Hiking Ajusco & Pico El Águila

This is the classic route to the two highest peaks in Mexico City. Situated at just under 4,000m elevation, Cerro Ajusco (also known as Cruz del Marqués) and Pico El Águila are true mountains which offer a challenge and scenery to match their loft altitude.

This relatively short out and back route has a considerable amount of climbing, inncluding some short sections of scrambling. However, it is well worth the effort to enjoy both the views of Mexico City and also the incredible surrounding volcanoes, including Popocatepetl and Nevado de Toluca.

If you prefer to do a long hike, you may be interested in our route beginning in Parque Ejidal de San Nicolas, which also climbs to both peaks.

Route Description

Start	Distance	Elevation Gain	Difficulty	Rating
Albergue Alpino Ajusco	6.8km	620m	Challenging	****

This hike begins from the car park next to the Albergue Alpino Ajusco. It can get very busy here at weekends, but there is usually more than enough parking. There are also several restaurants where you can get snacks and refreshments either before or after the hike.

Pico El Aguila from Ajusco

You will probably have to pay a small fee to enter the Cumbres de Ajusco National Park, and then begin the hike by crossing a rope bridge. On the other side, take a slight left and begin the climb up towards Pico El Águila. This is signed most of the way, and the trail is generally obvious and easy to follow.

The first kilometer is relatively straight forward, following dirt trails through the forest. As you emerge from the forest the gradient kicks up and the route becomes significantly more challenging.

Bridge to Cumbres de Ajusco National Park

From leaving the forest it is just over 1km to the first peak, but there is over 300m of elevation gain! The trail is a mixture of rock and dirt, but there is good grip and although it is physically challenging it offers no technical difficulties. This is, at least, until you reach a small peak 200m from the summit. This is a natural place to rest and admire the spectacular views of the city and surrounding volcanoes.

Steep Climbing

The last 200m or so to Pico El Águila is the most challenging part of the hike. It is mostly grade 2 scrambling, where you will have to use your hands at times. There are no precipitous drops immediately adjacent to the trail, but you have to take care on the jagged rocks not to lose your balance and injure an ankle.

Soon enough you will see a cross emerge, which marks the summit of Pico El Águila. Enjoy the spectacular views from here; with Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl dominating the skyline to the east, while Nevado de Toluca rises to the west.

Pico El Águila with Popocatepetl in the background

After admiring the views, continue heading south, past a sign which records the statistics of the climb. There is about 300m of quite steep descending before you reach a saddle in between the two peaks. Continue straight ahead here and climb up to Cerro Ajusco (Cruz del Marqués).

This is much less technical and physically demanding than the previous climb, so is well worth the effort. The top is marked by another cross (the Cruz de Marqués) and at 3,930m is officially the highest point in Mexico City (and the 11th highest point in all of Mexico).

Approaching Cerro Ajusco

The descent is the same way that you climbed. Retrace your steps down to the saddle between the two climbs, before the short and sharp ascent back up to Pico El Águila.

The next part of the descent is challenging as you cross the scrambling section and then 1km of steep downhill. There are a lot of rocks here to use so at times the trail can almost be treated like a series of steps.

Back in the forest

Once you are back in the forest, it is straightforward hiking down to the rope bridge and back to the start.

This short, but rewarding hike will undoubtedly leave you with a great appreciation for the remarkable geography of Mexico City and its surroundings.

View of Nevado de Toluca

How to Get To Ajusco

This hike is best reached by car. The Albergue Alpino Ajusco, where the route begins is not accessible by public transport. You can either take a car/taxi from Mexico City, or from San Miguel de Ajusco.

Bear in mind that there is very little cell phone signal in the vicinity of the National Park, so if you arrive by Uber or Taxi, it may not be easy to call one at the end of the hike. You can arrange pick up in advance, or try to hitch a lift down to San Miguel Ajusco.

Public Transport to San Miguel Ajusco

The number 41 bus goes to San Miguel Ajusco from Huipulco bus station, opposite the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Number 41 bus route

This will drop you in the Santo Tomas Ajusco from where you can take a taxi to the start of the hike.

If you wish to do a similar hike using only public transport, we recommend our alternative route starting in Parque Ejidal de San Nicolas.

Cumbres del Ajusco National Park

The Cumbres de Ajusco is the most iconic of Mexico's national parks as it contains the two highest peaks within the city limits. Pico El Águila (3,900m) and Cerro de Ajusco (3,937m) are the 11th and 13th highest peaks in Mexico. They are only a few hundred metres apart making it very easy to include both on a single hike.

The views from the national park are really spectacular. To the north, the vast connurbation of Mexico City extends out in front of you. On a clear day you get a fantastic perspective of the city, from the high rise blocks of Santa Fe in the west, through the center and to the lower sprawling suburbs in the east.

View of Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl

This is also the best view of the Valley of Mexico plateau, which used to be covered by the large Texcoco and Xochimilco lakes in pre-Hispanic times. To the east, there are clear views of Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl, while the flatter crater of Nevado de Toluca is visible to the west. Malcatepec stands prominently to the south, and on the horizon you can see many other volcanoes, giving you a real feel for this spectacular landscape.

Safety

In the past, the Ajusco mountains had quite a poor reputation in terms of safety. There were numerous accounts of hikers being robbed on the slopes of the climb, particularly close to the summit. It seems as though this situation has improved considerably in recent years, with greater efforts being made to police the park.

A new National Guard base was recently opened at the foot of the park and last time I visited, there were several National Guard on the trail towards the base of the park. I think that they are primarily policing illegal logging in the area, but they may also act as a deterrent towards any opportunistic criminals. Depending on how you feel about the security services in Mexico, you may find it reassuring or more concerning to run into heavily armed National Guards on a remote trail!

You have to scramble over rocks like this to reach the summit of Pico El Águila

In terms of the trails themselves, bear in mind that the routes here are more technical than in Mexico City's other National Parks. There is some scrambling to get to the summit of Pico El Águila. I did not wear a helmet or take poles with me as there are not so many loose rocks, but plenty of Mexico hikers do bring such safety equipment, so you should assess this risk accordingly.

The area is also inhabited by rattle snakes, which can come out to bathe on the rocks in the warm sunshine (sometimes on the trail). Parts of the trail are also overgrown and it is not always possible to see exactly where you are treading. It is worth having a plan of what to do in the very unlikely event you get bitten, as there is no cell phone reception in the mountains, and during the week you won't see too many other hikers either.

Nearby Routes