Mountain 27 km southwest of Paracho
The volcano that rose from a cornfield in 1943: ride or hike across the lava from Angahuan to its still-steaming crater.
On the afternoon of February 20, 1943, a farmer named Dionisio Pulido watched the ground split open in his cornfield near the village of Parangaricutiro. Within a day a cone of ash stood about 30 meters high; by the end of the first year it was more than 300. Paricutín kept erupting for nine years, until 1952, and for a long time was known as the world's youngest volcano.
Scientists from around the world came to watch, and it became the first eruption of its kind documented from birth to end. Its lava buried two villages, Paricutín and San Juan Parangaricutiro, whose people were evacuated and resettled. The cone rose 424 meters above the original fields, though only about 220 meters now stand above the lava that piled around its base. The crater is about 250 meters across, and steam still seeps from the rim.
Today the volcano is quiet and one of the great adventures of the Purépecha highlands. From the village of Angahuan, local guides lead you on horseback or on foot across black lava and ash to the base of the cone, then up its loose slopes to walk around the crater, with Pico de Tancítaro rising behind.
What to see and do
Ride or hike with a local guide from Angahuan across the lava field to the base of the cone, about 11 kilometers and three hours on horseback.
Climb the loose cinder slope (30 to 60 minutes) and walk around the crater rim, where steam still rises.
Stop at the lava-buried church of San Juan Parangaricutiro on the way back.
Start early, bring a jacket and sun protection, and plan on a full day; the summit is about 2,800 meters high and windy.
Getting there
Drive south from Paracho on Highway 37 toward Uruapan and, just past Capácuaro, take the paved road west to Angahuan (about 19 kilometers); the whole drive is roughly 45 minutes. In Angahuan, guides and horses are hired at the tourist center or in the village; the volcano cannot be reached by road.
27 km southwest of Paracho
Directions from Paracho on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather cool
Volcán Paricutín shares the climate of Paracho, 27 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Apr, Nov.
Make Paracho your base
Volcán Paricutín is an easy trip from Paracho, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Paracho
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Cherán
· Town · 11 km away
A Purépecha town that rose up against illegal loggers in 2011 and now governs itself through a community council. -
Cocucho
· Town · 16 km away
A highland village known for its huge clay jars, shaped by hand and fired in open bonfires by local women. -
Angahuan
· Town · 22 km away
Purépecha-speaking village and base for Paricutín, with an early colonial church and guides with horses for hire. -
Templo de San Juan Parangaricutiro
· Landmark · 24 km away
A church tower and altar rising from a sea of black lava, all that is left of a town buried by Paricutín in 1944.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.