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Gringo Tour´s Comprehensive Guide to Hiking in El Salvador

Itroduction to hiking in El Salvador

Hiking in El Salvador offers an exciting and diverse outdoor experience, set against a backdrop of dramatic landscapes and rich natural beauty. The country, located in Central America, is home to towering volcanoes, lush rainforests, winding rivers, and pristine beaches, making it a haven for adventurers and nature lovers. With a variety of trails ranging from beginner-friendly paths to challenging summit hikes, El Salvador’s terrain provides something for every level of hiker.

One of the country’s most famous hikes is up Ilamatepeq (also known as Cerro Verde), a dormant volcano that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the nearby Izalco and Coatepeque lakes. The Ruta de Las Flores, a scenic route through the western highlands, features several short but rewarding hikes that pass through coffee plantations, waterfalls, and charming towns. For those seeking a more adventurous challenge, summiting the active San Miguel or San Vicente volcanoes provides a thrilling experience with views that stretch across the Pacific coastline and the country’s mountainous interior.

In addition to volcanic hikes, El Salvador’s cloud forests, particularly those in the Montecristo National Park, offer cooler temperatures and a chance to experience the unique biodiversity of the region, including rare orchids, hummingbirds, and other tropical species. The diversity of ecosystems, combined with relatively accessible trail systems, makes El Salvador a hidden gem for hiking and exploration.

Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer or someone simply looking to connect with nature, hiking in El Salvador provides an opportunity to discover the country’s incredible natural landscapes, rich culture, and welcoming communities.

Gringo Tours experience arranging specialized hikes in El Salvador

When I opened Gringo Tours back in 2007, I really had no idea of which specific areas of tourism I would end up offering. I did know that I wanted everything we do to be as sustainable as possible, which back in 2005-2007 when I was figuring this out meant being as just as possible with those we partner with and back then this in large meant paying people especially local guides what they deserve. Many times that meant investing time and money in training and equipping locals with what they needed to provide a high quality service. Many times it was just sending them enough business so they could see the potential economic benefits of working in tourism in a country that was still not seen as a destination to world travelers.
Post pandemic I started receiving requests from Europeans, South Americans and from a few people from the United States to climb some of our less known volcanoes. At first I would discourage those inquiring as most of these hikes were not in National Parks and it was common knowledge that in many cases there was obvious dangers which varied from local gangs to getting lost in remote areas that offered no real trails.

I have always considered myself resourceful so I started checking with others working in tourism and today we have guides for most of the hikes known in El Salvador. Which over the past years has made it possible to offer hikes that even basic information is hard to find and in most cases we can keep the rates accessible for most travelers but in many cases getting to the trail head is more expensive that the actual hikes. Today with some advance notice we are able to offer hikes to the top of the San Miguel (Chaparrastique) Volcano, Tecapa Volcano and Laguna de Alegria, San Vicente (Chichontepec) Volcano, Boquerón, crater descent and crater ridge as well as the much more common hikes up the Santa Ana and Izalco Volcanoes. Below I have added details for most of the hikes we can arrange or coordinate with local guides in each area.

Hike details and general information

El Impossible National Park

  • Location: Ahuachapán Department, western El Salvador.
  • Entrance Fees: Nationals: $3 USD | Foreigners: $6 USD
  • Guide Fees: $25–40 USD per group
  • Popular Hikes:
    • El Imposible Pass: ~5 miles (8 km), altitude gain ~1,640 feet (500 m)
      • Duration: 3–4 hours
    • Cerro León Trail: ~8 miles (13 km), altitude gain ~3,280 feet (1,000 m)
      • Duration: 5–6 hours
    • Guayacán Trail: ~2.5 miles (4 km), altitude gain ~820 feet (250 m)
      • Duration: 1.5–2 hours

Montecristo National Park

  • Location: Northern El Salvador.
  • Entrance Fees: Nationals: $3 USD | Foreigners: $6 USD
  • Guide Fees: $20–$40 USD
  • Popular Hikes:
    • El Trifinio: ~4 miles (6.4 km), altitude gain ~1,968 feet (600 m)
      • Duration: 3–4 hours

Cerro Verde National Park

  • Location: Santa Ana Department.
  • Entrance Fees: Nationals: $1 USD | Foreigners: $3 USD
  • Guide Fees:
    • Santa Ana Vulcano: $3 USD per person
    • Izalco Volcano: $5 USD per person
  • Popular Hikes:
    • Santa Ana Volcano: ~4.6 miles (7.5 km), altitude gain ~3,600 feet (1,100 m)
      • Duration: 4–5 hours
    • Izalco Volcano: ~5 miles (8 km), altitude gain ~3,900 feet (1,200 m)
      • Duration: 4–6 hours

Boquerón Volcano (San Salvador Volcano)

