The summit view
The town and cliffs from above.
Juan Pablo M. Bastida — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Rafael Moriyama Inukai — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rafael Moriyama Inukai — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fred Rogers Vlgs — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Juan Pablo M. Bastida — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Paitomima — CC0
El Tepozteco is a small archaeological site on a cliff top above the town of Tepoztlán in Morelos state, inside a national park of the same name. It consists of a small temple dedicated to Tepoztecatl, the Aztec god linked with pulque, a fermented drink, and you reach it after a long climb through the forest. The terraces and small pyramid were built in the middle Postclassic period. The temple became important enough to draw pilgrims from as far away as Guatemala, even though the cult was local. Two fallen stones found in the ruins bear the name of the emperor Ahuizotl and the date 1502, and scholars differ over what they mean. The platform is 6.4 metres high, with a 3.3-metre base above it and the remains of the two-roomed temple on top. Stone benches carry reliefs of the 20 days of the sacred calendar. But it is the view that amazes visitors: the town far below and the rock cliffs all around. You will see curious coatis at the top, so do not feed them and keep your food out of reach. The summit is 1.7 km in a straight line north of the town centre, and the trail from Axitla runs about 2 km, but it is steep with uneven stone steps. Wear suitable shoes, start early and bring water. The trail has closed at times after fires or for other reasons, so check in town before climbing. Entry stops before closing, so do not start late.
The town and cliffs from above.
Two rooms and benches with calendar reliefs.
Stone steps climbing from Axitla.
Top of Avenue of Tepozteco, Barrio de la Santa Cruz, Tepoztlán, Morelos state
Yes, the trail is fairly short but steep with uneven stone steps, so take your time.
The national heritage institute lists Wednesday to Sunday, and the trail sometimes closes, so check in town.