I hiked throughout Mexico, from volcanic summits to canyon viewpoints and cloud forests—yes, Mexico has all of these things! There’s so much more hiking in this country than people realize.
Which means I can confidently tell you the top 10 best hikes in Mexico. These aren’t based on popularity or whatever pops up first when you Google where to go. Nope, I’ve personally done all of these hikes, and I know firsthand whether or not they’re actually worth your time.
Read more from my Mexico travel blog.
I’ve sorted them by difficulty, length, uniqueness, and a bunch of other bonus factors, too. Vamonos, let’s get hiking in Mexico!
If this is your first glimpse of Chiapas, trust me—the best is yet to come
You might also be interested in reading:
Cascada El Chiflón—one of the easier hikes
|
Hike |
Region |
Distance |
Difficulty |
Why it’s worth it |
|
Izta Popo: Paso de Cortés |
Central Mexico |
15.3km |
Easy |
Basically, an easy-peasy shortcut to volcano views. |
|
Izta Popo: Iztaccíhuatl |
Central Mexico |
13.4km |
Very hard |
An epic, guided hike ON TOP of a volcano (dormant, of course). |
|
Canyon Sumidero |
Chiapas |
Depends |
Varies |
Perfect for hikers of any level since you can choose exactly what you want to do. |
|
La Ruta de los Cenotes |
Yucatan |
37km |
Easy |
Cenotes, or ‘ceilingless caves,’ are peaceful or adventurous, take your pick. |
|
Desierto de los Leones National Park |
Mexico City |
15.3km |
Moderate |
A slower-paced, relaxing hike. Like meditation in hike form. |
|
El Chiflón |
Chiapas |
5.3 km |
Easy |
Five waterfalls in a row, plus swimming and ziplining over a crystal clear river. |
|
Malinche |
Mexico City |
12km |
Hard |
The only hike here where I was able to see Mexico’s tallest mountain. |
|
Tepozteco |
Central Mexico |
3km |
Moderate |
An Aztec temple is your reward for finishing this hike. |
|
El Aguacero |
Chiapas |
7km |
Easy |
A chill, relaxing time where I got to bathe in the warm river along the way. |
|
Boca de Tomatlán |
West coast |
17.2km |
Moderate |
I felt like I was observing the ‘real’ rural areas of Mexico on this hike. |
And the winners of the greatest hiking trails in Mexico are (drumroll, please!):
I used my own 5-point criteria system when ranking these Mexico hiking trails:
Check out the view from the Paso de Cortés
Practical information:
The Izta Popo: Paso de Cortés hike is the easiest way to see volcanoes in Mexico. Granted, they’re from a distance, but do you wanna get up close to an eruption? I didn’t think so. And when I say ‘volcano,’ I’m talking about the famously dangerous one with the unpronounceable name: Popocatépetl.
And don’t worry, the Paso de Cortés hike is one of the easier trails in Izta Popo National Park. It will lead you on a wide, flat road with spectacular sights of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, Mexico’s second- and third-highest peaks, in the distance. This trail is kind of like a cheat code to epic volcano views.
The starting point of the trail is the Paso de Cortés parking lot. From there, the path leads to La Joya on the foothills of Iztaccíhuatl, and then the same way back. The odds of seeing a little eruption of Popocatépetl from a distance are pretty good. Maybe you’ll manage to capture it on camera, but I didn’t.
Paso de Cortés is one of the easiest places to get a close-up view of Popocatépetl without a serious hike
It’s best to organize the hike as a day trip from Mexico City. You can easily get there by car (check my instructions on driving in Mexico), and conveniently park in the parking lot called Paso de Cortés. The admission fee to the national park is MXN 125 (USD 7) per person.
Iztaccíhuatl covered in fog
Iztaccíhuatl is a 5,230-meter (17,160 feet) tall dormant volcano in Izta Popo National Park. Those bare, steep, rocky slopes, sometimes covered in snow, are hard terrain to climb. That’s why the hike is recommended only for very experienced adventurers, ideally with a guide. My feet are aching thinking about it. Would I do it again, though? Hell freaking yes.
It starts in the La Joyita parking lot super early in the morning. Don't expect to sleep in, even on weekends. And make sure to bring some food, you'll be hiking with your group throughout the entire afternoon.
Then it goes up the hill with absolutely merciless elevation gain. Everything in front of me was up, up, up. Until we reached the peak, that is, obviously. After that, we just went back down the same way. The sigh of relief I breathed...
This is one of the best hikes in Mexico because it’s one of those unforgettable ones. I mean, you don’t just climb an entire volcano and never think about it again.
The Izta Popo National Park is located only an hour's drive from Mexico City; that’s why the hike makes for a perfect day trip from the capital. The parking lot called La Joyita stands just under the mountain, and the admission to the park costs MXN 125 (USD 7) per person. Don’t forget to pack enough water and snacks, as the hike is really challenging and took me about six hours.
Cozy rooms, a great swimming pool, and a fabulous breakfast! @ Banyan Tree Hotel
Hotel tip: I’d recommend staying at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Puebla. It’s in a great location close to all the architectural gems mentioned above.
