Paso de Cortés

About this place

Paso de Cortés is a mountain pass between the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes in central Mexico, about 15 km in a straight line south-east of the town of Amecameca and about 90 km south-east of Mexico City. It lies between 3,600 and 3,800 m above sea level and is the main access point to Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park. The pass sits in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, where the continental divide turns north. It was known in Nahuatl as Tlamacaxco, «upper pass», and later named after Hernán Cortés, who crossed it in 1519. In 2026 it was proposed that it be officially renamed the Pass of the Indigenous Peoples. From the pass, the snow-capped cone of Popocatépetl rises to the south, often trailing a thin plume, while the long summit ridge of Iztaccíhuatl stretches to the north, its outline said to resemble a sleeping woman. Pine forests and high grasslands cover the slopes, hiking trails to Iztaccíhuatl start here, and small waterfalls such as Apatlaco lie in the forest. A park entry fee applies. The air is thin and early mornings are very cold, so bring warm clothes. Because Popocatépetl is an active volcano, access can sometimes close, so check the park's notices before you go.