Santa Fe National Park
I love exploring Santa Fe National Park, and it seems around every corner, bend in the trail, there is another AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL view, waterfall or stream. On our hiking tours, we have split our descriptions between our “All Day Hikes” described below (6+ hours) and our “Short Hikes“.
All Day Hikes
This season, we are offering three all day hikes, based on what we love best about the area. The cost for each is $85/pp and must be booked ahead of time in our high season. Lunch is included in each.
The National Park River and Jungle Trek is a true backcountry experience, hiking off trail, through a river and primary forest to arrive at one of the highest falls we know of in the area. Rural Landscapes to Rainforest is about farmlands and forest, this more traditional hike takes people from a rural community through farmland to the beautiful National Park along a pristine rainforest river. Cerro Mariposa is a rainforest mountain trek experience as we ascend from the foothills and follow the ridge of Cerro Mariposa to the summit. For those wishing to do several hikes in the area, we can guide
National Park River and Jungle Trek
Description: This a favorite hike of mine – it has a sense of true exploration about it. Travel with us by car through the Rainforest of Santa Fe National Park. Hike up a jungle river, climbing over boulders, wading through knee to waist deep water for 1-2 hours, then cut across a steep forested hill to arrive at one of the most beautiful remote waterfalls with two clear pools.
We will enjoy a swim and packed lunch at the falls.
This is not a developed tourist zone and we are off trail most of the time. We limit group size to 6 people or less.
Duration: 7 hours
Start Time: 9AM, unless otherwise arranged
Cost: $85 per person, packed lunch included
Know Before You Go:
The hike is moderately difficult to strenuous depending on your personal movement limitations. We will be scrambling over boulders, crossing rivers, and hiking short, steep slopes. This is not recommended for those with movement limitations or children under the age of 12. Since we will be traveling though the rainforest, and rain is common, please be aware that rain does not cancel your reservation unless we feel that the conditions are unsafe. (Please see Terms and Conditions) If the river is flowing fast, we will take an alternate route to minimize river crossings.
What to Bring:
Participants should bring water or a water filter.
Rural Landscapes to Rainforest, Santa Fe National Park
Description: Want an unforgettable experience with a little rainforest and a little history? Here it is. Travel with us by car to the last village and the beginning of the National Park. We then hike for 5 hours round trip on a moderately difficult footpath through an isolated community, their farmland, meeting with a historical route used for centuries in the National Park and following the Santa Maria River and its tributaries.
There are plenty of opportunities to go swimming! We pack a traditional homemade lunch. This is an appropriate trek for families with children (ages 8+) who want to make a day of hiking. But it is not an easy hike.
Book Now
This is not a developed “tourist” zone, and we limit our groups to 8 people or less.
Duration: 6 hours
Start Time: 9AM, unless otherwise arranged
Know Before You Go:
The hike is moderately difficult. We will be going up in elevation, and the path is muddy. This is not recommended for those with movement limitations or small children. Since we will be traveling though the rainforest, and rain is common, please be aware that rain does not cancel your reservation unless we feel that the conditions are unsafe. (Please see Terms and Conditions)
This hike requires river crossings. During sudden rainstorms, the water level can rise to be unsafe to cross. If conditions are unsafe, we will shorten the hike.
What to Bring:
-Shoes. The trail will be muddy- and I mean rainforest muddy. We have black, rubber boots to lend in sizes 35-46, if you wish to wear them.
-Water.
Cerro Mariposa
Cerro Mariposa is a steep climb of 600m in elevation over 3.5km in one of the most magical of rainforest places. On a cloudy day the clouds settle, clear, go over you and fog in again. You get to appreciate the beauty around you, because, well, there is no way to go fast on that trail, as you slog through mud, duck under trees and climb up embankments on a muddy trail that follows the ridgline to the windswept summit. You are surrounded by bromeliads, orchids, moss and trees! Tracks of wildlife are common. On clear days, you will have several great views of the national park to one side and the community of Santa Fe and Alto de Piedra on the other.
Duration: 8hrs
Start time: 7:30am, unless otherwise specified
Difficulty: 4/5
What to bring: Participants should bring water. There is no place to filter water on this trail.
