Sierras de Mahoma

The Sierras de Mahoma are not really mountains but a field of weathered granite: rounded boulders, balanced blocks and low outcrops scattered across grazing country in San José, formed as an ancient granite intrusion weathered along its joints. Some of the boulders are very large and some balanced in ways that look precarious. The area is a protected landscape and walking routes cross it from the local farms.

Highlights

• The balanced boulders - large granite blocks weathered into precarious shapes.
• The outcrop field - rounded granite scattered across the grazing country.
• The weathering pattern - the joints along which the granite broke down.
• The farm walks - guided routes across the protected landscape.

When to go

March to November is best for walking; summer is hot with no shade. Spring brings wild flowers on the grassland. Gravel roads are rough after rain.

Things to know

Most of the area is private grazing land and access needs arranging. There is no marked trail network or visitor centre. Snakes are present in the rocks in summer.

Nearby

San Jose de Mayo is east, and Colonia is west.

Key facts