National Park Guide
Desierto De Los Leones is a national park located in the Sierra de las Cruces mountain range, west of Mexico City. This area features altitudes ranging from 2,600 to 3,700 meters above sea level, characterized by dense forests of pine, fir, and oak. Numerous brooks, ravines, streams, and waterfalls contribute to a lush, often damp environment, making Desierto De Los Leones suitable for several outdoor sports like hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, and more.
75
Routes
4.6
(238)
Average rating
3087
People visited

4.5
(19)
131
hikers
11.0km
03:55
650m
650m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(15)
107
hikers
8.74km
03:00
490m
490m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(9)
41
hikers
15.0km
05:07
780m
780m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(7)
22
hikers
9.88km
03:24
540m
540m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
80
riders
17.0km
01:22
360m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(7)
212
riders
35.1km
02:30
720m
720m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

61
riders
41.0km
03:44
1,180m
1,180m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(1)
46
riders
34.3km
02:21
580m
580m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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2
riders
4.98km
00:25
120m
120m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

38
riders
8.00km
00:46
230m
230m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(14)
24
riders
21.6km
01:40
500m
500m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

19
riders
23.1km
02:09
510m
510m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.3
(4)
363
riders
49.0km
02:41
890m
890m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.6
(16)
273
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

150
riders
83.3km
04:46
1,770m
1,760m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(3)
88
riders
34.4km
02:13
780m
780m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(2)
116
runners
16.8km
02:14
430m
430m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
28
runners
27.4km
03:23
850m
850m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

22
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
runners
29.3km
03:42
980m
980m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Desierto De Los Leones National Park offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, and jogging. The park features diverse terrain with dense forests and elevation changes, making it suitable for various skill levels.
Popular hiking routes include the San Miguel Circuit via Ex-Convent of Desierto de los Leones, a 6.8 mile (11 km) moderate trail, and Sendero por el Parque Nacional Desierto de los Leones — Ida y vuelta, a 5.4 mile (8.7 km) moderate trail. The park has 23 hiking routes documented on komoot. More information is available in the Hiking in Desierto De Los Leones guide.
Desierto De Los Leones offers a wide array of mountain biking trails, with over 120 documented routes catering to various skill levels. Options range from easy flow singletracks to technical descents and routes with significant elevation gains. The MTB Trails in Desierto De Los Leones guide provides further details.
Road cyclists can explore routes such as Ahuehuetes Sur – Petroleum Fountain loop from San Lorenzo Acopilco, a 30.5 mile (49 km) moderate route, or the Desierto de los Leones Viewpoint – Mobile food stand loop from Estacion Santa Fe, a 22.7 mile (36.5 km) moderate route. Many routes feature substantial elevation changes. Additional routes are listed in the Road Cycling Routes in Desierto De Los Leones guide.
A key feature is the well-preserved 17th-century Carmelite monastery (Ex-Convento del Desierto de los Leones), which served as a secluded retreat. The park also offers panoramic vistas from high elevation trails and numerous brooks, ravines, streams, and waterfalls. The Attractions in Desierto De Los Leones guide highlights more points of interest.
The park offers trails suitable for all levels, including leisurely walks. While specific family-friendly routes are not detailed, the Easy hikes in Desierto De Los Leones guide provides options for less challenging excursions. The diverse terrain allows for varied experiences.
Desierto De Los Leones National Park is situated in the Sierra de las Cruces mountain range. Altitudes within the park range from approximately 8,500 to 12,100 feet (2,600 to 3,700 meters) above sea level. This contributes to a cool and often damp climate.
The park is characterized by dense forests predominantly composed of pine, fir (oyamel), and oak trees. It is a rich biosphere supporting a variety of fauna, including white-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels, bobcats, weasels, and over 100 species of birds like hawks, owls, and woodpeckers.
Desierto De Los Leones is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 2,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The park features 63 routes across various sports, which have an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Hiking in Desierto De Los Leones, MTB Trails in Desierto De Los Leones, and Road Cycling Routes in Desierto De Los Leones. Guides for easy hikes, general cycling, running trails, and attractions are also available.
The official website for Desierto De Los Leones National Park is desiertodelosleones.com.mx. For direct inquiries, the park can be reached by phone at +52 (55) 5814 1171.

