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Cerro Chato Crater Lake loop from Entrance Rio Fortuna Waterfall

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Cerro Chato Crater Lake loop from Entrance Rio Fortuna Waterfall

Moderate

4.6

(38)

307

hikers

Cerro Chato Crater Lake loop from Entrance Rio Fortuna Waterfall

03:20

6.29km

660m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: July 22, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.77 km

Restricted Area Sign – Arenal Volcano National Park

Highlight • Rest Area

Access to the national park is clearly forbidden (see sign after 2km). I continued to follow the track as described here - and was stopped by rangers who pointed out to me that the access ban was observed. Please stay tuned and do not do this tour.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.06 km

Steep Trail Section in Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal

Highlight • Trail

Strength required and consider weather

Translated by Google •

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2.57 km

Steep Climb with Carved Face – Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal

Highlight • Climb

3.02 km

View of Arenal Volcano and Crater Lake

Highlight • Viewpoint

Half way down to the crater lake we found this view spot .. with some luck you can have the same view!

Tip by

3.06 km

Swimming Spot at the Crater Lake (Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal)

Highlight • Lake

The way down is extremely steep and with clouds and light rain it is muddy and slippery.

Translated by Google •

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3.09 km

Cerro Chato Crater Lake

Highlight • Lake

Closed for the time being due to many poisonous snakes on the way.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.32 km

View of Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal

Highlight • Viewpoint

4.55 km

Viewpoint at the Start of the Cerro Chato Trail

Highlight • Viewpoint

When you get to the platform you have to turn left as shown in the picture.

Tip by

6.29 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.90 km

2.36 km

890 m

122 m

Surfaces

3.16 km

2.36 km

757 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Wednesday 22 July

27°C

21°C

97 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

December 30, 2021,Cerro Chato

This a really difficult and partly dangerous hike, if it starts raining. Don't leave too late like we did totally underestimating the hike. We didn't make it too the crater, because the "trail" down was basically a mud slide

October 15, 2021,Trail to Cerro Chato

Tough trail
Hiking boots recommended
Don‘t take the route left at the top. Go straight to the lake
Trails are slippery
Not for beginners, physical fitness mandatory
Official parking at arenal lodge possible, adjust accordingly
Start early in the day to avoid rain showers

March 15, 2025,Cerro Chato

A challenging but doable hike with small, safe climbing sections. It's not illegal to do this hike! However, you do have to drive to the Waterfall Lodge and pay $15, as it's largely private property. You can also park your car there and even take a shower afterward. You'll be rewarded with a cool dip in Cerro Charto's crater lake …

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Cerro Chato Crater Lake loop from Entrance Rio Fortuna Waterfall

Restricted Area Sign – Arenal Volcano National Park

Steep Trail Section in Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal

Steep Climb with Carved Face – Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal

View of Arenal Volcano and Crater Lake

Swimming Spot at the Crater Lake (Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal)

Cerro Chato Crater Lake

View of Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal

Viewpoint at the Start of the Cerro Chato Trail

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