Malinche

La Malinche, also called Matlalcueitl, is a dormant volcano on the border between Tlaxcala and Puebla that rises to 4,461 meters above sea level. The mountain features multiple side peaks and transitions from dense forests at its base to rocky surfaces near the top.

The volcano formed over 30 million years ago during the Paleogene period and shaped the landscape between the states. Its last eruption occurred roughly 3,100 years ago, ending the active phase of the mountain.

The Tlaxcaltecs named the peak Matlalcueitl, meaning Lady of the Blue Skirt, connecting it to their rain and song deity. This name still resonates in the reverence many visitors show when approaching the summit.

The national park offers accommodation in cabins at 3,080 meters elevation, from where hiking trails lead through different climate zones to the summit. The ascent passes through changing vegetation levels and requires good physical preparation for the thin air at altitude.

A misunderstanding in 1968 led local residents to attack university climbers, marking a dark chapter in the modern history of the mountain. This incident is rarely mentioned today but remains part of the local memory.