To get to Real de Catorce, one must exit Federal Highway 57, drive down a cobblestone road for 11 miles, through quaint little villages with burros and chickens to watch for, winding up the side of the mountain on a narrow road and finally arriving at the Ogarrio Tunnel, dug into the side of the mountain. Awaiting your turn, as the tunnel is one way only, you drive through the dimly lit tunnel for 1.5 miles and viola - you are at Real de Catorce.

The Ogarrio Tunnel was opened in 1901. Originally a mining passage had been cut through the hard rock of the mountain to allow the rail cars carrying the silver ore to be transported to La Luz and beyond. Robert Irizar planned the project and the name of the tunnel was taken from the Ogarrio region of Spain. The tunnel cost in excess of one million pesos to construct. Still, people, horses, mules and burros had to cross over the mountain to arrive in Real de Catorce. Later the Ogarrio Tunnel was enlarged to allow a trolley line to connect Real de Catorce to the rest of the outside world.

Just inside the tunnel on the right, you will notice the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows or the Capilla de Nuestra Senora de los Delores, a tiny 12-foot long chapel that has been carved out of the solid rock to honor those who lost their lives working the mines and building the tunnel. Flowers sitting on the alter are lighted by the flicker of the candles and a single overhead light in the chapel.

Unfortunately, the Ogarrio Tunnel came too late to be of much use to the town in the early twentieth century, as it found itself struggling to stay alive. By 1910, the Mexican Revolution had reduced the population to just a few thousand Catorceños as the threat of violence caused the mass exodus of the mine owners and the closing of many of the larger mines. The trolley and tracks were removed, the cobblestone streets grew silent and the stone walls of the buildings began to weather in their neglect. Soon, the nopal cactus begin growing from the crevices in the walls.

Today, the tunnel continues to serve as the main entrance into Real de Catorce as thousands of tourists pass through the tunnel on the weekends. The city administration has started charging a fee of $2.00USD for those who wish to drive thought the tunnel. You can park outside and ride the bus through at no charge. If you do drive through the tunnel you can park on the other side of the tunnel for $2.00USD a day or $5.00USD for overnight.

The opening of the Ogarrio Tunnel, which connects the village with the rest of the world, is celebrated each year in grand occasion. The Ogarrio Tunnel Festival or Festival del Tunel Ogarrio, gives opportunity to the town residents to dress in costume of miners, Spanish noblemen and ladies with parasols. Others enjoy dressing as fortune hunters, saloon girls, and bandits.