gaital national park

We entered the park from the Los Mandarinos hotel - It's about 100 yards away. Just instead of turning left into Los Mandarinos, keep going straight until the dead end. Or coming from Los Mandarinos, turn left. You'll see the sign, then walk up the hill until you see the yellow shack. From there, we saw two paths, and weren't sure which to take. We took the left path, which seemed more well-defined. We hiked for about 90 minutes before the trail ended at a river, and it was really great. Completely secluded (never saw another soul), and really beautiful. The trail took us through forest, crossed a few streams, and into a wild orange grove (delicious). The trail was pretty easy, only one spot you really needed to climb, and a few where you needed your hands to brace yourself. After the trail ended we hiked up the river (it was dry season) for another 45 minutes. Other reviews mention waterfalls, but that may have been the other path, which was to the right and went more up the mountain. We didn't see any animals like sloths or monkeys, but may have been a little late in the day for that. Also we're not great at spotting things.

The trail head was a little further up the road than I expected, but just keep going (right at the fork) until you see the small yellow house that marks the beginning of the trail. The hike itself is not strenuous and is very pretty, though very wet the day we went as It had rained heavily the night before. However when we got to the mirador, it was clear and we had a wonderful view. We went a little further towards the summit, but it was way to wet and slippery so we went back down the loop. I would recommend this hike as it was an enjoyable day with spectacular views of El Valle. There is a fee if someone is there to collect it, but no one was the day we went!

The Gaital National park is a great escape from the heat of the lowlands in Panama and an easy drive out of town fromm El Valle de Anton. The entrance to the park is poorly marked, but not too bad as it is the only thing along the road other than turn offs for houses or chicken farms. It takes about 20 minutes from El Valle, driving west through town and then north up around the large peaks in the park. Drive past the entrance for the Chorro water fall or stop and enjoy since it is beautiful there. Or continue following the bumpy dirt road through beautiful sections of forest with the occasional house up onto the higher ground where your view will open up some and there will be some small farms and chicken farms you will go by. Take the right at the fork and head back northeast and eventually you will see a small yellow one room building after a few miles. This is where to park and the trail starts right htere. When we went no one was manning the booth and we were free to hike. However, when someone is there the fee is only $5. The trails go up into the park and can be steep in sectiions, but overall not difficult. The trails go through great sections of cloud forest habitat with great chances for seeing birds and other wildlife. I recommend this park for anyone looking to experience the cloud forests near El Valle.

We hiked to the top on a well marked trail. We saw sloths, butterflies, and lots of birds. The view from the top was awesome, but on the day that we went it was cloudy, so our view was partly obscured. Highly recommend this park.

You might want to get to the starting point using a car as it is a 10 minute drive uphill from el Valle. No need for a 4x4, but a tall car would fair better.For a guide you can usually get one by the ANAM station by the main Market in el Valle.the hike has 2 parts The hike to the main lookout pointvery short 10 - 30 min depending on your shape.If this is as high as you are getting, you can go dressed in shorts or however you want. It's a cleared and wide trail. The lookout point is tiny but if there is no fog the view is great.if you decide to head to the top, I strongly recommend a guide, as it's not so easy.it's not cleared, you need to wear long pants, long sleeves is a recommendation. at times you will be walking on very tiny ledges so vertigo people stay clear of this. (The ledges have ropes, as all the rock that need to be climbed)Approximately 30 to 60 min, could be more if not used to climbing rocks with ropes.also be prospered for rain and fog, even if it's rainy in el Valle.you will be muddy at the end so bring a change of clothes.Now that you've been warned.once in the lookout point you proceed into a very high dense bushy trail with some false ground, and tons of cliffs.You basically go a little uphill at a time where yes you do need to use your hands, some of us had trekking poles. About 20 minutes into the ascend, will star the steep rocks with ropes ( no need to bring, they are already there, plastic coated, so a bit slippery).Check where you place your feet.After about 5 rock climbs you get to the top, I can't say the view was great as this place is foggy 90% of the times.Also remember this is el Valle so snakes are more common here that in other trails in panama.don't go alone if you can, go with a good supporting group. Look out for each other. Bring water and snacks and a camera and your sense of adventure coated with common sense, and companionship. And you shall make it too.#CaminarEsGratis

We hiked up from Chorro el Mozo.... at least another 3.5 km to the entrance. Not your typical tourist attraction, as you pass industrial chicken farms on your way up. There was no one collecting fees at the anam house (which is fair, because the benches are poorly maintained at best). That said, it's a beautiful and peaceful 30 min hike to the mirador, a worthwhile view of el valle. Best part.... we were the only ones on the trail- other than the abundance of butterflies and orchids!

Most of the trail is rather clear and there is no risk of getting lost. Once you reach the wooden lookout platform with a small wooden ladder, be aware that the further path to the actual peak is much steeper and also much less cleared up and visible. In fact it is so much in the vegetation, that unless I had a map of the track in my phone, I would probably have thought that the path ends at the lookout platform. From there on you will need to make your way through dense vegetation and in few cases climb or almost crawl under fallen trees. In places you will need to climb up rather steep rocks, using both hands. In 3 or 4 places there are cables with knots that you can use to pull yourself up, however the knots are not always made in the right places and the plastic-covered cable is really slippery when its raining. As it was raining, I could have hardly made it without the cables though. There is also one metal cable to help you pull yourself. On top there is a very small concrete shelter-box. its just large enough for one (maybe two) persons to stand inside to get cover from rain.In my case it started raining slightly already on my final section up and once I got up there, the mountain was covered in a dense fog so I can not comment on the view from the top. When I started descending, it started raining very heavily and the path turned to a stream of water and mud. If same happens to you, be really careful when descending the steep slippery rocks. Once I got back to the wooden lookout platform, coming further down was a breeze - even though at times the water was above my ankles.

this is a real national park, however it need guides; a trip by yourself isn't difficult; 100% enjoyable; take out your camera and start to shooting; telephotos lenses highly recomended. this is not a sad zoo, it's real nature. while was into the trail We found sloth, birds, and some butterflies

We had a wonderful hike once we found the beginning of the trail. The road was poorly marked but local people were able to provide directions. The hike to the top was very enjoyable, mostly easy to moderate though there were some tough spots. The area was lush and beautiful. We were strongly encouraged to hire a guide but it clearly is not neccessary. It was exhilerating to make it to the top despite the fact that it was foggy !.

While growing up in Panama this was one of my favorites. We would visit Santa Clara beach and go to el valley. The beach is a must. In el valley the have everything one can do. The local fare is another must. Plan on staying a few days if not more.

Birds, orchids...a good way to spend half a day! Watch the weather, and your route, there is a loop at the top! Super panoramic view if you make it right to the top, well worth the hike!Also the Blue Morpho butterfly < now you see it, now you don't !>

Simple Good trek, lovely views from Mirador. Tons of orchids, insects, butterflies, exotic plants, unspoilt and nice.Remember to take a good camera!

Be prepared to be rained on regardless of how clear the sky is when you start. The weather can change very quickly.

Took a taxi to the start of the trail for 5 dollars and walked the short forest trail. Not difficult, and a nice view from the mirador. Takes about an hour, then you can hike back to town in about an hour and a half with birdwatching en route. The pool near el macho is a nice place to stop for dip.

Yes, it is a challenge walking down the right side of the trail, but I don't know if it would be so much easier to hike up the right and down the left; watch for the lookout at the top - the signage is a bit hard to spot and the trail to the lookout is overgrown. We walked up the road from El Chorro Macho through the little villages and that was quite charming (if not a bit of a long walk!).