Molly2

It's great to have the major details of our CR trip out of the way and be able to ask less weighty questions!

I am wondering about hikes and tours from the Arenal Observatory Lodge:
Their website lists a hike up Cherro Chato. Have any of you done this hike, and have any comments? Is it worth doing as a tour, or can it easily be hiked independently? We are used to hiking fairly difficult, long trails {dayhikes}, but have only a fair sense of direction, and do not wish to become lost!

It seems that it is fine to sign up for tours once we arrive at the lodge. True? We'd rather, since we have a few days, and can pick and choose activities based on the weather.

Many thanks!

bkeenan2vt

Well we just got back from CR and did that exact hike. First off if you are staying at the Arenal Observatory Lodge you do not need to pay for the tour. The trail literally starts at the Lodge.

It's a really tough hike. Starts out okay but then it is literally straight up for about 90 minutes. The hike back down is even difficult (very steep). Once at the top you have a decnet view of the crater lake but if you wanted to swim in it, it's difficult to get to. From there you can apparently hike down to a waterfall but we were short on water so we turned around when we got to the view of the lake. Again, it's a challenging hike but if we had more water (brought 2 liters) we would have went further. We also got caught in a huge rainstorm on the way back down which made the trail difficult to navigate. I loved it but my girlfriend didnt care for it much.

Molly2

Thanks very much, bkennan. The information is very helpful!

I think that we'll get an early start to try to beat the rain, and will bring LOTS of water!

mlestock

Molly2,

I would LOVE to hear more about this hike, as I am planning it for my trip in Nov. Any information is appreciated. Thanks!

[email protected]

Molly2

mlestock, regretfully, fickle weather conditions made us decide not to venture on this hike. I can tell you that a group came into the restaurant one night, wet, mucky, and absolutely exhausted-looking. I was told at the desk that it's a difficult hike with good views but little in the way of wildlife.

If any one else has done this hike, I too would like to know what it's like!

stillriver

Would like to know if anyone has done the Cerro Chato hike and can give me a good description as to how difficult it is.