La Malinche / Matlalcuéyatl
A most fantastic natural area and outdoor adventure, it still seems to sweep up from the earth with a grace undeniable even to those with less aptitude for adventure.
La Malinche is a grand national park and a magnificent volcano, cloaked in legend and ancient mystery. It was known, and is again today known as Matlalcuéyatl. That is usually translated as She of the blue skirt. A goddess of rain and terrestrial waters, she was a second wife of Tlaloc, the most commonly referenced Nahua god of rain and she was sometimes referred to as Malintzin among ancient and colonial-era Tlaxcaltec peoples. This name, somewhat confusingly, was shortened to La Malinche for the later consort of Hernán Cortés. That name remains the most common for the volcano and for the fantastic park.
The parkland includes parts of both Tlaxcala and Puebla where it is prominently visible although it is about 43 km from the capital of Tlaxcala and some 73 kms from the capital of Puebla. The most widely used entrance is from the town of Huemantla on the volcano's northeastern slopes. The road from there leads up to the almost unbelievable Malintzi IMSS vacation center. Seemingly from an altogether different era, it's a big cabin rental area, with space for camping, outdoor grilling, and sports fields. It's unusual for a national park but open to the public.
The park itself has been in existence since 1938. Most of it is coniferous forest, but the woods are home to mammals, birds, and reptiles, and 16 species are endemic to the the volcanic belt. The park protects tributaries and is extremely important to the water supply for this part of the country. The altitude ranges from 2,400 meters to 4,461 above sea level. The highest peaks are often covered in snow.
The volcano is scaled by mountaineers and climbing enthusiasts, but the lower slopes are a welcome site for those less inclined toward extreme adventures. Forests are crossed by some hiking trails for mere enthusiasts, although there are a number for their more experienced counterparts. The park is supported by a lively community of artisans, adventurers, and educational experts who offers interpretive hikes, and can even advise on the variety of activities available.
Most visitors, as mentioned, will arrive through Huemantla, but there is a more direct route from the city of Tlaxcala.
