On April 22nd, we celebrated Earth Day by taking a hike in Costa Rica near Arenal Volcano. In 1968, this volcano erupted without warning for three days straight, and dramatically changed the surrounding landscape.
Hiking Arenal
As soon as we saw Arenal Volcano looming in the distance, we wanted to hike it. It juts out of the ground and sharply ascends toward the sky, just beckoning you to seek out its summit.
Unfortunately, you can’t hike to the top to this peak. This is still considered an active volcano. And although tours used to take hikers up, it’s neither legal or safe to do this anymore. In fact, to remain outside the high-risk danger zone, you can’t get within 1 kilometer of the base of the volcano.
Nonetheless, there are a few trails to get you close enough to feel Arenal’s mystique – including El Silencio trail, Los Tucanes Trail, the 1968 Trail, and Arenal Volcano National Park.
After a bit of research, we opted for the Arenal 1968 trail. Immediately adjacent to the National Park, the Arenal 1968 Park is a private reserve with trails that cross the lava fields and provide you with unobscured views of the volcano’s west side.
Choosing which trail to hike
There are two hiking options when you arrive at Arenal 1968 Park.
- The “Bosque 1968” Trail (the forest trail)
- The “Colada 1968” Trail (the lava flow trail)
You can hike either trail without a guide, and the primary difference between the two is their distance. The entrance fee to the park is the same, regardless of which trail you use.
The Bosque 1968 trail (shown above in yellow) is 4.7 kilometers long and takes you through the rainforest and around Los Patos lake before rejoining the Colada 1968 trail on it’s approach to the summit. This route is also more strenuous in terms of its terrain and involves several short, steep ascents.
The Colado 1968 trail (shown above in red) is 2.5 kilometers, and sticks primarily to the lava fields the entire way. The trail is well graded and better suited for visitors of all ages and skills.
Both trails form a loop, and are walked in a clockwise direction. Shortly before the ascent to the volcano observation point, the two trails merge together. From there, they remain together as they complete the circuit back through the lava field back toward the park’s entrance.
The Bosque 1968 trail
We opted for the longer of the two trails during our visit to Arenal so we could maximize the experience. The trails begin at the same point and head to a scenic overlook where you can take in the volcano at the start of your journey.
Shortly thereafter the two paths diverge, and we followed the signs to the Bosque trail and into the rainforest. The first thing we noticed was the loud humming of cicadas. But, soon that became background noise and we started noticing birds singing and flying from tree to tree.
As we continued further into the rainforest, we kept our eyes peeled for wildlife – hoping to see something exotic. Many of the animals are noctural, so the majority of what we saw included birds, butterflies, and leaf cutter ants.
Before long we made it to Los Patos lake, where we also noticed lots of waterfowl standing on the edge of the water. Then a short rain storm rolled over us, and we could see the rain steadily falling on the lake, while we remained protected under the canopy in the rainforest. It was a surreal experience to take cover under nature’s umbrella.
Lava fields
After we passed the lake and climbed a few more steep ascents, we joined the Colada 1968 trail as while weaving our way through Arenal’s lava fields. This trail was a stark contrast from our more traditional jungle trail on the first part of our trek.
And before we knew it, we were at the volcano observation point with superb views of Arenal. The clouds kept obscuring the very top of the volcano, but otherwise, we had terrific views. We could even see the grayish-black scars coming down the the mountain where the lava flowed down the volcano’s sides 51 years ago.
In the opposite direction of the volcano, you also get outstanding views of Lake Arenal. This lake is actually a reservoir that feeds one of the many hydroelectric plants in Costa Rica.
After a lengthy opportunity to take it all in, we worked down into the lava fields again to make our way back toward the park’s entrance. The hike down was easy and gave us plenty of time and reflect on the awesome power of Mother Nature.
Tips if you want to visit Arenal 1968
Getting there. There aren’t any buses or shuttles between La Fortuna and Arenal 1968 Park. If you have a rental car, it’s a quick 15 kilometer drive. Just head west on Hwy 142 and turn left at the signs for the national park. Or, you’ll can hire a taxi or a book tour from town.
Parking. There is no fee to park your car at Arenal 1968 Park. There’s a wide dirt parking lot immediately in front of the information and ticket counter.
Entrance Fees. The cost for the park is $15 for non-residents. This is the same cost as entrance into the national park, and the trails here tend to be better maintained, so you’ll get better views of Arenal.
Hours. Arenal 1968 Park is open from 8 am to 6 pm daily.
Bathrooms. The only bathrooms are located near the main entrance. So make sure you use them before you head out on the trail.
What to Bring. It’s a good idea to bring a bottle of water, especially if you plan to take the longer Bosque 1968 trail. Other items, you may want to consider include – sunscreen and a hat (during the dry season) or a rain jacket (during the wet season). And of course bring a camera so you can take lots of photos!
Bugs. You probably won’t need bug spray. I brought some along in my daypack just in case, but the bugs weren’t noticeable, even in the rainforest section of our hike.