Mountain Climbing and Mexico's Highest Mountains

Mexico offers mountain climbers tempting peaks to explore and where to contemplate the country’s beautiful valleys. The infrastructure of some of these peaks provides lodging. Mexico has a series of perfect destinations where to practice mountain climbing, with mountains that seduce thousands of brave athletes in search of crowning their peaks. Here are some of Mexico’s highest mountains where you can live fascinating adventures.

Pico de Orizaba or Citlaltépetl is Mexico’s highest peak and the third highest in North America rising 5,747 meters above sea level, for which its peak is covered with snow throughout the year. Its last volcanic activity occurred in 1687.

Popocatépetl is Mexico’s second highest mountain, rising 5,452 meters above sea level, it is located in the States of Morelos, Puebla and Mexico. Its name in Nahuatl means ‘smoking mountain’, due to its constant volcanic activity since Prehispanic times. The last violent eruption of this volcano happened in the year 2000, prompting the evacuation of thousands from the areas near the volcano. On December 25, 2005 it produced a new explosion with a smoke and ash column three kilometers high and lava expulsion.

Iztaccíhuatl in Nahuatl means white woman and it is the third highest mountain in Mexico, rising 5,222 meters above sea level, it is located in the States of Puebla and Mexico. Its peak is permanently covered with snow and its sides by pine forests. When viewed from Mexico City, the mountain resembles a resting female figure, for which it is commonly referred to as ‘the sleeping woman’.

The Teyotl volcano in Pueblo rises 4,660 meters above sea level. It is the oldest part of Iztaccihuatl and its name means ‘where stones are born’.

The Nevado de Toluca or Xinantécatl is the fourth tallest volcano in the country, rising 4,558 meters above sea level, located near the city of Toluca. The majestic beauty of this extinct volcano hosts a crater with two beautiful turquoise lagoons, the Sun and the Moon, where remains of Prehispanic ceremonies have been found.

Malinche or Malintzin is an inactive volcano rising 4,503 meters above sea level. The former Tlaxcaltecas named this mountain Matlacuétil, wife of god Tláloc, but during the Conquest it was renamed in honor of the woman who helped the Spaniards as interpreter. It is located within Malintzin National Park, on the south of Tlaxcala State and it is the fifth largest park in the country. Its peak is covered in snow and has no vegetation but on its sides there are forests and beautiful water springs of fresh and thermal waters.

Nevado de Colima is a volcano located in the State of Jalisco, rising 4,340 meters above sea level and doesn’t have any volcanic activity. Its last eruption occurred 2.5 million years ago and its peak shows severe glacial erosion. It is a National Park since 1936, also protecting the neighboring Volcán de Fuego, the most active volcano in Mexico.

Cofre de Perote or Nauhcampatépetl, meaning ‘mountain with four sides’ rises 4,250 meters above sea level and it is located in the State of Veracruz, 50 Km. from Xalapa. It is one of the most visited natural areas in the state.

Artículo Producido por el Equipo Editorial Explorando México.
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