  • Location: San Salvador Department, just outside the city of San Salvador.
  • Entrance Fees:
    • Nationals: $1 USD
    • Foreigners: $2 USD
  • Guide Fees:
    • A local guide is highly recommended for safety and navigation when descending into the crater.
    • Guide fees range from $15–30 USD depending on group size.
  • Popular Hikes:
    • Boquerón Crater Rim: ~3 miles (4.8 km), altitude gain ~820 feet (250 m).
      • Duration: 1.5–2 hours round-trip.
    • El Picacho Peak: ~4.3 miles (7 km), altitude gain ~2,132 feet (650 m).
      • Duration: 3–4 hours round-trip.
    • Hike to the Bottom of Boquerón Crater (El Boqueroncito):
      • Distance: ~2.5 miles (4 km) round-trip.
      • Altitude Gain: ~656 feet (200 m) descent into the crater.
      • Duration: 2–3 hours round-trip.
      • Description: This trail is more challenging due to the steep, rugged descent into the crater itself. While the hike around the crater rim is popular, the trail to the crater’s base takes you into the heart of the volcanic caldera, offering unique views of lava rock formations and vegetation.
      • Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult, due to the steepness and rocky terrain. It’s essential to have good footwear and stamina for climbing back up.
  • Tips:
    • Guides Required: Though the hike around the crater rim can be done independently, it’s strongly advised to hire a guide for the descent into El Boqueroncito due to its more challenging nature and for safety.
    • Weather Considerations: The descent can become slippery after rain, so try to schedule this hike during dry weather.
    • Bring Water: There are no water sources along the trail, and the hike back up can be strenuous.
    • Wildlife: You may encounter a variety of local wildlife and endemic plants within the crater.

The hike to the bottom of Boquerón Crater offers an immersive experience, going beyond the typical rim hikes and giving adventurers a close-up view of the volcanic interior. The descent is steep but rewarding, especially for those looking for something a bit more off the beaten path.

Chaparrastique Vulcano (San Miguel Vulcano)

  • Location: San Miguel Department.
  • Entrance Fees: No official entrance fees
  • Guide Fees: $20–50 USD
  • Popular Hike:
    • Summit Hike: ~5 miles (8 km), altitude gain ~4,200 feet (1,280 m)
      • Duration: 5–6 hours

San Vicente Volcano (Chichontepec)

  • Location: San Vicente Department.
  • Entrance Fees: No official entrance fees
  • Guide Fees: $30–50 USD
  • Popular Hike:
    • Summit Trail: ~6.2 miles (10 km), altitude gain ~5,000 feet (1,524 m)
      • Duration: 5–7 hours

Alegria

  • Location: Usulután Department.
  • Entrance Fees: Nationals: $0.50–1 USD | Foreigners: $3 USD
  • Guide Fees: $10–15 USD
  • Popular Hike:
    • Laguna de Alegría Trail: ~1.5 miles (2.4 km), altitude gain ~328 feet (100 m)
      • Duration: 1–1.5 hours

Conchagua Volcano

  • Location: La Unión Department.
  • Entrance Fees: No official entrance fees
  • Guide Fees: $25–40 USD
  • Popular Hike:
    • Summit Trail: ~3.7 miles (6 km), altitude gain ~1,640 feet (500 m)
      • Duration: 3–4 hours

Hikes in Morazán

  • Location: Northeastern El Salvador.
  • Entrance Fees:
    • Cerro El Pericón: $2–3 USD for foreigners
    • Río Sapo Area: Free entry
  • Guide Fees: $15–30 USD
  • Popular Hikes:
    • Cerro El Pericón: ~4 miles (6.4 km), altitude gain ~2,300 feet (700 m)
      • Duration: 3–4 hours
    • Río Sapo Area: ~5 miles (8 km), altitude gain ~656 feet (200 m)
      • Duration: 2–3 hours

Difficult Hikes in Chalatenango

  • Location: Northern El Salvador.
  • Entrance Fees:
    • El Pital: $1 USD for nationals, $3 USD for foreigners
    • Cerro Eramón: $1 USD for nationals, $3 USD for foreigners
  • Guide Fees: $20–50 USD
  • Popular Hikes:
    • El Pital: ~7.5 miles (12 km), altitude gain ~2,625 feet (800 m)
      • Duration: 5–6 hours
    • Cerro Eramón: ~4 miles (6.4 km), altitude gain ~2,130 feet (650 m)
      • Duration: 3–4 hours

Guazapa Mountain (Guazapa Tours)

  • Location: San Salvador Department.
  • Entrance Fees: No official entrance fees, tours by Guazapa Tours
  • Guide Fees:
    • Historical Guazapa Hike: $20–30 USD per person
    • Nature and History Walk: $15–25 USD per person
  • Popular Hikes:
    • Historical Guazapa Hike: ~6.2 miles (10 km), altitude gain ~1,640 feet (500 m)
      • Duration: 3–4 hours
    • Nature and History Walk: ~3.7 miles (6 km), altitude gain ~984 feet (300 m)
      • Duration: 2–3 hours

Cinquera Ecoforest

  • Location: Cabañas Department.
  • Entrance Fees: Nationals: $1 USD | Foreigners: $3 USD
  • Guide Fees: $10–20 USD
  • Popular Hikes:
    • Main Cinquera Forest Trail: ~3.1 miles (5 km), altitude gain ~820 feet (250 m)
      • Duration: 2–3 hours
    • Cascada El Saltón Trail: ~2.5 miles (4 km), altitude gain ~656 feet (200 m)
      • Duration: 1.5–2 hours

Summary of Duration by Difficulty:

  • Easy to Moderate: Laguna de Alegría (1–1.5 hours), Boquerón Crater (1.5–2 hours), Cascada El Saltón (1.5–2 hours).
  • Moderate: Santa Ana Volcano (4–5 hours), Cerro León (5–6 hours), Guazapa Historical Hike (3–4 hours).
  • Difficult: Chaparrastique Volcano (5–6 hours), El Pital (5–6 hours), San Vicente Volcano (5–7 hours).
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