1968 Arenal Volcano Hike
May 18th, 2024
Embark on an exhilarating journey up the Arenal Volcano, where every step tells the story of its explosive past. Traverse rugged trails and witness panoramic views, immersing yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of Costa Rica's iconic landmark.
Arrival at the Trail
After a rainy morning exploring La Fortuna Waterfall, we decided, after eating at Soda La Hormiga, to go and check out the Arenal Volcano 1968 hike. The boys were unprepared for this hike as they wore flip flops, at least my shoes were water proof and had a back strap. I would definitely recommend closed shoes or sandals for this hike as there are tons of roots and rocks that can be stumbled upon. We drove to the Arenal parking lot and checked in at the front gate. Here we bought tickets since we didn’t buy them in advance. They will run you $25/person. The location for this hike is remote, and the parking is monitored. If you are stopping by on your way to your next check-in, I would feel safe leaving luggage in the car. After you park, head to the check-in office where they will instruct you to take a picture of the map with your phone because the park is eco-friendly and paperless. To the left of the check-in office there are walking sticks available if you choose to use them, and then it’s off to the hike.
Trail #1 Green
The green trail, is identified as the easier of the three trails. At 1,755 meters you can expect to spend about 30 minutes - 1 hour walking leisurely along the flat loop trail before the you get to the base of Volcano. The lush foliage and vibrant flora pave the way for you on this path.
Trail #2 Yellow
The yellow trail was 3,045 meters and took us about an hour to complete. This is the trail we decided to take because we wanted to see the overlook of Arenal but were also limited on time as we needed to make it back to town for our massage appointment, which was booked by our wonderful Airbnb host. The trail started out on the green flat trail through the forest. There were literally no bugs, and because of that we felt we had chosen the perfect time to visit. The flat trail turned steeper once we reached the basin of the volcano. From here, we had to walk up a series of switchbacks on the trail, which was mostly rock but well-maintained.
When we reached the outlook, we were met with a replica of the volcano and a model of the trails, which was cool to see. The sight of steam rising from the volcano added to the dramatic landscape. Despite the rain and clouds obscuring the very top of the volcano, the contrast between the lush green foliage and the volcanic rock was striking and unique.
On the way down, it was still raining, but luckily Costa Rica is warm, so we were still in t-shirts and shorts. There were a couple of sections coming down that were steep and required hanging on to a rope. About halfway down, we reached a picnic area where you could stop and relax.
Trail #3 Red
The longest trail is the red trail number three, which is 4,980 meters long. This trail is unique because it goes around Lago Los Patos Lake. It combines with the Yellow Trail and takes you to the summit, but after the summit, it splits off around the basin of Arenal Volcano and leads you to the lake where you can spot tons of wildlife.
At the end of the hike, the path leads you past some medicinal plants they are growing and will lead you to the restaurant, the Lava 68’ cafe which has an amazing view of Arenal Volcano and the Lake Arenal. There you can take pictures with the entire volcano in the background, and there are a few hammocks overlooking the lake, making for a great photo spot. I would 100% do this hike again. A guide could provide more history and more information about the wildlife which could make the hike even more interesting. After hanging out in that area for a little while, we headed back to the parking lot and on to our next adventure.
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Mentions & Links
AirBNB: Habana House & Natural Pool, La Fortuna, Costa Rica 2 bedroom, 1 bath, up to 8 guests
1968 Arenal Volcan Hike Review
The Arenal Volcano hike exceeded all our expectations and provided a truly memorable experience.
Overall, the Arenal Volcano hike is a must-do for anyone visiting the area. The combination of well-maintained trails, stunning overlooks, and unique natural features makes it an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!
