07 Apr Hiking Picacho in Panama
By Jane Wilson
When I first moved to Panama from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, I was excited to learn that Panama has many hiking areas and National Parks . Living in Calgary close to the Rocky Mountains, I was an avid hiker and was spoiled with many different trails. Now that I am living in Coronado, I am discovering many hiking trails accessible from this area. This is a great way to see more of Panama, be active, and also to meet other hikers in the area.
There are two Picacho Mountain hikes that start from the same location. Cerro Picacho is the fourth highest mountain in Panama. It is 2,874 meters in elevation (9,429 feet).
Sendero Cerro Picacho Mirador
Hiking level: 6/10 Easy to Moderate
Distance of Hike: 3km round trip
Elevation: 103 M (334 Ft)
Duration of hike: 1.5 hours approximately
The drive to this first hike is very scenic through several Panamanian towns and, with the climb, you will get amazing views. Along the way, there are a few fruit and vegetable stands. On the way back to Coronado after the hike, there is an area to pull over to take even more pictures of the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.
Driving directions to this hike are very easy. From Coronado, turn left at the entrance to Las Lajas off the Inter-American highway. It is a 21 km drive where you follow the road to a Y intersection. Turn at the Laguna sign, drive on a dirt road for approximately 10 minutes arriving at the Laguna. The trailhead has a sign posted Sendero Cerro Picacho. You can park just before the entrance of the laguna.
Park on side of road before this entrance
For this first hike, you follow the trail, which is a steady yet moderate climb for about 15 to 20 minutes depending on your pace, where you will arrive at a clearing. Continue to follow the trail to the right, and you will see a viewing area on top. Keep walking towards it, which is accessible from a road in Altos Del Maria and actually has steps all the way to the viewing area which gives you an amazing view of the ocean and the surrounding area.
You will need good walking shoes, and even better would be hiking boots. Also recommended is using one or two poles. Taking along a small daypack with snacks and water, this hike can be done without a guide. This hike can be rocky, and there is some loose gravel on the way down. It is a lot more enjoyable in the dry season. Once the rainy season starts, it can be very wet and slippery.
Amazing views even from this height
Sendero Cerro Picacho
Hiking level: 7.5/10 Moderate to Difficult
Distance of Hike: 2km
Elevation: 285m (935 ft)
Duration of hike: 2 to 2.5 hours approximately
This hike starts at the same location as the Mirador hike. When arriving at the opening, make a left turn to start the ascent. It is very gradual, and gets steeper the closer you get to the peak. It is recommended to go at a moderate pace as you will need to stop to catch your breath. There are rocks and loose gravel. The reward at the top is quite breath taking, and you can see for miles around. The descent is very challenging and should be done at a slower pace, with lots of loose gravel and shale. A good pair of walking shoes is very important as well as poles to help you. When completing this hike, you feel very exhilarated. You will need plenty of water and snacks which you can enjoy when sitting at the top of the peak. It can also be very windy, and this adds another factor to the hike. This is one hike to avoid in the rainy season as it would very slippery.
Laguna below
Picacho