Hiking Trails in Mexico

Hiking may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re planning a vacation to Mexico, but these trails will have you dreaming of dramatic volcanoes, valleys, and forests full of life.

The diverse landscapes of central Mexico offer hikers accessible and safe trails, unspoiled camping sites, and the chance to appreciate native flora and fauna. A little Spanish and a willingness to ask for directions will make finding trailheads a whole lot easier in some places. Alternatively, engaging the services of a local guide may be a worthwhile investment.

Typically, the mountains on this list are situated at relatively high altitudes; therefore, make sure to give yourself time to acclimatize before lacing up your hiking boots if you’re unaccustomed to thinner air.

Paso de Cortés

Despite Mexico’s intimidating Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl rising up on either side, hiking the Paso de Cortés is surprisingly doable as a day trip from Mexico City. More importantly, it offers some of the best volcano-watching in the country. According to legend, it was here that Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes first spotted the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan as he advanced inland from Veracruz. In the half-century since, this grassy mountain pass hasn’t lost any of its beauty.

There is bus service from TAPO station in the city to the town of Amecameca (about an hour’s drive without traffic) where you’ll then need to grab a taxi for the half-hour ride to the Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl National Park entrance at Paso de Cortés. Alternatively, renting a car or joining a guided tour is also advisable.

From the park entrance, the round trip hike covers 12.5 miles and can take 6 to 8 hours to complete, depending on your pace and ability to resist the hundreds of photo opportunities. A shorter hike is also possible from La Joya, a little further up the mountain. The Itza-Popo National Park entrance fee is around two dollars. Camping is available at a small additional cost and is highly recommended if you’ve got the time.

Experienced hikers up for a challenge may be interested in tackling the sleeping lady, Iztaccíhuatl, which peaks at over 17,000 feet. We strongly suggest hiring a guide if you’re unfamiliar with the route, as the full ascent includes crossing a glacier.

Cumbres del Ajusco

If you’ve got a spare day and need an escape from central Mexico City, Ajusco is your best bet for relaxed hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, and climbing. Considering its proximity to the metropolis, Ajusco is remarkably wild, offering plenty of trails with panoramic vistas of the city and the volcanoes of the surrounding valley.

The quickest way to get to Ajusco from the city center is by car (a taxi or Uber won’t break the bank). The route can be complicated if you’re unfamiliar with the area, but it should only take about an hour depending on traffic. However, there is also local bus service to the nearby town of San Miguel Ajusco.

Most visitors choose to tackle the Cerro Ajusco hike (a 13,000-foot-high lava dome volcano), starting from a trailhead near Cabaña Vicky restaurant on the main Circuito Ajusco road. The five-hour return walk will be easily manageable for active hikers, first crossing El Pico del Aguila before reaching the main peak of La Cruz de Marquesa.

Pro tip: Since this is still Mexico City, get started early to avoid the smog ruining your view.

Nevado de Colima

Rising to almost 14,000 feet near the border of the states of Jalisco and Colima, El Nevado de Colima, also known as Zapotepetl, is the seventh highest mountain in Mexico. The jagged, dramatic peak is surrounded by pine, fir, and oak forests, with grazing land around the base. Popular on weekends but quiet otherwise, Nevado is a secluded spot for camping and hiking.

The safest option is to rent a car suitable for off-roading and drive the three hours from Guadalajara to El Nevado. Park entry is just a couple of dollars, and although rangers are on duty, visitors will need to bring all necessary provisions, including water.

The main route to the summit is a marked, medium-intensity hike that doesn’t require any technical gear during the dry season, from November to April. The trailhead can be found near La Joya and makes for an adventurous 5.5-mile round trip (about 5 hours walking) through forest, sand, and some rock scrambling near the top.

On a clear morning, you might even spot the Pacific Ocean while enjoying front-row views of the neighboring Volcán de Fuego. Pitch a tent at La Joya for the night and you’ll hear the rustling of raccoons, squirrels, and the occasional appearance of ocelots, thanks to recent investment in the park’s regeneration.

Pro tip: Keep an eye on volcanic activity in the area, as the Volcán de Fuego is one of the most active in North America and occasionally prompts closures.

Sierra Gorda

The varied climate and terrain within the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve make it Mexico’s most environmentally diverse protected area and a rewarding destination for nature lovers. It extends over 150 square miles of rugged mountains and lush valleys in Queretaro and was originally inhabited by the Otomi, Pame, and Chichimeca peoples, many of whom still reside in the area today.

Jalpan de Serra, the city most travelers use as a base for visiting Sierra Gorda, is a 5.5-hour drive north of Mexico City or four hours northeast of Queretaro, easily reachable by bus. However, once you’re inside the reserve, a car comes in handy unless you’re on an organized tour.

The Puente de Dios is the reserve’s main attraction, reached via an hour-long walk (4 miles return trip) along the Escanela River to the limestone bridge that forms a cavernous waterfall. Enthusiastic hikers can cool off in the crystal-blue pools before tackling the strenuous hike up to the Peñá de la Gloria waterfall. Don’t hesitate to get your feet wet!

Pro tip: The five Franciscan missions of Sierra Gorda, constructed in the mid-18th century, are also worth visiting. They were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003 due to their intricately-decorated façades and interiors that combine indigenous symbolism with traditional Catholic themes.

Paricutín

Yes, another volcano. After erupting from a cornfield in the Purépecha lands of Michoacán in 1943, Paricutín holds the distinction of being the youngest volcano in the Americas. It’s a 3.5-hour drive from Morelia, the state capital, to the town of Angahuan, so you might prefer to spend the night in one of the cabañas there or in San Juan Nuevo Parangaricutiro, also nearby. For public transport, catch a bus to Uruapan and then a local collectivo to Angahuan. Group day tours are available from Morelia.

Once you arrive in Angahuan, it’s an hour’s walk or a shorter horseback ride to the main attraction, the old town of San Juan Parangaricutiro, where the church stands in what is now an otherworldly lava field. Independent visitors can explore all or part of the 13-mile loop trail around the base of the volcano. However, if you’re seeking a more strenuous option, a guide is required to reach the top of the cinder cone, which can be arranged at the tourist center in Angahuan.

Make sure to confirm with your guide whether you’ll be taking the longer route or the shorter route, measuring 7.5 or 4.5 miles one way, respectively, through the pine forest and lava rocks. If horseback riding is preferable, you’ll need to take the longer trip, as the horses aren’t able to cross the lava field. The last scramble to the top must be completed on foot, but peeking inside the dormant volcano is definitely worth the effort.

Pro tip: Don’t underestimate the basic appearance of the small restaurants on the edge of the lava field – their blue-corn quesadillas and tacos are considered some of the best around.