Hiking Trails
Corcovado Park Trail: Wake up early and make your way to the world-famous Corcovado National Park, one of the places with the most biodiversity in the world. To visit the national park, you will need at least half a day to make sure you take your time to enjoy. There must be a certificated nature guide with you to be able to get into the park. Please come to the front desk; we will be happy to organize everything for you.
Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km)
Rainforest Trail: If you have had lunch in Bar El Bosque, marveling at the number of birds and monkeys on this (the east-southeast) side of the property, take this circular trail for a closer look (marked blue). It’s the main level, following a ridge before descending to a small stream and climbing back up to intersect the tractor trail just below the rotunda.
Distance: 1.2 miles (1.9 km).
Toucan Trail: Easy circular trail (marked yellow) named after the toucans that are frequently found in this area but also visited by many birds and mammals, including occasionally, a juvenile puma spotted basking by the stream.
Distance: 1 mile (1.6kms).
Waterfall and Beach Trail
From the tractor pick-up point by the boathouse, follow the coast past the rock pools to the long beach, and on beyond the picnic area, along the shaded jungle edge to the waterfall.
Tinamu Trail
The longest trail on the property, where you will have enough time to spot most of the wildlife around the property. We recommend walking early in the morning before it gets too hot because the animals are more active. Please make sure to bring water with you.
Distance: 1.7 miles (2 km)
Cotinga Trail
Very easy walk along the rainforest on a very flat trail. We do recommend this trail, especially for people with limited mobility and children. The trail is wider than the other to make it nice and easy for anyone that decides to explore around. Cotinga is one of the most beautiful birds that you can spot in the rainforest.
Distance: 0.3 miles (0.4 kilometers)
Several other trails on the property can be explored in the company of a guide. We also offer two scheduled tours within the grounds – the Early Bird and the Night Tour, and you’ll find details in the following section.
RESPONSIBLE HIKING
Please never walk alone on any of the trails, and inform the front desk where you are going before you start hiking. The trails are clearly marked, color-coded, and circular. Stay on the established trails, and for your own safety, don’t eat forest fruits or touch plants, animals, or insects, as a surprising number contain toxins.
Let our team know before you set out, and check in again when you return. Wearing closed footwear (no sandals) with good traction is important. Rubber boots are a good option, especially in the rainy season, and are available in all sizes from the Gear House.
THE LOCAL PUMA
With such a high concentration of birds and mammals in our private reserve and the neighboring national park, SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge is an ideal habitat for predators. Since October 2012, there have been several sightings of a puma. He is sufficiently habituated to the comings and goings of the staff and guests to sometimes share our trails and cross open areas, making him relatively easy to spot.
In the lucky event of spotting a puma:
- Do NOT approach the animals
- Do NOT run or turn your back
- Do pick up children (without bending down)
- Do back away slowly and steadily
- Do maintain eye contact, speak loudly and firmly
- Do try to appear as big as possible