Canyon Sumidero
Canyon Sumidero is the most beautiful place in Mexico, with its 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) tall walls rising above the Grijalva River and leading it to the Chicoasén Dam. The hikes go along the river, but the fact is, I can’t fit them into any category: easy, moderate, or hard. It depends on what you want to do.
There are full-day hikes with guides, including rock-climbing and canyoning, as well as short walks along the river. All you need to do is arrive on the spot, find a tourist center, and discuss the options for different areas. Or book your tour online, for example at Lokaltravel or Explore-Share.
Personally, we opted for some of the easier trails to save energy for the tougher Mexico hiking trails later in our itinerary. But we still got to see plenty of waterfalls, rapids, caves, and rock formations, and diverse vegetation like palms, orchids, and cactuses. Endangered wildlife live in the park—such as crocodiles or jaguars—but no viewings were in the cards for us, oh well.
The cliffs of Sumidero Canyon rise up to 1,000 meters above the river (on the left: the "Christmas Tree" waterfall)
Personal tip: Book a boat trip through Sumidero Canyon to experience its towering cliffs from the water.
Sumidero Canyon lies in Chiapas, Mexico. There are plenty of ways to get there—you can drive from Tuxtla Gutiérrez or from San Cristóbal de las Casas, or you can take a bus to Chiapa de Corzo and explore the canyon from there.
The admission fee to the national park is MXN 125 (USD 7), but the price of the hike depends on the tour you choose.
Pro tip: It’s good to know that the bathrooms are paid for; it’s therefore necessary to have some coins with you. Unless you want to powder your nose next to a jaguar.
La Ruta de los Cenotes
La Ruta de los Cenotes is one of the best hikes in Mexico for enjoying the phenomenon typical for Yucatan—cenotes, natural sinkholes filled with water, which I can best describe as “underground caves without ceilings.”
This hike is a 37-kilometer (23-mile) long paved road connecting several cenotes. You don’t need to walk the whole distance, just explore as many sinkholes as you want and then turn back. While you're in Yucatan, you should also check out its top 9 places to see.
Some of the cenotes were impressive just because of their crystal-clear water and pure silence. Others? They’re basically mini adventure parks with zip lines and swimming activities. Yeah, I indulged in both. I’m a kid at heart.
You’ll find the hike on the Yucatan Peninsula near Cancún; the road leads from Puerto Morelos to Leona Vicario. Some of the cenotes have bathrooms and changing rooms. The admission fee varies in different cenotes; you can expect a sum of around 300 pesos (15 US dollars). And bring cash. A lot of them don’t take cards.
Hotel Casona 61 by GuruHotel—a great place in the center of Mérida (no, not in Cancun, because I don't like to stay there)
Hotel Casona 61 is my kind of hotel—rooms and interior of modern design, great pool, and delicious breakfast. The only problem was complicated parking. Apart from that, I was happy with everything. (I don’t like staying in Cancun itself, but I did spend a few nights in Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun, and it was fine. Would stay again if I had to stay in the city.)
Ex Convento del Desierto de los Leones
This is a loop that goes through the dense forest trails in Desierto de los Leones National Park—the Desert of the Lions in translation. It’s a nice day trip if you want to escape the rush of Mexico City and enjoy trees, rivers, and views from the hilltops instead of cars, shops, and museums.
The fresh air here is much better than in the heart of Mexico City, and you definitely don't need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy these views.
I would recommend going during the dry season, though the rainy season means one word: mud. Which would be extra annoying because of all the mountain bikers zipping past. You don’t want those wheels splashing up mud onto your pants. I was also surprised by the treat at the end: an old convent, which was kind of creepy looking, to be totally honest. But hey, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe you’re into creepy old ex-convents. For me...shivers.
It might be a bit harder to find the trail—it starts at a tiny parking lot in the southernmost point of the road connecting Santa Rosa Xochiac and La Venta, southwest of Mexico City. Right here:
This is where the trail starts
In case you don’t want to rely on tourist signs on the spot, you can find the whole trail on a tourist map made by Alltrails.
The convent is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tickets cost only MXN 19 (USD 1).
Me and El Chiflón Waterfall
El Chiflón is an easy, beautiful Mexico hiking trail along the river with a series of not one, not two, but five waterfalls in a row. Which means it definitely checks off my ‘personal experience’ box: I saw a lot in a little bit of time. I’m talking roaring waterfalls, crystal-clear pools, and a turquoise river.
The tallest fall in the cascades is Cascada Velo de Novia, roaring and pouring water down from a height of 80 meters (260 feet). But what’s even better than observing waterfalls? Bathing under them! In certain parts of the river, swimming is allowed, so I took a couple of refreshing dips. I even got to zipline over the river! El Chiflón is not a place to get bored.
Warning: Swimming in unsigned pools is dangerous; deadly currents occur under the water. Bathe only in the locations clearly designated for swimming. I’d recommend reading my other 33 Mexico travel tips to avoid any inconvenience.
