Cerro del Topo

Iris Ruiz invites us to discover Cerro del Topo, a mountain located in Monterrey, Nuevo León. Through the knowledge sharing, the Hormigas del Topo collective works to defend the territory, its history, and the collective memory of Cerro del Topo.

I have lived in the city of mountains every day since I was born. My love for life and this territory led me to meet incredible people who share the same appreciation. That is how the Hormigas del Topo collective was founded. We dedicate our love for the mountains to defending their territory and supporting their children through knowledge.

Cerro del Topo chico resguardando al Cerro de las Mitras/ Cerro del Topo Chico sheltering Cerro de las Mitras
Fotografía/Photography: Iris Ruiz

Cerro del Topo is one of the mountains with the lowest elevation in Monterrey. It is an area isolated by urban growth that encapsulates nature and is shared by two municipalities on different sides of the mountain. Due to its location and orientation, both sides display markedly different hues, while the submontane shrubland constitutes its primary ecosystem.

Actividad de memoria colectiva con vecinos y comunidad/ Collective memory activity with neighbors and the community
Fotografía/Photography: Hormigas del Topo

Among lechuguillas, sotols, prickly pears, and cenizos, we have shared learning experiences with children in what we know as “El Ranchito.” It is a space that hikers and the community have taken care of and helped shape; a gathering place where we need nothing more than logs and stones to experience the mountain. Most of the collective’s activities have taken place here: watercolor workshops accompanied by knowledge about our mountains, workshops on the flora and fauna of Cerro del Topo, birdwatching outings, geology workshops, and collective mural-making.

El Ranchito is a gathering place in Cerro del Topo, collectively built and cared for by hikers and the local community.

Exposición botánica del Cerro del Topo Chico/ Botanical exhibition of Cerro del Topo Chico
Fotografía/Photography: Iris Ruiz

We have collaborated with incredible people on a number of activities that have helped promote the collective memory of Cerro del Topo. Through its history and shared memories, we seek to document how the community feels connected to and identifies with the mountain. In addition, these initiatives have contributed to promoting responsible hiking.

Caminata nocturna con Hormigas del Topo/ Night walk with Hormigas del Topo
Fotografía/Photography: Hormigas del Topo

Garganta del diablo, Cerro del Topo/ Devil’s Gorge, Cerro del Topo
Fotografía/Photography: Iris Ruiz

Cerro del Topo is a mountain that attracts hikers to different areas, such as the previously mentioned El Ranchito, the summit itself, and a system of caves, some of which are the result of mining activity for the extraction of Monterrey Black Marble. Thanks to this steady flow of visitors and the records they generate, the presence of some native species, such as the Northern cacomistle, has been monitored.

The defense of the territory begins with knowledge.

Integrantes del colectivo Hormigas del Topo/ Members of the Hormigas del Topo collective
Fotografía/Photography: Hormigas del Topo

Bio of the Author:

I am an architect practicing in landscape architecture. I have participated in social regeneration projects such as the Colibrí Naturalistic Garden, and most recently we took part in FYJA with My Grandmother’s Garden. In addition, I am a member of the Hormigas del Topo collective, where I create artistic botanical records. @matorral.lab