Cofre de Perote National Park

Cofre de Perote National Park (Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote) is a Mexico national park surrounding the Cofre de Perote mountain in the state of Veracruz. Cofre de Perote is the 8th highest mountain in Mexico at 4,282 meters (14,049 feet). Locally, the mountain is also referred to by its Nahuatl name, Nauhcampatépetl. It lies within the Volcano Belt, an area of high seismic activity that stretches across Central Mexico, and is considered an extinct shield volcano with no eruptions in recorded history. The park is popular for mountain biking, hiking, camping, rock climbing, and caving.

History
The park was created by presidential decree in 1937.

Landscape
The park is mountainous, with rocky crags and deep gorges, particularly on the eastward approach to the mountain. Most of the terrain is blanketed in pine forest with bare rock at upper elevations. Snow and ice are possible, particularly in late fall and early winter. The park covers an area of 11,700 hectacres.

Flora and fauna
The park is heavily forested with mostly pine. Several species of pine are found in the park, as well as piñon and juniper.

Almost 100 species of bird live in the park, as well as a number of reptiles and mammals. An endemic reptile found in this park is the transvolcanic rattlesnake (Crotalus triseriatus). Mammals include coyote, lynx, skunks, cacomixtle, and an endemic squirrel species called ardilla de perote (Spermophilus perotensis).

Get in
The easiest way to get to this park is to travel to Puebla, then rent a car or take a taxi to the town of Perote. It will take about 2 hours to drive the 130 km distance. Once in Perote, use Google maps or a similar GPS app to wend your way through town to the village of El Conejo. You can also take a taxi from Perote to the park (it's only about 20 km but the route is complicated and the travel time slow).

Fees and permits
There is no fee at this park.

Get around
Walk or mountain bike.

See

 * La Murcielaguera Canyon is an 8 km long canyon with vertical basalt walls that range from 10 to 70 meters in height. The canyon is a habitat for hummingbirds, the rhinoceros beetle, bats, and several reptile species. The hiking path passes several clearings and caves.

Two lakes are particularly scenic, and because they are not accessible by car, they're lightly visited and can be a great place to escape crowds and find some natural solitude for backcountry camping or nature watching. The lakes are:
 * Laguna Tilapa
 * Laguna Negra Oeste

Do

 * Mountain biking - this park is particularly popular for mountain biking with a number of trails dedicated to bikes, including the El Lince cycling route, the Ruta del Cofre, and the Sendero de los Abuelos
 * Hiking - several well-marked trails traverse the park, the most popular and challenging trail goes to the peak and will take the better part of a day to go up and back. The trail starts in the village of El Conejo. Most of the trail passes through a pine forest and is a pleasant, cool walk that provides outstanding views of many neighboring volcanoes on a clear day. The last part of the hike is to ascend the blocky chunk of rock that forms the peak: fortunately, this is easy because there are stairs and a handrail to the top. From the top of Cofre de Perote photographers can get outstanding pictures of snow-capped Pico de Orizaba (the highest mountain in Mexico).

Buy
Lots to see here, nothing to buy.

Eat
Food is not available in the park. Bring your own.

Drink
There are no reliable sources of water within the park, so bring your own. The last place to buy food or drink is a small store called Miscaleanea Lizbeth in the village of El Conejo, at the main trailhead into the park.

Sleep
The nearest town with hotel rooms will be Perote.

Lodging/Camping
Camping and cabins are available in the park at the Centro Recreativo, which is about a 30-minute walk from the trailhead in El Conejo.

Backcountry
Backcountry camping is allowed and there are numerous areas that would make good campsites.

Stay safe
This is a relatively safe area of Mexico with no particular risks other than normal precautions for the type of activities you plan.

Go next

 * Pico de Orizaba National Park
 * Iztacchuatl-Popocateptl National Park