Sierra de Tapalpa Volcanic Ridge Circuit

From the colonial mountain town of Tapalpa, this circuit climbs through pine and oak forests to traverse the volcanic ridgeline separating the Tapalpa and Sayula valleys. The route passes Las Piedrotas, massive volcanic boulder formations that locals call Mexico’s Stonehenge, and continues to the extinct crater at Cerro de García where pre-Columbian peoples mined obsidian for tools and weapons. Forest Service roads connect thermal springs at Agua Caliente de Tapalpa with viewpoints overlooking the entire western Sierra Madre, including distant views of Volcán de Colima on clear days.

Moderate difficulty requiring high-clearance 4WD for steep volcanic scree and seasonal creek crossings. October through April offers the best weather, with occasional snow possible at higher elevations. The town of Tapalpa provides the last reliable fuel and supplies. Several ejidos offer camping permissions, and natural thermal pools make perfect trail-end soaks. This route delivers classic Mexican highland scenery, indigenous archaeological sites, and the chance to camp among massive volcanic formations under some of the clearest night skies in western Mexico.