Nevado de Toluca

Introducing Nevado de Toluca

The long-extinct volcano Nevado de Toluca (also known as Xinantécatl), Mexico’s fourth tallest peak at 4690m, lies across the horizon south of Toluca. A road runs 48km up to its crater, which contains two lakes, El Sol and La Luna. The earlier you reach the summit, the better the chance of clear views. The summit area can be snowy from November to March, and is sometimes good for off-piste cross-country skiing, but Parque Nacional Nevado de Toluca is closed during the heaviest snowfalls.

From the park entrance, a road winds 3.5km up to the main gate at an area called Parque de los Venados (entrance per vehicle M$20; 8am-5pm, last entrance at 3pm). From there it’s a 17km drive along an unsurfaced road up to the crater. Six kilometers from the crater, there’s a gate, café and basic refugio (rustic shelter). From that point, the crater can also be reached by a 2km hike via Paso del Quetzal (fee M$2), a very scenic walking track. Dress warmly – it gets chilly up top.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009