Nevado de Toluca Summit Out and Back

Dogs Off-leash

Features Lake · Views

Though strenuous, this route is one of the most rewarding hikes in the area! The terrain is incredibly steep, but you'll be rewarded with spectacular views throughout.

After you drive to Toluca you have to take directions to the Nevado de Toluca National Park. Once you get the park, you have to pay a small fee to enter the park and after a few miles of driving you arrive at a parking lot where the trailhead is located.

There you start climbing to the Paso del Quetzal where you get the first view of the Lago del Sol to your right, and the smaller Lago de la Luna to your left. After you descend a little you get to the lake's shore where you go around until you get to a trail formed by where water comes naturally down the mountain into the crater. It is not super visible, but if you pay attention, you'll definitely see it.

Once you hike all the way up, you'll get to the edge of the crater, and you'll have to go left over some rocks that can be tricky to navigate, especially in damp conditions. Once you've made your way from there, you'll get to the summit.

The trail on the way up is mainly volcanic sand and can be tiring on the way up but it is a lot of fun on the way down!

Very little in the way of fauna or flora can be seen in this volcanic basin.