The Solo Scale:

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Near Monteverde, the altitude combines with nature to create cloud forests. When you’re in one, it’s normal to be surrounded by cloud-cover which can produce a moist, mossy, and bio-diverse environment. There’s so much to explore if you’re a big fan of flora & fauna. One of the best options to discover that in Monteverde is to hike in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest. Here, there’s an array of trails for beginners and more advanced hikers alike.

The latter part of the name gives away the main appeal of the forest. Because this is in an ecosystem that lends itself to moisture, the forest is most often shrouded in mist and condensation. When I went, it was a rare sunny day, which offered stunning views and clear skies. However, the temperature still betrayed that we were high up (1725m high!), and certain pockets still held the “clouds”.

The forest offers multiple hiking options for the casual to the more determined hiker. The path I took was the Youth Challenge Trail. This trail is 1.4km in total and didn’t come with too many ascents or descents. That allowed for a relaxed journey through the woods that took just under an hour at the sedate pace. This was even with stopping for pictures of bugs, birds, trees, views, and more!

As you hike, you hear the call of bird-song around you, with a multitude of species around you. There’s plenty of opportunities to see the flora and fauna that Costa Rica uniquely has on display while enjoying a peaceful walk at your own pace — there’s no rush to get through it.

If you decide to go with some kind of tour group, you might end up getting a radio. I recommend turning it off as the static of a radio competes with the call of birds and the rustling leaves that truly feels a lot more zen. If you are interested in learning about the botanical families of what you’re seeing, you can always take pictures to then research them more later. On my walk, I mostly just saw some millipedes and kite birds, but the diversity of the plants and trees and the simple ambiance meant that you could simply enjoy every step on the path.

Once you arrive at the highest points of the hike, there’s a lookout tower with views of Arenal Volcano in the distance. It’s a few sets of stairs to get up there. Luckily, it’s near to the end of the hike. If you expend a lot of energy doing this, you’re in luck that you’ll be back at the start soon. Plus, that’s where there’s a café to purchase water and snacks. Up at the top (on a clear day), you can catch views of the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

For more details and to arrange your visit, visit the website here. I would recommend a few hours to journey there, do your hiking, and return to town — and ideally in the morning, so it doesn’t get too hot (though it’s cooler in Monteverde in general simply because of its location).

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