La Mina Trail is one of two hiking trails that lead to the extremely popular La Mina Waterfall of El Yunque National Forest, the other one is Big Tree Trail. However, La Mina Trail starts out in an area that provides many other things to do compared to that of Big Tree’s Trailhead.
The Trailhead to La Mina Trail is located at the Palo Colorado Recreation Area, which is the hub to multiple hiking trails, the visitor center, rivers, and picnic areas. One of the other benefits to this location is the amount of parking available. There are multiple lots, with parking on both the south and the north side of the Palo Colorado Visitor Center.
Once you have parked you will find a couple access points to La Mina Trail. The hiking trail will take you past a few picnic areas and then lead you down along the same route that the La Mina River flows. This trail does not have as many twists and turns as the Big Tree Trail, but is about the same overall distance. Read more →
The Bano de Oro Trail is a short trail that originates about 150 feet up the mountain from Palo Colorado. The trail winds it’s way through the forest passing the Bano de Oro pool, many native plant species, and the La Mina River. The Bano de Oro Trail ends as it hits a junction with the El Yunque Trail.
Parking for the Bano de Oro Trail is available at both the Palo Colorado Visitor Center and across the road from the trailhead on PR 191. There is much more space available at the Palo Colorado Parking Lot.
*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.
Mount Britton Trail and Tower is a demanding, but rewarding hike. It is located at the highest access point just a short distance off to the right of where PR 191 dead ends. Take a look at our map below for a more detailed understanding of where it is. The map and pictures should also give you a better view of where to park as well as the route the hiking trail takes.
Parking for the Mount Britton Trail is congested with space only available along the sides of the road. As you pack up your car and get ready to hike make sure to double check that you brought some water and depending on the conditions, rain gear. If you are extremely lucky and it is clear at this high elevation get ready for the most amazing view of your life when you reach Mount Britton Tower.
The trail is paved and well maintained, but that does not necessarily mean it is easy. The trail starts off weaving back and forth while sharply ascending through the Sierra Palm forest towards the peak. The Palm Trees along the route are awesome, with interesting root bases. Along the trail there are a few shelters in case the weather changes on you. As you start to get close, the narrow concrete walkway will connect to the El Yunque National Forest Service Road. Once you are on the service road pay close attention for the Mt. Britton Trail Sign and Wildlife Viewing Area Sign. You will take a sharp right at those signs and head up a straight walkway to the tower. Again, if the weather is clear you are in for a treat and hopefully remembered a camera to get some great pictures from the top of Mt. Britton Tower.
The Tower, Trail and area was named afters Nathaniel Britton, a botanist that worked this region in the 1920s. The tower itself was constructed in the 1930s. Today it is a great hiking destination for those willing to put forth the effort to reach the peak.
*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.
La Coca Trail is located a fraction of a kilometer up the mountain from La Coca Waterfall. The La Coca Trailhead is located on the east side of PR 191 and has limited parking so there is a chance that you will need to park at the Yokahu Tower Parking Lot or the La Coca Waterfall Parking Lot.
If you are interested in hiking La Coca Trail you will want to check and make sure that the trail is open. The next thing you will want to do is make sure you are prepared for one of the more difficult hikes in the El Yunque National Forest Trail System. They have this trail rated as challenging and post an elevation change of 656 feet.
*A note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.
Caimitillo Trail is a short hiking trail off of PR 191 with a great Picnic Area on the trail. The Caimitillo Trailhead can be seen on our map and in our pictures below. It is located just up the mountain from the Sierra Palm Picnic Area.
There is a small parking area just across from the trailhead that only fits a couple vehicles so you might need to park at the Palo Colorado or Sierra Palm Parking lots. If you park at the Palo Colorado Parking Lot you can either hike back down the mountain on the main road or better yet access the El Yunque Trail on the west side of PR 191 (across from Palo Colorado) and hike to where the Caimitillo Trail intersects.
The Caimitillo Trail is the shortest and easiest of all the trails in El Yunque National Forest. Features in addition to the picnic area include; flowers, ferns, bamboo and numerous trees.
*One other note from the National Forest Website is that you should close windows, lock doors, and place valuables in your trunk.
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