Pico de Orizaba

#5 among destinations in Mexico

Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano, Top attraction

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Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ericshawwhite / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 / Chiunti / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Jordanagoodman / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Nick Moyes / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Nick Moyes / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / MPF / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / panza.rayada / URL

Facts and practical information

Pico de Orizaba, also known as Citlaltépetl, stands majestically as Mexico's highest peak and North America's third highest mountain. This dormant stratovolcano, reaching an imposing height of 5,636 meters, is not only a geographical landmark but also a beacon for mountaineers and adventure seekers from around the world. Situated at the border between the states of Puebla and Veracruz, Pico de Orizaba is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and is recognized as a significant natural wonder in Mexico.

The volcano has a glacial crown, which is the source of a number of rivers, thus playing a crucial role in the region's hydrology. The Pico de Orizaba National Park, which surrounds the volcano, is a haven for biodiversity, hosting various species of plants and wildlife, some of which are endemic to the area.

Climbing Pico de Orizaba is a challenging endeavor due to its high altitude and the presence of glaciers. However, it attracts numerous climbers every year who aim to reach the summit and experience the breathtaking views across Mexico's landscape. The ascent typically starts from the town of Tlachichuca, with the climbing season running from October to March when the weather conditions are most favorable.

The history of Pico de Orizaba is steeped in the cultural heritage of the region, with its name deriving from the Nahuatl language, meaning "Star Mountain." It is also a site of historical significance, as it served as a reference point for early explorers and has featured prominently in local legends and folklore.

Local name: Citlaltépetl Last eruption: 1846First ascent: 1848Elevation: 18491 ftProminence: 16148 ftCoordinates: 19°1'49"N, 97°16'11"W

Location

PueblaMexico

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Day trips

Pico de Orizaba – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Sierra Negra, Large Millimeter Telescope, Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, High Altitude Water Cherenkov Experiment.

4.2 miSW
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Sierra Negra
109 min walk • Sierra Negra, an imposing volcano located in the southern Mexican state of Puebla, is one of the most significant geological features in the region. Known as the birthplace of the largest lava flow in the 20th century, Sierra Negra boasts a massive caldera measuring...
4.2 miSW
Observatories and planetariums
Large Millimeter Telescope
108 min walk • Nestled in the majestic landscape of the Sierra Negra volcano in Mexico, the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) stands as a beacon of astronomical discovery. As the largest and most sensitive single-aperture telescope designed specifically for millimeter-wavelength...
~130 ftSW
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt
1 min walk • The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, also known as the Transvolcanic Belt and locally as the Sierra Nevada, is an active volcanic belt that covers central-southern Mexico.
3.5 miSW
Observatories and planetariums
High Altitude Water Cherenkov Experiment
89 min walk • The High Altitude Water Cherenkov Experiment or High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory is a gamma-ray and cosmic ray observatory located on the flanks of the Sierra Negra volcano in the Mexican state of Puebla at an altitude of 4100 meters, at 18°59′41″N 97°18′30.6″W.