The wild road to the abandoned Albergue Tlamacas

The wild road to the abandoned Albergue Tlamacas

Mexico, north-america

Length

4.7 km

Elevation

3,962 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're in the heart of Mexico, in Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, ready for an adventure. We're heading to Albergue Tlamacas, an abandoned hotel perched way up at almost 13,000 feet! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks.

The road starts at Paso de Cortés (Tlamacaxco) and stretches for just under 3 miles. It's paved, but let's just say it's seen better days. This place has a story to tell, built in the '70s, it was a hotspot until the Popocatepetl volcano started acting up in '94, forcing everyone to leave. It was a fave for climbers and tourists wanting a peek at the volcano.

Now, hold on tight, because this road is STEEP. We're talking a max gradient of 7% in places! You'll climb almost 900 feet in elevation, making for an average gradient of almost 6%. The views are insane, but keep your eyes on the road—this drive demands respect! Get ready for an unforgettable (and slightly eerie) experience.

Where is it?

The wild road to the abandoned Albergue Tlamacas is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 22.4248, -102.9563

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Road Details

Country
Mexico
Continent
north-america
Length
4.7 km
Max Elevation
3,962 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
22.4248, -102.9563

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