Hiking – Mexico City

At 2,240 metres, hikes here are tougher than they look, so drink plenty of water and start slowly. Options range from city parks to volcano trails within two hours.

Map

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Places

  1. Cerro del Tepozteco

    Outside the city – about 1.5 hours

    A steep stone-stepped trail in Tepoztlán leading to a small pyramid on the cliff top.

    Category
    Trail
    Duration
    4 h
    Price
    $
    Best time
    Early morning
    Distance
    5 km
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Time
    2.5 h
    Starting point
    Tepoztlán town, Tepozteco trailhead
    Elevation gain
    400 m

    Tip: Weekends are busy; start at dawn.

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  2. Bosque de Chapultepec

    A long park walk in the city centre past lakes, monuments and tree-lined paths.

    Category
    Park
    Duration
    2 h
    Price
    Free
    Best time
    Early morning
    Distance
    5 km
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Time
    1.5 h
    Starting point
    Chapultepec Metro station entrance
    Elevation gain
    60 m

    Tip: Main avenues are car-free on Sunday mornings.

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  3. Desierto de los Leones

    Outside the city – about 1 hours

    A national park of misty forest with a former Carmelite convent.

    Category
    Forest
    Duration
    4 h
    Price
    $
    Best time
    November-April (dry season)
    Distance
    7 km
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Time
    3 h
    Starting point
    Ex-Convent entrance
    Elevation gain
    350 m

    Tip: Go on weekdays; weekends are crowded.

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  4. Nevado de Toluca

    Outside the city – about 1.75 hours

    A trail into the extinct volcano's crater to the Sun and Moon lakes.

    Category
    Lake
    Duration
    6 h
    Price
    $
    Best time
    November-April (dry season)
    Distance
    6 km
    Difficulty
    Hard
    Time
    3.5 h
    Starting point
    Nevado de Toluca crater entrance
    Elevation gain
    300 m

    Tip: Snow is possible in winter; check the weather.

    ⚠️ Hard route: sturdy footwear, enough water, proper equipment and hiking experience are required. Check the weather first.

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  5. Paso de Cortés – La Joya

    Outside the city – about 2 hours

    The pass between Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl with high-altitude trails.

    Category
    Mountain
    Duration
    6 h
    Price
    $
    Best time
    November-April (dry season)
    Distance
    8 km
    Difficulty
    Hard
    Time
    4.5 h
    Starting point
    Paso de Cortés visitor area
    Elevation gain
    600 m

    Tip: Bring warm clothing; it is above 3,600 metres.

    ⚠️ Hard route: sturdy footwear, enough water, proper equipment and hiking experience are required. Check the weather first.

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  6. Los Dinamos

    Outside the city – about 0.75 hours

    A river-side pine forest trail in Magdalena Contreras.

    Category
    Forest
    Duration
    4 h
    Price
    Free
    Best time
    Early morning
    Distance
    8 km
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Time
    3.5 h
    Starting point
    Los Dinamos park entrance
    Elevation gain
    450 m

    Tip: Arrive early on weekends.

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  7. Pico del Águila (Ajusco)

    Outside the city – about 1.25 hours

    A demanding climb to a summit on Ajusco with views of the city and volcanoes.

    Category
    Mountain
    Duration
    6 h
    Price
    Free
    Best time
    November-April (dry season)
    Distance
    10 km
    Difficulty
    Hard
    Time
    5.5 h
    Starting point
    Cumbres del Ajusco Park entrance
    Elevation gain
    900 m

    Tip: Start early; clouds build by afternoon.

    ⚠️ Hard route: sturdy footwear, enough water, proper equipment and hiking experience are required. Check the weather first.

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  8. Bosque de Tlalpan

    A southern city forest with gentle walks among pine and oak trees.

    Category
    Forest
    Duration
    2.5 h
    Price
    Free
    Best time
    Early morning
    Distance
    4 km
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Time
    1.5 h
    Starting point
    Bosque de Tlalpan main entrance
    Elevation gain
    90 m

    Tip: It gets busier on weekends.

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  9. Cerro de la Estrella

    A short climb up the Iztapalapa hill where the Aztec New Fire ceremony was held.

    Category
    Trail
    Duration
    2.5 h
    Price
    Free
    Best time
    Early morning
    Distance
    3 km
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Time
    1.5 h
    Starting point
    Cerro de la Estrella National Park entrance
    Elevation gain
    150 m

    Tip: Weekday mornings are calmer and safer.

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