Cerro Chirripó Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · Lake · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

Reservations are needed for any ascent. Apply here - serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.c…

Easter is the busiest time. There is no camping and the only place to stay over night is the Base Crestones. After receiving your permit email for a reservation- info@chirripo.org. It's $35 a night.

Starting a 5000 feet and finishing at 12,000 feet, this trail is steep. This allows you to watch the forest slowly change around you. You go from rain forest to cloud forest (higher altitude fog-fed rain forest) to the above-the-treeline Paramo, which features various endemic species of flora and fauna.

Your first way station along the way is the Llano Bonito Refugio. It's around five miles in and offers snacks, drinks, some over-the-counter drugs, and bathrooms.

A steep 1.5 miles after this you start to enter the Paramo with it's bigger views.

A couple of miles from there you arrive at the bunchhouse, Base Crestones Refugio. This is where folks stop before they make their final ascent the next day. Hot meals and other services are available though of recently there is no kitchen space available for people to make their own food. Sleeping bags, blankets, soap and towels are provided, but it can get cold so you might want to bring your own bag.

The final section is relatively flat until the final short push to the granite summit. You'll feel like you are on top of the world.

Tons of birds, reptiles and obviously Tapirs and Jaguar.