Lagunas de Zempoala

The Lagunas de Zempoala are a string of cold mountain lakes in the fir and pine forests above Huitzilac, on the border between Morelos and the State of Mexico. President Lázaro Cárdenas declared the area a national park in November 1936, one of the first in the country, and its boundaries were redrawn in 1947. It belongs to the Chichinautzin biological corridor, the band of volcanic highlands that separates Mexico City from Cuernavaca and soaks up much of the rain that feeds the springs of Morelos.

There are seven named lakes, among them Zempoala, Tonatiahua, Compila and Quila, but only a few hold water all year; the rest fill up in the rainy season and shrink or dry out in the dry months. The largest and most visited is Laguna de Zempoala, near the entrance, with a trail around its shore. The lakes sit close to 3,000 meters above sea level, so mornings are cold and fog often drifts through the trees.

The forest of oyamel fir, pine and oak shelters white-tailed deer, many birds and some rare animals, including the teporingo, or volcano rabbit, and a local species of axolotl. Trout were introduced long ago, and the food stands by the lake are known for trout and blue-corn quesadillas. Expect crowds of families from Mexico City and Cuernavaca on weekends, and quiet on weekdays.