Tepeyac Hill

Tepeyac Hill is a volcanic mountain in Gustavo A. Madero in northern Mexico City, rising as part of the Sierra de Guadalupe range. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe crowns its summit and provides views across the Valley of Mexico.

Before Spanish arrival in the 16th century, the hill served as a place of worship for the Aztec earth goddess Tonantzin Coatlaxopeuh. The Spanish colonization transformed the site into a Christian pilgrimage center that remains important today.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe brings pilgrims year-round who walk or climb on their knees to honor their faith at this location. The hill serves as a gathering space where people come to pray, offer candles, and spend time in quiet reflection.

Access the hill through Avenida de los Insurgentes at its base, where walking paths lead upward through the grounds. The climb requires physical effort, especially in hot weather, so arriving early with plenty of water is practical for a comfortable visit.

The name Tepeyac comes from Nahuatl and literally means 'on the mountain ridge', perfectly describing its location. Many visitors overlook that the current basilica is relatively modern, having been rebuilt and expanded only in recent decades.

Location: Gustavo A. Madero

Elevation above the sea: 2,270 m

Made from material: igneous rock

Part of: Sierra de Guadalupe

GPS coordinates: 19.48693,-99.11568

Latest update: December 20, 2025 11:22