Pico de Orizaba

Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltépetl) is a dormant stratovolcano on the Veracruz-Puebla state border and is the highest mountain in Mexico. Its summit reaches 5,636 meters, making it the tallest peak in the country.

Mountaineers come for the high-altitude summit and glacier features; the normal route is popular with experienced climbers and requires acclimatization. The mountain’s large, symmetrical cone and extensive upper snowfields make it a dominant visual landmark over surrounding lowlands.

Formed by successive volcanic eruptions, Pico de Orizaba has a long geological history as part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. It has not produced frequent historical eruptions in the modern era and is generally classified as dormant or quiescent by volcanologists.

The volcano sits near the border between Veracruz and Puebla, about 200 kilometers east of Mexico City by road. The surrounding landscape rises sharply from the Gulf coastal plain to high alpine environments on the flanks of the cone.

• Altitude and climbing: The peak is the highest in Mexico at 5,636 meters and is a major mountaineering objective requiring acclimatization and basic glacier travel skills for many routes.
• Protection: Located on the border of the states of Veracruz and Puebla, the mountain is managed as a protected area with regulated access for climbers and researchers.

What to See #

• Summit: A high summit plateau and crater area that reaches 5,636 meters above sea level and forms the highest point in Mexico and the third-highest in North America.
• Glacial areas: Jamapa Glacier and upper snowfields on the north and northeast flanks that persist at high elevation and influence normal climbing routes.
• Piedra Grande staging area: Piedra Grande hut and base facilities used by climbers as the usual staging point for summit attempts, situated on the mountain's western slopes.