15 · Estado de México / Puebla, Mexico

The Volcano Saddle

Run the high saddle between Mexico's two great volcanoes.

Trail runningMountain runningPoint to pointPENDIENTE
7 kmDistanceHardSite gradeAmecamecaNearest base

Site grade

HardSuggested · Book difficulty: PENDIENTE

Altitude, weather, exposed ground, access controls and limited services make this a serious mountain outing.

The experience

The route rises into cold exposed terrain where breathing, weather and timing matter more than pace.

CONANP describes the sendero alpino from Paso de Cortés to La Joyita as 7 km.

The park connects mountain ecology, water supply and the cultural landscape of the volcanoes.

Where the sources disagreeThis is a public alpine access line, not a certified running course; conditions and closures must be checked.

Trail path

The line
you follow.

StartPaso de CortésFinishLa JoyitaDirectionEastbound editorial direction; reversible with return logistics
  1. 01Paso de Cortés
  2. 02La Joya
  3. 03La Joyita
  4. 04Mirador sector

Route sections

01 · The SaddlePaso de Cortés to La Joya
Set out beneath views of both volcanoes.02 · The Alpine RoadLa Joya to La Joyita
Follow the authorized corridor toward the higher sector.03 · The Far ViewLa Joyita to Mirador
The remote visitor landscape opens toward the mountain flank.04 · Return Across the SaddleMirador to Paso de Cortés
Reverse the route with time for closing controls.

Weather profile

What the sky
is likely to do.

Cold exposed mountain weather with wind, fog, rain, snow or hail.

Season & timing

Managed seasonYear-round only when the park authorizes accessBest windowStable dry-weather mornings outside active closure or snow operations.SurfaceHigh-altitude dirt road, volcanic trail and exposed alpine groundDirectionEastbound editorial direction; reversible with return logistics

Signature moments

What you will
remember afterwards.

01

Paso de Cortés

02

Popocatépetl view

03

La Joya

04

La Joyita

05

Sierra Nevada panorama

SENDERo ALPINO

7 KM

A high traverse between two volcanoes

CONANP describes a 7 km route from Paso de Cortés to La Joyita.

Access & logistics

AccessEnter through Paso de Cortés and follow authorized routes.PermitsRegistration, reservation or payment may apply; verify current rules.BookingsWeekend access has historically used reservations and capacity limits.WaterCarry all needed water.FoodCarry food; limited services are not dependable.Mobile coverageVariable and unreliable in mountain sectors.

Key hazards

  • ▲Altitude
  • ▲Cold and wind
  • ▲Snow or ice
  • ▲Sudden closures
  • ▲Limited water
  • ▲Route exposure

SafetyOrientation only. Never enter restricted volcano areas.

Check official park conditions →Request this run →

Official sources

Last verified 2026-07-30 · Record CETC-RUN-015 · Orientation only. Always use current official maps, alerts and safety guidance.

Photograph: Carlos Valenzuela · CC BY-SA 3.0