Expedition
- Duration: 1 day
- Altitude: 3,754 meters (12,316 feet)
- Elevation gain: 660 meters (2,165 feet)
- Total distance: 16 kilometers (9,16 miles)
- Total time: 6 hours (ascent 3.5 hours, descent 2.5 hours)
- Terrain: easy
- Two hours of aerobic exercise per week
Description
In Mexico City's lush Desierto de los Leones, the highest point is the 3,754-meter Cerro de San Miguel.
The ascent takes between three and three and a half hours, through a beautiful forest, and the elevation gain is 660 meters. This hike is accessible to anyone in normal physical condition, and who performs an average of two hours of exercise per week. It is a technically simple mountain.
We drive towards Toluca, and take the Contadero exit, which takes us to the Cruz Blanca parking lot, where we leave the cars and start the hike.
From the top, where we will find a rustic chapel dedicated to San Miguel, we will enjoy a beautiful panorama of the capital, and the nearest volcanoes: Nevado de Toluca, Ajusco, Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl.
We usually make the descent by an alternative, wilder route, to avoid the mountain bike trails. In just over two hours we reach the starting point, and an hour later we arrive in downtown Mexico City.
Equipment list
- Dryfit underwear
Trekking boots or sports shoes and socks
- Warm pants and jacket (polartech type)
- Polartech-like pants and jacket
- Goretex or similar pants and jacket
- Bandana or Buff (optional)
- Helmet (provided by AdvenCulture)
- Crampons (provided by AdvenCulture if needed)
- Walking poles (can be rented from AdvenCulture)
- Sun glasses
- Sun & lip screen
- 2 liters of water
- Lightweight backpack (about 30 liters capacity)
- Your favorite snacks (for instance, sandwiches, chocolate, dried fruits, protein bars, cookies, etc)
English 
Spanish 
Portuguese 
French 
German 
Italian