Morelos Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   El Tepozteco Pyramid Trail

   Approximately 4km round trip from the trailhead at the end of Avenida Tepozteco to the hilltop pyramid2.5-4 hours round trip, including time at the summitmoderateApproximately 380-400m cumulative gain via a continuous staircase of stone, concrete, and metal steps

   A steep, entirely stepped climb from the center of Tepoztlán to the small temple of Tepoztēcatl perched on a narrow outcrop above the valley, with sweeping views over the pueblo mágico's tile rooftops and the jagged cliffs of the Sierra del Tepozteco.

2. 2

   Amatlán de Quetzalcóatl to Poza de Quetzalcóatl Loop

   Approximately 5.3km loop from the village through pine-oak forest to the Poza de Quetzalcóatl pool and back1.5-2 hourseasyModest, rolling gain through forest terrain, generally under 200m cumulative

   Starting in the small village said in local legend to be the birthplace of Quetzalcóatl, this loop follows a forest path south through the Chichinautzin protected area to the Poza de Quetzalcóatl, a natural rock pool fed by a mountain stream.

3. 3

   Circuito Cerros Chichinautzin, Huitzilac

   7.4km circular route through the Chichinautzin biological corridorApproximately 2 hoursmoderateModerate rolling gain through pine and fir forest at around 2,900-3,000m altitude

   A circular forest route through the Corredor Biológico Chichinautzin, a large protected reserve spanning northern Morelos, passing through dense pine and fir woodland known for its birdlife and volcanic terrain near the Mexico State border.

4. 4

   Lagunas de Zempoala Lakeside Trail

   6-7km network of trails circling and connecting the park's seven lakes2-3 hoursmoderateGentle, mostly flat terrain around the lakeshores, sitting at approximately 2,850m altitude

   A network of shoreline paths through pine forest connecting the seven lakes of Parque Nacional Lagunas de Zempoala, a high-altitude reserve on the Morelos-Mexico State border reachable from the Huitzilac entrance, with the main lake offering rowboat rentals and picnic areas.

5. 5

   Salto de San Antón Waterfall Trail

   Under 1km of walking paths and stairs around the viewing platforms30-45 minuteseasyMinor, limited to short stairways down to the viewpoints

   A short walk through the San Antón neighborhood on the western edge of Cuernavaca leads to viewing platforms overlooking the 36m Salto de San Antón waterfall, fed by a tributary of the Zempoala River as it drops into a barranca framed by tropical vegetation.

6. 6

   Cerro Tlatoani Pyramid Hike, Tlayacapan

   Approximately 3-4km round trip from the edge of town to the hilltop pyramid ruins1.5-2 hoursmoderateModerate climb up a rocky hillside path to the summit remains

   A rocky hillside climb from the edge of Tlayacapan, one of the pueblos of the Chichinautzin corridor known for its 16th-century Augustinian convent, up to the modest pre-Hispanic remains atop Cerro Tlatoani, with views over the town and surrounding barrancas.

7. 7

   Las Estacas Riverside Forest Trail

   2-3km of flat riverside paths within the eco-park groundsAbout 1 houreasyFlat, negligible gain, following the riverbank through lowland forest

   Shaded footpaths follow the banks of the spring-fed Las Estacas River through lowland forest inside the Las Estacas Natural Reserve, with the turquoise, constant-temperature water visible for most of the walk between the park's swimming and tubing areas.

8. 8

   Momo - Barranca Tepanate Loop, Tlayacapan

   Approximately 5.9km loop1.5 hourseasyEasy, gently rolling terrain along the barranca edge

   An easy loop skirting the Barranca Tepanate on the edge of Tlayacapan, passing through agricultural land and dry forest typical of the Chichinautzin corridor's lower foothills, with occasional views down into the ravine.

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Morelos.

Overview

Morelos ranges from the cool, high-altitude pine forests around Huitzilac and Tepoztlán's Sierra del Tepozteco, both above 2,000m, down to the warm, low-lying river valley around Tlaltizapán and Las Estacas, so hiking conditions vary from cold mountain mornings to warm, humid lowland walks within the same small state.

Items

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.