
The Wild Road to El Capulin
Mexico, north-america
11.6 km
3,075 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever heard of El Capulín? This super-high mountain town in Mexico sits way up at 10,088 feet! We're talking one of the highest roads in the whole country.
You'll find this hidden gem, famous for its beautiful church, nestled right on the edge of Morelos and Mexico City, smack-dab in the Cumbres del Ajusco National Park. Picture this: central Mexico at its finest!
Now, for the road itself – Carretera al Capulín. Get ready for an off-road thrill because it's completely unpaved! You'll kick things off from the Xalatlaco-El Ajusco road. The wild ride stretches for about 7.2 miles.
Climbing into the Sierra de las Cruces, the road peaks near Volcán El Muñeco, hitting a staggering 11,899 feet! But a word of warning: this area is known for its thick mist. Visibility can get seriously low, so keep your wits about you!
Where is it?
The Wild Road to El Capulin is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 23.4038, -103.8953
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 11.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,075 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 23.4038, -103.8953
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