I knew El Chiflón would be nice. I did not expect it to be this nice
The cascades are reachable by car from Comitán (a 45-minute drive) or San Cristóbal (a 2.5-hour drive). They are open daily from 7:30 to 5 PM, but the earlier you arrive, the better—as the day goes on, the place starts getting crowded. The entrance fee is MXN 50 (USD 2.5).
The final push on La Malinche is steep, dusty, and absolutely worth it for the views
La Malinche National Park is another one of the best hikes in Mexico. It’s named after its highest peak, La Malinche Volcano (4,462 meters—14,639 ft—above sea level). The trail offers stunning views of Popocatépetl and Pico de Orizaba, Mexico’s first- and second-highest mountains, and is used by mountaineers for high altitude acclimatization.
By the way, Pico de Orizaba is located in Veracruz State—I’ve been there too, and I’ve written a separate article about it.
The hike goes from Resort IMSS Malintzi on a wide, well-signed road in the forest. The harder part came after I got above the tree line; there's a pretty steep and rocky path there, and to add on, it was poorly signed. After you reach the summit, the trail goes the same way down.
The highlight was getting to see Pico de Orizaba, Mexico’s highest mountain, which I hadn’t been able to see on any other hike.
The Tepozteco hike is totally worth it!
Short but steep—that’s the hike to Tepozteco, the Aztec temple built on the peak of a hill just above the town of Tepoztlán. Treacherous tree roots and rocks block the path and make the trip rather challenging. It completely makes up for a gym—quoting myself from my 7 Best Aztec Ruins in Mexico article. Check it out!
The reward for hiking up to Tepozteco? Ancient ruins, mountain views, and a well-earned stop to catch your breath
The temple isn’t open at all times — you can visit it between 9 am and 3 pm from Wednesdays to Sundays. The admission fee is 105 Mexican pesos (6 US dollars). If you travel by car, don’t go straight to the beginning of the trail—the city is full of one-way streets, and it’s very hard to find a parking lot there. It’s much better to look around for a parking space in one of the private gardens that locals offer for parking (for around MXN 40 — USD 2 dollars) and walk to the start of the trail.
Me and El Aguacero
I think the best hikes in Mexico are those that offer more than walking—that’s why I enjoyed the hike to the El Aguacero waterfall so much. Apart from walking, you can spice up the trail by bathing in the river and admiring the spectacular waterfall, one of the nicest in Chiapas.
The trail starts in front of Centro Turístico El Aguacero, and goes up a narrow path through the jungle—hot, wet, and full of mosquitoes. But if you keep on and scramble up, you’ll get to a canyon and instantly fall in love—the river is warm, and the fall is photogenic. That’s all you need. Or at least all I needed.
The 700+ stairs down to Cascada El Aguacero are optional. The 700+ stairs back up are not
The hike is short, but you should reserve at least a five-hour-long window in your itinerary for it, if you want to spend some time bathing and admiring the waterfall. Before entering the trail, you have to pay the admission fee (50 pesos—2.5 US dollars) at the tourist center, which is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day.
Mariott Tuxtla Gutiérez Hotel: The most beautiful atrium I’ve ever seen!
Hotel tip for Tuxtla Gutiérrez: We enjoyed our stay at Mariott Tuxtla Gutiérrez Hotel. Great location, nice personnel, gym, pool, and tasty breakfast—what else could you wish for?
Prices start at 55 USD for 2 people.
Boca de Tomatlán
Emerald water, sun-splashed beaches, and palms. Believe it or not, this postcard-like view is real, and it’s why Boca de Tomlatán made it on my best hikes in Mexico list. This is a traditional fishing village on the western coast of Mexico, where I felt like I got to peek behind the curtain and experience true rural Mexico.
The village is a starting point of several trails—one of them heading to the Quimixto Waterfall and back. It’s a wonderful road off the beaten path, leading along little homesteads and several beaches. I got a little worn out during the hike, so we grabbed a water taxi for some 100 pesos (5 US dollars) per person. And bought a lemonade in one of the many bars along the way.
Boca de Tomatlán is where the road ends and the jungle-meets-ocean vibes begin
Boca de Tomatlán is a 40-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco. The easiest way to get there is by car. Don’t you know where to get it or how to drive in Mexico? Read my article with 16 things you need to know when driving in Mexico.
Not every great day in Mexico requires a hike. If you're looking for more ideas, don't miss my guide to the best places to visit in Mexico
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Hi, I’m Jan. I travel fast and intensely, whether I’m exploring the buzz of Tokyo in 3 days or road-tripping through mountains and beaches on a 3-week Thailand adventure. And no matter where I am, you’ll always find me in a comfortable hotel at night and eating the best food.
If that sounds like your kind of journey, hop on board, and let’s explore the world together!
I started this blog after realizing how tough it can be to find reliable, authentic travel info. You wouldn’t believe how many “travel bloggers” never even visit the places they write about! On Next Level of Travel, you can count on my full honesty and insights drawn from my firsthand experiences.
Here’s the deal: not every destination is all superlatives and unicorns. I’ll let you know if a tourist attraction isn’t worth your time, like skipping overrated stops in my 2-week Spain itinerary. And when I find something truly special—like the perfect mix of culture and nature in Cape Town—you can trust that it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
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