{"id":4471,"date":"2022-01-31T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.plateapr.com\/en\/?p=4471"},"modified":"2022-02-11T13:40:55","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T18:40:55","slug":"best-hikes-in-el-yunque-national-forest-in-puerto-rico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.plateapr.com\/en\/things-to-do\/best-hikes-in-el-yunque-national-forest-in-puerto-rico\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Hikes in El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The only tropical forest on U.S. soil, El Yunque\u2019s four distinct forest zones are laced with some of the most accessible hiking trails in the Caribbean.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pretty much unchanged since the Spanish first arrived in Puerto Rico in 1493, El Yunque harbors a spectacular array of flora and fauna. Part of the Sierra de Luquillo on Puerto Rico\u2019s East Coast, the 28,000-acre tropical rainforest has 13 well-maintained hiking trails that attract hikers of all levels. Short paved trails in the north and more primitive dirt paths in the south lead hikers through a magical realm of serrated peaks, cloud-laced mountains, frothy cascades and colossal boulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Portal Visitor Center<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On January 20, 2022, El Yunque\u2019s visitor center, El Portal, reopened for the first time since Hurricane Mar\u00eda caused extensive damage in 2017. After investments of some $20 million, the state-of-the-art space is fresh from a major overhaul and is well worth allowing an hour or two, at least. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 40,000-square-foot space (3,716 sq. m) was built using wood from trees felled by the hurricane and is emblematic of Puerto Rico\u2019s spirit of reclamation and renewal. The center mounts a series of interactive exhibits that promote close encounters with resident wildlife, including the endangered Puerto Rican parrot, and reveal ongoing conservation efforts. There are also multimedia displays by local artists, a restaurant and a movie theater. Visits begin with a stirring documentary\u2014produced by Puerto Rican filmmaker Mar\u00eda Falc\u00f3n and narrated by Benicio del Toro\u2014which educates visitors on El Yunque\u2019s distinct ecosystems. A new, accessible trail winds through the surrounding area with interpretative panels that speak to a renewed focus on sustainability, conservation and community engagement\u2014in its previous incarnation, El Portal catered to mass tourism rather than the local community.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trail system<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most trails are less than a mile long and do not require any scrambling, technical skills or advanced fitness. The epicenter of visitor activity is the north side of the forest, where mostly paved trails create the best hikes in El Yunque for families. The southern recesses are the preserve of more experienced hikers. A challenging 8-hour hike connects the north and south sides of El Yunque.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If hiking is not your thing, you can drive along PR-191 into the mountains where observation areas and picnic spots afford spectacular views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flora and fauna<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forest is located high above sea level\u2014El Toro its highest peak at 3,524 feet (107m)\u2014 and it comprises four forest zones: some 65 percent is tabonuco forest, which gives way to Palo Colorado forest, sierra palm forest and, at the top, cloud or dwarf forest. El Yunque is home to more than 200 species of tropical trees and an incredible inventory of flora and fauna, including the raucous greenish blue, red-fronted Puerto Rican parrot, once practically extinct but now growing in numbers. Extremely rare sightings include the Puerto Rican boa, which grows to 7 ft (2.1m). Prepare for rain during your visit; the annual rainfall here exceeds 100 billion gallons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Watercourse in the rainforest El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Best Hiking Trails<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Yunque Peak<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The park\u2019s signature El Yunque hike is doable for anyone in reasonable shape. It\u2019s well worth the climb for the incredible views from the summit. The 4-km (2.5-mile) paved trail weaves amidst a medley of flora and fauna\u2014gorgeous wildflowers, brightly colored bromeliads, huge ferns, cacophonous birdlife and sonorous tree frogs.
Traversing each of El Yunque\u2019s four forest zones, you\u2019ll slowly ascend through Palo Colorado forest, sierra palms, misty rainforest and cloud forest where dwarf vegetation rarely tops 10 ft (3m). From the summit you can view the snaking coastline of the North Coast and Puerto Rico\u2019s easternmost tip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have the time and energy, it\u2019s worth taking the short out-and-back Los Picachos trail for its beautiful views. The trail intersects with El Yunque trail; take the right fork for Los Picachos, left fork for El Yunque. From here, El Yunque trail is not as well maintained and, at this point, it justifies its official classification as \u201cmoderate to challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a total elevation gain of 1,500 ft (457m), the 8km (5 mile) round trip takes about four hours. It\u2019s best to hike the trail in the morning to maximize your chance of a clear view from the peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mount Britton Trail<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A rewarding short hike, the paved Mount Britton trail is one of the park\u2019s most popular hikes. Accessed from a loop road (PR-9938), located off the upper (southern) end of PR-191, the 1.3km (0.8 mile) out-and-back trail ascends through cloud forest to an altitude of 3,000 ft (914m). The hike\u2019s namesake Mount Britton tower was built in the 1930s by the Conservation Corps. Technically rated an advanced trail, it\u2019s steep in some places and can become very slippery in wet and humid conditions. If the conditions are clear, panoramic views from the tower\u2019s observation deck extend across the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the eastern coastal plain. Along the trail, keep a lookout for El Yunque\u2019s abundant orchid and fern species which share their habitat with millions of tiny tree frogs, or coqu\u00ed (pronounced “ko-kee<\/em>“).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mount Britton trail connects to El Yunque trail\u2014one of the island’s highest peaks at over 3,500 ft (1,070m). To reach El Yunque summit, it\u2019s around another mile (about an hour\u2019s hike).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rio Sabana Trail<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located in the wild and primeval southern recesses of El Yunque, the Rio Sabana trail offers challenging terrain for experienced hikers. Located on PR-191, the 4.6km (2.9 mile) trail begins to the right of the picnic tables. With an elevation gain of some 1,000 ft (304m), it takes around 90 minutes each way to reach the trail\u2019s intersection with the Tradewinds trail, which leads to El Toro Peak. Be mindful that dense, encroaching vegetation and hazardous landslides between the Tradewinds\/Rio Sabana junction and El Toro Peak may require alternate routing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A short hike along the lower section of Rio Sabana trail, provides immediate insight into the park\u2019s primordial aura and staggering biodiversity. This lower section is in much better condition than at the higher elevations. To ascend along the dirt track, you may have to negotiate fallen trees and other detritus resulting from landslides and hurricanes. Regardless of the season, you should prepare for muddy, slippery conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The route climbs through a spectacular profusion of tree, plant and orchid species\u2014flora and fauna that is rarely seen on the busier trails. You\u2019ll pass through sierra palm forest, traverse trickling streams and often clamber over giant boulders. After around one hour, you\u2019ll reach a river crossing with a picnic area. Once you cross the river, the trail becomes densely overgrown and much harder to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waterfall Hikes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Angelito Trail<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

El Yunque\u2019s most memorable hikes culminate in beautiful views, picturesque waterfalls and refreshing swimming pools. One of the park\u2019s most family-friendly (and heavily trafficked) trails, Angelito provides great rewards for little effort. Located on PR-988, to reach the trailhead take the first left after entering El Yunque from the Rio Grande entrance. The short and sweet 0.8km (0.5 mile) trail quickly immerses hikers in El Yunque\u2019s magical scenery. A relatively flat, out-and-back, gravel path weaves provides families with a perfect initiation into the wonders of the rainforest. After around 40 minutes, the trail ends with a series of small waterfalls which cascade into an idyllic swimming spot on the Mameyes River. Note that after rain, the path can become muddy and uneven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A family spends time at El Yunque National Forest \/ Omark Reyes \/ Discover Puerto Rico <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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