***La Hesperia- La Cuchilla

This trail starts from the Camp Site and ends at 2000m at the top named La Cuchilla, it is a moderate demanding ascend, with constant elevation gain.

The trail was recorded as mentioned starting from the Camp Site 1. On the way back you will see how to arrive back to the Volunteer House. Therefore the last instructions and pictures can be used to navigate from the Volunteer House. Or alternatively you use the seperate recorded trail "La Hesperia - Camp site 1 trail" which starts at the Volunteer House.

Summary;
Getting to the top 'La Cuchilla' is a bit more than 3.5km and with an elevation gain of +500m. The total distance is 8.80km. You will be walking uphill almost all the way. Calculate 1h 30min on the way there and a bit less, approx 1h, to return due to it only being down hill.

Details of trail;
The trail starts from the Volunteer House. You walk through the pastures of the reserve, also passing La Hacienda House and The Stables (this is the first 300m, before the trail starts ascending).

When you have passed the stables which you will see on the right, you continue straight forward on a path that leads uphill. This is the beginning of the acend. It is an easy wide path to follow with marvelous views over the pastures and the cloud forest and mountains beyond.

There is only one intersection to keep the look out for, which is presented after 1.4 km. At this intersection you turn RIGHT.

Shortly after the intersection the view opens up to the right. You can then see the white roof of the stable way below to the left.

Continue following the path. When you see the remains of a bamboo gate and enter you have arrived to Camp Site 1. From there you step into a wide open space and you will easily be able to discern the camp site with a rooflike construction and its nice view. You cut your way across straight forward. Also passing a small houselike building which is a wash room for the camp site and a tire-swing hanging from a tree.

From here and on is where the path keeps on ascending and you have approx 1h of uphill path to get to the top.

At 1,900m (2.9km) there are steeper parts, higher elevation, fresher air and a bit more difficult to ascend! But good news you are not too far to go - bit more than halv a kilometer to go (0.6km) to the top.

You have arrived when you see that the path ends and there is a clearing. There are small paths to the right which you can take, 20-30 meters in, to see if you have luck and can see a view. This depends at what point of the day you have choosen to do the hike. Best time wiuld be during the morning hours as there is best chance for sun and clearer skies. During the afternoons, the Cloud Forest, tends to be cloudy 😉

As mentioned in the beginning you will return back the same way, with the difference that you now have all downhill!

Recomendations;
Wear boots or good trekking shoes.
Take with you water and keep hydrated.
Take your time and allow for breaks, especially on the way there as it is uphill.
And ofcourse ENJOY!