Hiking Trails of Boquete

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Boquete is set in the beautiful mountains and highlands of Panama, with views of the continental divide and Volcano Baru. It is paradise for the active travelers and avid and casual hikers. Numerous trails can be hiked on your own, however it is always recommended to have a guide and tell someone where you plan to go, because it is very easy to get lost in the deep forest. Our guided hikes make for an informative and interesting tour featuring expert knowledge about the flora, fauna, and ecology of Panama.

Guide – Hiking Difficulty Level

EASY: Young and elderly. Someone in fair hiking condition. Trail is in good condition. Very little elevation gain.

MODERATE: Someone in good hiking condition. Trails are generally in good condition. Increased mileage. Moderate elevation gain.

CHALLENGING: Someone in good hiking condition. Trails are generally in good condition. Increased mileage. Significant elevation gain.

DIFFICULT: Someone in excellent hiking condition. Trails are generally in good condition. Significant increase in mileage. Significant increase in elevation gain.

VERY DIFFICULT: Someone in excellent hiking condition. Trails are not always in good condition. Significant increase in mileage. Significant increase in elevation gain.

EXTREME: Someone in exceptional hiking/climbing condition. Trails are not always available. Significant increase in mileage. Extreme elevation gain. Technical aspects of hike.

Boquete Cloud Forest Hiking Trails:

The Pipeline Trail

Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Length of Trail (roundtrip): 4.5 km / 2.8 miles

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Recommended Fitness Level: Children to Fit Grandparents, Most People

The Pipeline Trail is our MOST RECOMMENDED trail for our half-day hikes. It winds through the cloud forest and passes through two micro-climates, has various small wildlife, and is one of the best areas for the chance to see the Resplendent Quetzal, as well as numerous other birds. It is an easy trail that can be done with any age-group and most fitness levels. This is the perfect option if you have limited time and want to see the beautiful cloud forests of Boquete, and a chance to see the rare Quetzal during the breeding season, with your family and friends. Half-day trail, up and back takes 3 hours.

We recommend this trail in our Combo Discount Special Packages:

The Lost Waterfalls Trail

Level of Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging

Length of Trail (roundtrip): 4.5 km / 2.8 miles

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderately Fit for Steep Climbs

The Lost Waterfalls Trail is quite steep at the beginning so requires a higher fitness level. It has three gorgeous waterfalls (the third being difficult to get to). The first waterfall is easily accessible with a good flow into a canyon (no swimming) and makes for a perfect photo-op. The second waterfall, further up the trail, has great water flow into a small pool, however it is not recommended to go under the waterfall due to falling rocks. There is also a small secret cavern just next to the waterfall. The third waterfall requires a more strenuous trek and is not always accessible due to time constraints and trail maintenance. It is beautiful, but doesn’t allow for swimming due to falling rocks. The trail is very nice with gorgeous jungle scenery, however there is less chance of seeing wildlife on this trail. Half day trail, up and back takes 3 hours.

The Quetzal Trail ( TEMPORARY CLOSED)

Level of Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging (trail condition dependent on rainy season rainfall)

Length of Trail (roundtrip): 7 km / 4.34 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderately Fit for Steep Climbs and Trail Length

The Quetzal Trail is one of the most well-known trails in the area, due to it’s name, and various bird species. It winds through multiple types of forests and micro-climates and ascends/descends from 2500 meters above sea level to 1800 meters above sea level. The trail can be challenging to follow as there are many forks leading to the easy possibility of getting lost. The trail, in it’s entirety, one-way takes 4 hours to get to Cerro Punta, and 4 hours back. Another option is to drive 2 hours to Cerro Punta and hike one-way for 4-5 hours. It is very steep at the beginning and end.We only provide a hike on this trail with a minimum group number and higher price due to it’s length and difficulty. Currently, we provide this hike leaving from and returning to the Boquete side, hiking to about the trail midpoint and back, and it takes about 4 hours of hiking time. Hike starts at 7:30am in our office and returns at about 1-1:30pm depending on hiking speed.

The Volcano Baru Trail

Level of Difficulty: Difficult-Very Difficult

Length of Trail (roundtrip): 26 km / 16 miles

Hiking Time: 9-11 hours

Recommended Fitness Level: Very Fit for Extreme Steep Climb and Trail Length

AT THE MOMENT IS FROM 5AM – 5:30PM DUE TO THE NEW CURFEW COVID HOURS

The hike up Volcan Baru is a strenuous yet rewarding experience. The trail is in moderate condition, as it is a 2-track rocky road. There is an extreme elevation gain in a relatively short amount of time. The trail ascends to 3500 meters above sea level in less than 6 hours one-way, and there is a rare chance to spot various wildlife, while experiencing different forests and micro-climates. The hike is recommended overnight to arrive at the peak to see the summit sunrise from the highest point in Panama. It can reach below freezing temperatures at the peak. Up and back takes about 11 hours.

We recommend this trail in these trips: