Colima is Mexico's second-smallest state, a compact Pacific coast territory dominated by the twin volcanic peaks of Volcán de Fuego and Nevado de Colima. It pairs the whitewashed Pueblo Mágico of Comala with the resort and cargo port city of Manzanillo, self-styled the Sailfish Capital of the World, plus black-sand beaches, lime orchards around Tecomán, and a low-key colonial capital in Colima City.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Nevado de Colima Summit Trail via La Joya
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2
El Terrero to San Antonio Base Camp Trail
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3
La Yerbabuena Volcan de Fuego Viewpoint Trail
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4
Los Amiales Waterfall Trail
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5
Laguna La Maria Loop Trail
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6
Cerro de Garcia Trail
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7
Suchitlan Forest Trail
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8
Laguna de Cuyutlan Shoreline Birdwatching Trail
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9
Laguna de Alcuzahue Wetland Trail
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10
Cascada El Salto de Nogal Trail
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
When to hike
Seasonal conditions in Colima.
- Overview
- Colima's terrain ranges from the near-4,260m summit of Nevado de Colima to sea-level coastal wetlands near Cuyutlan, so conditions vary sharply between the cool volcanic highlands and the hot, humid Pacific lowlands.
- Items
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Hazard: Active volcanic hazard from Volcan de Fuego de Colima, which periodically erupts with ashfall and pyroclastic activity; approach only from designated safe viewpoints and heed official CENAPRED alerts
Hazard: High-altitude cold and thin air on the Nevado de Colima summit trail, where nighttime and dawn temperatures can drop below freezing even in the dry season
Hazard: Sudden afternoon thunderstorms during the July-September rainy season can flood barrancas near Suchitlan and the Comala foothill trails
Hazard: Intense heat and humidity on the coastal lowland trails near Cuyutlan and Alcuzahue, especially April to June
Hazard: Loose volcanic scree and unmarked sections on the El Terrero and Cerro de Garcia routes, where a local guide is recommended
Hazard: Mosquitoes and other insects near the wetlands of Laguna de Cuyutlan and Alcuzahue, particularly after rains