11 · Ciudad de México, Mexico

The Forest Beyond the City

Run beneath fir and pine through Mexico City's first protected landscape.

Trail runningForest runningLoopPENDIENTE
MEXICO CITY
MEXICO

Parque Nacional Desierto de los Leones

19° 19' N
99° 19' W
HarderSite gradeMexico CityNearest base

Site grade

HarderSuggested · Book difficulty: PENDIENTE

Close to the capital but high, wet and crossed by a dense network of paths.

The experience

The air cools beneath the trees, but elevation and wet volcanic ground make this more than a park jog.

The park was Mexico's first protected area, established in 1917.

The Ex Convento was built as a Carmelite retreat.

Where the sources disagreeCONANP identifies hiking and nature activities but does not publish one canonical running loop.

Trail path

The line
you follow.

StartEx Convento del Desierto de los LeonesFinishEx Convento del Desierto de los LeonesDirectionClockwise editorial loop; confirm the route locally
  1. 01Ex Convento
  2. 02forest access
  3. 03Cerro San Miguel sector
  4. 04fir forest
  5. 05Ex Convento

Route sections

01 · The Stone ThresholdEx Convento to forest edge
Leave the historic retreat for cool forest.02 · Oyamel ShadeForest edge to upper paths
Damp fir and pine paths change the footing.03 · The Quiet ClimbUpper paths to return corridor
A more demanding section whose exact runnable line remains open.04 · Back Through the GateReturn corridor to Ex Convento
Descend toward the historic complex.

Weather profile

What the sky
is likely to do.

Cool highland forest weather with mist, summer rain, slippery ground and cold mornings.

Season & timing

Managed seasonYear-round subject to park conditions and closuresBest windowDry-season mornings after checking current access.SurfaceForest trails, dirt roads and uneven volcanic groundDirectionClockwise editorial loop; confirm the route locally

Signature moments

What you will
remember afterwards.

01

Ex Convento stonework

02

Oyamel forest

03

Pine shade

04

Mountain silence

05

City distance

SINCE

1917

Mexico's first protected area

CONANP identifies Desierto de los Leones as the first protected area established in Mexico.

Access & logistics

AccessReach the park from western Mexico City and confirm entrance conditions.PermitsFollow current ANP access rules and fees.BookingsNo run booking identified; a local guide may help.WaterCarry all needed water.FoodCarry what you need.Mobile coverageVariable in forested sections.

Key hazards

  • ▲Mud and slippery roots
  • ▲Altitude and cold
  • ▲Unmarked junctions
  • ▲Lightning
  • ▲No dependable water documentation

SafetyOrientation only. Use current official access information.

Check official park information →Request this run →

Official sources

Last verified 2026-07-30 · Record CETC-RUN-011 · Orientation only. Always use current official maps, alerts and safety guidance.