Cerro de la Estrella National Park, National Park in Iztapalapa, Mexico

Cerro de la Estrella National Park centres on a volcanic hill that reaches 2,450 metres above sea level, 224 metres above the city, the highest point in Iztapalapa. From a distance the hill appears as a low, broad grey-green mound behind a band of trees. The park covers between 143 and 192 hectares and includes trails, a lookout with benches and five telescopes, picnic areas and sports facilities.

The site shows signs of settlement dating back to 1500 BCE with structures built by different civilizations over many centuries. The park itself was formally established in 1938, though it has shrunk significantly due to urban expansion around it.

The hill's Nahuatl name, Huizachtepetl, means "mountain of thorns." Every 52 years the Mexica performed the New Fire ceremony here; the last one took place in 1507. Since 1843 Iztapalapa has staged its Passion Play on the slope, with the Crucifixion enacted at Calvario, the base of a Teotihuacan-era pyramid.

Visitors can explore the park using marked trails that vary in difficulty, making it suitable for different activity levels. Morning visits work best for enjoying views and avoiding crowds, especially on weekends when local families use the recreational facilities.

The hill's Nahuatl name, Huizachtepetl, means "mountain of thorns." Excavations have uncovered 144 caves, and local legend holds that a tunnel beneath the hill connects to a cemetery. The lookout at the top has benches with pre-Hispanic motifs and five telescopes.