Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you're determined to give it a shot, ask around at the Hacienda Gripiñas and be persistent.
The trail is a steep and sweaty two- to three-hour grunt.
Area Recreativa Doña Juana
RECREATION AREA
This is the area of about 3 sq miles at the eastern end of the park surrounding the ranger
station. You will find picnic sites, toilets, showers, the camping area and a half-dozen short
trails branching off Hwy 143. Come here in the winter and the place will probably look
empty and abandoned. One trail leads to the swimming pool, open in summer only. Three
others lead to the observation tower, less than a half-mile south of the highway.
Hiking
There are approximately 11 miles of trails around Doña Juana, but mostly they are short
walks to the swimming pool. Always consult with the ranger station for longer hikes.
Camino El Bolo
HIKE
Across from the visitor's center, through the parking lot, you'll spot a narrow trail heading
uphill. That's El Bolo, a 2.5-mile jaunt that takes you up to a mountain ridge and great
southern views, and then crosses Vereda La Torre to take you even higher. It's best to
come down on the same path; the path ends at narrow Hwy 143, which has too many blind
corners for a comfortable return.
Vereda La Torre
HIKE
A very popular and easy path that starts in the Area Recreativa Doña Juana, La Torre goes
up to an observation tower with some great views. The 2-mile trail starts at the picnic tables
and slowly gets more hilly and rough as you ascend. You'll see a tiny road feed into Vereda
after about 20 minutes of walking - that's Camino El Bolo. Take a slight left to continue
on to the observation tower.
Tours
Acampa Nature Adventure Tours
HIKING
( 706-0695;
www.acampapr.com
;
1221 Av Jesús T Piñero, San Juan)
Offers one
day hiking/adventure tours to the Toro Negro rainforest. The excursion involves hiking/
scrambling along the Quebrada Rosa River, rappelling off a 60ft cliff and zip-lining 200ft
