How to get there:
This peak (volcano) is located in the Cerro Verde
National Park. The park has visitor facilities including
a nice hotel on/near the summit of Cerro Verde, one of
three volcanoes in the park.
The park is located north-west of the capital San Salvador.
There is parking for visitors near the top. This location is
N13.8268, W89.62417, elevation about 2020 meter.
Route::
A quick summary of the peaks climbed in Central America.
There are 2 routes, from the south and from the north. If you want to
visit the absolutely highest point (as opposed to just reaching the
rim) you should go from the north. The hiking between the two points along the rim
may not be permitted due to the protection of some endangered hawks.
The north route starts at
a park ranger station
located at N13.86924, W89.62014, elevation
about 1780 meter. A dirt road suitable for 4WD vehicles serves this location. This road
forks off the main road to Cerro Verde part-way down the hill. check local park authorities.
A permit and a guide may be required in order to access this starting point.
From this trailhead, a clear and big (YDS class 1) trail will take you all the
way to the crater rim. Turn left on the rim, a short walk will then get you to a
summit marker. You pass across an equally (competing) high area along the rim about
100 meter before arriving at the official high point.
The crater, with a small lake, is impressive and quite deep.
Comments:
We stayed at the hotel located near the summit of Cerro Verde. Thus, a short
drive got us to the trailhead serving the north rim.
The 600 meter (vertical) climb required
about 1:15, we arrived at the rim
in fog and with a fairly cold wind. After about 30 more minutes the rest
of our party arrived. A brief stay with everybody, the fog persisted and
we descended back down without having seen much of the crater.
Returning to our hotel, this was an easy last day. We checked out and left
for our new "base camp" Bitcoin Beach, also known
as El Zonte.
