Trails through Chiapas, Seeing the Marvels of Nature on Foot
Encompassing mountains, swift rivers and rainforests whispering millenary secrets, Chiapas is a natural paradise that reveals more of itself as you go.
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Up for an adventure?
Here are some hiking routes to explore in Chiapas.
Reserva de la Biósfera El Triunfo
※ In the mountainous heart of Chiapas, El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve is a sanctuary of clouds and biodiversity. Walking its paths feels like plunging into a world suspended amidst the clouds and the whistle of quetzal birds.
The main routes to take are:
● El Triunfo to the Limonar campground:
A 7.5-mi hike with an incline of +2,780 ft.
● Limonar campground to Paval:
A 6.5-mi hike with an incline of +925 ft.
● El Triunfo campground – Punta Cafetales:
A 6-mi hike with a +288-ft incline.
● El Triunfo Trail:
A 13-mi hike with an incline of +3040 ft.
How to get to the Reserva de la Biósfera El Triunfo
From Tuxtla Gutiérrez, take the 190 road to América libre, where you take the exit to the 157 road to Jaltenango de la Paz. There, you will have to take dirt roads —some require 4×4 vehicles— that go into the Sierra Madre de Chiapas.
Volcán Tacaná
※ At an altitude of about 10,102 ft above sea level (ASL), the Tacaná Volcano is among the ten tallest volcanoes in Mexico and a sleeping giant that watches over the border between Chiapas and Guatemala. Climbing it is like ascending a staircase between two different worlds: from humid coffee plantations and cloud forests to barren wasteland where the wind blows freely and the horizon seems to reach heaven.
Points of interest on the route:
● Base Camp: Located at an altitude of approximately 10,103 ft, it is perfect for relaxing and acclimatizing before continuing up the volcano.
● El Oso Cave: An iconic spot along the route.
● The Top of the Tacaná: A natural scenic overlook for viewing Mexico and Guatemala; weather permitting, you can see as far as the Pacific.
Recommendations for the climb
● Acclimation: Arrive in Union Juárez or Talquián at least a day ahead.
● Appropriate gear: Thermal clothing, rain jacket, mountain boots, headlamp, trekking poles, tents and food, since there are no providers on site.
● Hire a local guide: Not only for safety, but for the wealth of ancestral knowledge they have to share.
● Get all the necessary permits: Register and get the entrance bracelet from CONANP (the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas).
● Ideal time: from November to May, during the dry season, when the sky tends to be clear.
Lacandona Rainforest
※ This vast tropical ecosystem is the home of communities that have preserved the knowledge and wisdom of their ancestors, as well as of stealthy jaguars and scarlet macaws.
Hiking routes in the Lacandona Rainforest:
● Corcho Negro Waterfall
● Las Golondrinas Waterfall
● Trail to Ciudad Perdida
● Hiking in Nueva Palestina
Other activities in the Lacandona Rainforest
● Rafting down the Lacanjá River. Ideal for admiring the rainforest from the water, amidst lush vegetation and birdsong
● Cultural visits. Guided experiences with Lacandon families who share their traditions, rituals and knowledge about medicinal plants
● Relaxation in thermal water. The natural heat and curative properties of the water, along with the serenity of the environment, renew body and spirit.
● Cave exploration. Explore the depths of the earth, full of stalactites and geological secrets.
● We recommend these campsites for your rainforest experience:
𝄪 Aventuras Chankin
𝄪 Campamento Lacandones
𝄪 Sak Nok
𝄪 Top che
The Chichonal Volcano
※ At 4,134 ft ASL, the Chichonal is remembered for its violent eruption in 1982, which left a deep imprint on the region. Today, its over half-mile-in-diameter crater contains an emerald green, sulfurous lake surrounded by landscape that combines natural grandeur with geological history.
Hiking: There is only one Chichonal Volcano trail, and the entrance is at the ecotourism center called Ecoturismo Volcán Chichonal. Here are three ways to take it:
● The traditional Chichonal route: A 7.5-mi hike with a 1,798-ft incline.
● The Chichonal camping route: An 11-mi journey involving a 3,200-ft incline, ideal for folks looking for a more immersive experience.
● The Chichonal Volcano foothills: A 4.2-mi route with a 450-ft incline, appropriate for moderately experienced hikers.
Chichonal Volcano Tours
Hiking tours to the Chichonal include round-trip transportation, specialized guides, entrances, community permits, insurance, as well as photograph and video services to document the experience. These tours generally leave from nearby locations and are designed to provide a safe, enriching experience.
Considerations
𝄪𝄪𝄪𝄪𝄪𝄪𝄪𝄪𝄪𝄪𝄪𝄪
The Chichonal is in a region of rough and densely wooded terrain in the central-north of Chiapas. The routes to the crater are considered moderately difficult, so hikers should be physically fit and have hiking experience.
Lagunas de Montebello National Park
※ With over 50 bodies of turquoise and jade water, this national park offers hiking routes that wind through the rainforest on hills and to crystal-clear lakes.
● The Parador Turístico route: It leaves from the parador parking lot and follows an easy yet stunning rainforest trail, between the Encantada and Esmeralda lagoons.
● The Tziscao to San Luís route: It goes over hills and around several lakes, perfect for folks in the mood for a moderate hike with panoramic landscapes.
● The route from the Parador Turístico Bosque Azul: immersive and serene, it goes into a dense forest and leads to a hidden cave, ideal for curious explorers.
● The Lake Tziscao – San Luís route: With a 1266-ft incline, it is good for anyone seeking a physical challenge with memorable views.
● The Refugio la Cañada route: It is located at the outer extreme of the National Park and offers interpretative trails, lakes, caves, zip lines and bird watching.
