Whether you are a beginner or an expert in hiking, this sporting activity is now more than ever in trend, and who doesn’t need a mental reset from time to time? Here we tell you where you can go hiking near the CDMX and connect with nature.
Hiking is basically walking in the forest, breathing cleaner air and enjoying the Verde landscape that Mother Nature gives you.
The best thing is You can practice it on a weekend, on a long weekend, on vacation or whenever you want. Here are several places you can visit just for the day or if you want to stay longer, take note!
– Desierto de los Leones
Desierto de los Leones National Park is located only 40 minutes away from Mexico City, and has an area of more than 1,500 hectares.
Here you will find the ex-convent of the same name, a small river that surrounds the forest and 51 hiking trails that you can walk, run, ride with your furry friend or mountain bike.
– Ajusco
One hour and 20 minutes from downtown Mexico City you will find one of the most famous forests in the southern zone; the Cumbres del Ajusco National Park,
This natural area has 9.2 thousand kilometers of forest where, in addition to hiking, you can do many other activities such as gotcha, mountaineering, motocross, ATVs, mountain biking or have breakfast at one of the many restaurants in the area restaurants in Ajusco.
You will find 9 hiking trails, but the most famous is the one of the Eagle Peak which takes you to the highest point of the Ajusco, at more than 3,900 meters above sea level.
– Iztaccihuatl
Iztaccihuatl is a dormant volcano and the third highest peak in Mexico. A beautiful legend tells that she was the beloved of the warrior Popocatepetl, and that she died tragically. The pre-Hispanic gods took pity on the lovers, and transformed them into the volcanoes that today stand side by side in the mountain range between Mexico City and Puebla.
A hike for the most advanced hikers. Although climbing to the top of this mountain is not easy, it is a challenge that can be experienced always accompanied by a good guide.
It will take you approximately 9 hours to climb to the top, so it is recommended that you prepare a little and do some exercise or physical activity at least a few weeks before making this effort.
In addition, takes into account that to climb you will need good boots, a pair of pants and special clothing for the mountain, hiking poles, a small backpack with supplies such as water, snacks, an energy drink, sunglasses, a cap, sunscreen, crampons, helmet and ice axe and pills for headaches due to the change in altitude.
– Tlalpan Forest
One of the favorite places of any runner. The Tlalpan Forest is located less than 30 minutes from Mexico City and although this forest is smaller than those mentioned above, it has 252 hectares that you can enjoy.
The area has been considered a protected zone since 1997 and is perfect for hiking, as it has an 8.7 kilometer route that you can walk, run or mountain bike.
– Nevado de Toluca
Nevado de Toluca National Park is located southwest of the city of Toluca, State of Mexico. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including numerous mountain biking, hiking, ATV and horseback riding trails. Cross-country and alpine skiing can be practiced when weather conditions are suitable.
The park is popular with athletes training for major competitions such as the Olympics because of the altitude. Permission to dive in the lakes must be obtained from the Mexican state parks agency. There are also picnic and camping areas and 18 archeological sites registered in the park.
– Los Dinamos
Los Dinamos National Park, located in the Magdalena Contreras district, is 35 minutes from Mexico City. It has 2,429 hectares of forest and is considered a protected natural area.
26 kilometers are destined for its visitors to practice hiking, but you can also practice other activities such as mountain biking or simply run among the thousands of trees that make up the forest of Los Dinamos.
– Ejidal Park San Nicolas Totolapan
44 minutes from downtown Mexico City is the San Nicolas Totolapan Ejidal Park, also located between the Magdalena Contreras and Tlalpan municipalities, with 2,300 hectares of temperate forest.
This park has 12 routes and is highly recommended for beginners, since the routes range from 131 to 1,148 meters of elevation gain.
Camping, zip-lining, rock climbing, circuits with different levels of difficulty for mountain biking and long walks are also allowed in this place.
It is also a place for recreation where you can practice cycling, eat trout, ride horses, go to a didactic farm and see ponies, goats, sheep, chickens, cows and breeding animals. Even they have a deer farm where you will be able to see approximately 40 specimens of these animals.
– Iturbide Dam
A turquoise body of water surrounded by a forest worthy of admiration. In addition to hiking you can fish or even camp.
This place is located just over an hour from CDMX and is ideal for a day trip. Although if you are up for it, you can spend the night there and enjoy the warmth of the campfire.
We recommend that you bring warm clothes if you plan to stay beyond midday, as the temperature will drop considerably.
– Mineral del Chico
One of the favorite attractions for hikers, here you can go hiking in the pine and oak forests surrounding the El Cedral dam.
There are also other activities in the Zone such as zip-lining and boat rides if you take the whole family. At the end of the tour you can recharge your batteries in one of the nearby restaurants with typical food of the region.
Distance: 2:10 hours
– Tepozteco
Although it is a very steep peak, its impact on novice hikers is not serious, as its altitude is not so steep. It has several routes for all levels but in most of them there is an incentive in addition to the walk: when you reach the highest part you can visit the pyramid Casa del Tepozteco.
It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to get there and about the same amount of time on the way back. At the end of the tour, relax with a refreshing drink in one of the terraces of the restaurants in the town of Tepoztlán.
– Tulimán Waterfalls
A tour with spectacular waterfalls of between 200 and 300 meters that will take your breath away. The routes cross a large pine forest, a suspension bridge and the Quetzalapan River.
At several points along the routes there are food stores and in addition to hiking, it is possible to do other ecotourism activities such as rappel, archery or go on the zip line circuit. If you wish, you can stay and camp and enjoy the starry night.
– Piedras Encimadas Valley
A route formed by small valleys and wooded hills in the middle of which stand curious formations of eroded limestone that give the impression of being huge pebbles piled on top of each other.
The tour becomes enjoyable when you start to let your imagination run wild and discover the figures that form the Suite of rocks, such as dragons, ducks, horses, among others.