerro de la Loma Larga, and La Huasteca.
Gallery
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Cerro de la Silla and Monterrey from space
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Cerro de la Silla as seen from Cerro del Obispado
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Palacio del Obispado and Cerro de la Silla, 1904
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Clouds over Cerro de la Silla.
See also
In Spanish: Cerro de la Silla para niños
