El Yunque Summit Cloud Forest Hike
Ascend to the island's highest peak through layers of endemic cloud forest, home to rare plants and birds found nowhere else in the world.
- 1
El Yunque Trailhead
The trail to El Yunque (915m) begins at the forest edge above the village, climbing steadily through tree ferns and endemic laurel species.
- 2
Helecho Forest Zone
Dense tree fern forest covers the mid-slopes, its fronds creating a primeval canopy draped in moss and inhabited by the endemic Juan Fernández tit-tyrant.
- 3
Endemic Plant Observatory
Pause to observe endemic species including the Juan Fernández tree, cabbage tree, and numerous ferns found only on this remote Pacific archipelago.
- 4
Cloud Forest Zone
Above 700m the forest is perpetually shrouded in cloud, dripping with moisture and alive with the calls of the critically endangered Juan Fernández firecrown.
- 5
El Yunque Summit (915m)
The summit, named for its anvil shape (yunque means anvil), breaks above the cloud layer with views of the entire island and the surrounding Pacific.
- 6
Descending Ridge Trail
The return ridge trail passes through open grassland on the leeward side, offering views toward Bahía del Padre and the uninhabited eastern coast.
Walk this route with audio
Stories play automatically as you reach each stop — no tapping needed.
