Motorcycle Ride Planner · Routes · Mexico

Paso de Cortés (Popocatépetl & Iztaccíhuatl Pass) - MEX 115 Spur

Mexico · Paso de Cortés Rd / MEX 115 Spur

The legendary mountain saddle crossed by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1519, nestled directly between Mexico's two towering volcanic giants: active, smoking Popocatépetl (17,802 ft) and dormant snow-capped Iztaccíhuatl (17,160 ft). Summits at an astonishing 12,110 feet amidst alpine pine and bunchgrass, offering views of sulfur fumaroles venting from 'El Popo'. Road Quality: Paved asphalt from Amecameca up to the national park ranger station, transitioning into unpaved volcanic ash, loose gravel, and bumpy cobblestones on the descent toward San Nicolás and Cholula. Safety & Military Checkpoints: CONANP national park checkpoint at the summit; subject to immediate closure by civil protection (CENAPRED) during heightened volcanic activity (Yellow Phase); severe cold and sudden rain/sleet possible year-round; expect roughly 30% motorcycle engine power loss due to thin air at 12,000+ ft. Fuel Range: Top off in Amecameca or Cholula; no fuel along the 38-mile mountain pass.

Paso de Cortés (Popocatépetl & Iztaccíhuatl Pass) - MEX 115 Spur runs 38 miles between Amecameca, Estado de México and Cholula / San Nicolás de los Ranchos, Puebla. We count about 175 corners along it, which is consistently bendy. Demanding, and not a road to meet in the wet.

Tank-bag quick reference

• StartAmecameca, Estado de México19.1286, -98.7656
• High7,050 ft - 12,110 ft (Paso de Cortés Saddle)elevation range
• EndCholula / San Nicolás de los Ranchos, Puebla19.0622, -98.3075

T-CLOCS before you go: tyres and wheels, controls and cables, lights and electrics, oil and fluids, chassis and stand.

Repair within reach

• 32 miBMW Motorrad Mexico CityMexico City, Ciudad de México

Straight-line distance from the start of the route, not driving distance.

More in Mexico

• El Espinazo del Diablo (Devil's Backbone) - MEX 40 Libre135 mi · 2150 corners
• Sierra de Miahuatlán & San José del Pacífico - MEX 175 South148 mi · 1950 corners
• Carretera Transpeninsular (Baja 1000 Highway) - MEX 11020 mi · 1850 corners
• Sierra Madre del Sur Pacific Descent - MEX 131158 mi · 1850 corners
• Sierra Juárez Alpine Ridge to Gulf Lowlands - MEX 175 North132 mi · 1650 corners
• Sierra Gorda Spine (Ruta de las Misiones) - MEX 120145 mi · 1450 corners

Questions riders ask

How long does Paso de Cortés (Popocatépetl & Iztaccíhuatl Pass) - MEX 115 Spur take to ride?

About 38 miles. At an unhurried pace with stops that is roughly 1 hour of riding, longer if you are stopping for photographs.

Where does Paso de Cortés (Popocatépetl & Iztaccíhuatl Pass) - MEX 115 Spur start and end?

It runs between Amecameca, Estado de México and Cholula / San Nicolás de los Ranchos, Puebla. Either end works as a start; the route reads the same in both directions.

Is Paso de Cortés (Popocatépetl & Iztaccíhuatl Pass) - MEX 115 Spur a twisty road?

We count about 175 corners across 38 miles, which is consistently bendy.

Is there a GPX file for Paso de Cortés (Popocatépetl & Iztaccíhuatl Pass) - MEX 115 Spur?

Yes. The GPX is free, there is no account, and the planner will build a route that includes this road alongside others nearby.

Where these numbers come from

Distances and corner counts come from the route's own geometry, not from ratings or votes. Nothing here is crowdsourced and nobody paid to appear.