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Cerro Chirripó National Park |
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Page 1 of 4 This is one of Costa Rica's wilder parks, but relatively accessible by foot. Much of the rugged terrain has been protected from development and exploitation by its inaccessibility. Besides the challenge of climbing Costa Rica's highest peak (Cerro Chirripó) there are miles of trails that wind through more ecological zones than you will find in most entire countries.
The number one attraction in Chirripó national park is climbing Cerro Chirripó Grande, the highest peak in Costa Rica. The views are spectacular, on a clear day, you can see the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean sea simultaneously.
It is long -9 miles (15 km), steep- nearly 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) of elevation gain, and strenuous climb, but there are mountain huts (refugios) where you can spend the night so you don't have to carry a tent. The first at Llano Bonito is less than half way to the peak, smaller and more rustic and most hikers headed to the summit continue to the main shelter Centro Ambientalista El Paraíso. The Centro was rebuilt in 2000 with river rock walls, a tin roof and bunks for 40 backpackers. It is nominally heated and supplied with solar generated electricity for an hour or so after dark.
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