GaryM - Mar 21, 2019 10:53 am Date Climbed: Feb 28, 2019
Closed
The road to Cerro Chato begins at the parking lot to the La Fortuna waterall (catarata La Fortuna) but as of Feb 2019 Cerro Chato is closed.
Made it to the falls but not Cerro Chato.
Sarah Simon - Dec 16, 2016 9:10 am Date Climbed: Dec 6, 2016
Steamy jungle hike
What fun! We did the hike from the traditional trailhead. Neat how the trail takes you from open grassy slopes with distant views into a dense cloud forest. "Climbing" steep clay and rutted mud is certainly a unique experience.we hiked down into the crater but didn't brave the cold water for a swim.
jakegarber - May 9, 2016 6:28 pm Date Climbed: Feb 23, 2016
volcano swim
Muggy hike on rutted trail up through the rainforest to the top for a great view of the lake inside and Arenal Volcano in the distance. Some friendly Coati's were hanging around hoping for some scraps of food. We decided to hike around to the other rim and then down to the lake inside the mouth of the volcano to take a dip. The water was a unique blue color and VERY cold but felt great after a long hot hike!
Tasaio - Jan 25, 2016 5:12 am Date Climbed: Dec 15, 2014
Nice Hike
This was our first hike after arriving is Costa Rica. We were staying at the Arenal Observatory Lodge (recommendable). We hiked up Chero Chato and back down to the lodge in four hours. Not really difficult but quite muddy walk. We did not descent to the Laguna. We found the hike to be very enjoyable and close to nature.
slychels04 - Feb 12, 2014 7:24 am Date Climbed: Feb 1, 2014
Very steep climb in the mud!
My husband and I climbed from the Green Falls Lagoon Lodge at the base of the mountain. They charge $10 per person unless you are staying at the lodge. From this location it is 4 miles round trip on an out and back trail. The climb to the top wears you out and takes about 2 hours. The hike down hurts even healthy knees and takes about an hour. There is a lot of mud on this trail! To get down to the lagoon was the muddiest section of the trail but it was a lot of fun. There is even a rope for a bit of rappelling. I didn't need insect repellent at all for this trail.
Peakbug - Jul 7, 2013 5:56 pm Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2013
Cerro Chato #11
Great uphill in the humidity. Fun views of Arenal and the lagoon from the top.
rkymtn - Feb 17, 2013 12:21 pm Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2013
From the Observatory Lodge
My wife and I made quick work of this hike on a great day. The skies were clear and the trail was dry. It was clear that this trail could be a nasty mess in wet conditions. We hiked around once at the top and had great views of Volcan Arenal. This was a great way to stretch our legs and start our vacation.
chilkoot - Mar 21, 2012 9:45 pm Date Climbed: Feb 26, 2012
Wet and muddy...as you might expect
Easy and pleasant road walking at the start, followed by a severely eroded trail up the volcano. Amazing rainforest flora and fauna. Bring raingear, even in the dry season. I also packed an ultralight umbrella and used it much of the time. The weather can change from dry to torrential downpour in a matter of minutes and it is possible to get chilly if the rain is wind driven. Your feet will be muddy. I wore old trail-runners, which were great, but it was slick coming down. Would have liked to have my poles with me. My southern most summit to date!
DWaggoner - Mar 17, 2010 7:16 pm Date Climbed: Jan 24, 2010
Wear good bug repellent
Awesome hike through the rain forest. Saw several species of birds. It's wet and muddy as you descend but watch out for those bugs. You won't know they are eating you!
I sprained my ankle whilst in the Arenal National Park one evening. However, that did not stop me from climbing Cerro Chato to the top all on my own the next morning! It started to rain when I reached the top and the clouds were so thick I couldn't see the lagoon. You also need to be careful of deep mud in places at the top.
jboldt1971 - Mar 25, 2009 1:00 am Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2009
Wet! Wet! Wet!
This is a great hike if you're in the La Fortuna area. How often do you get to hike through jungle. We were there in the "dry" season but it still rained and misted like crazy. Trying to stay dry is pointless so just embrace the wet and have fun. Amazing plants and wildlife. Hopefully you'll get to see Volcan Arenal (we didn't) but even if you don't it's still an amazing hike. Make sure and cool off with a swim in the lake at the top.
Luciano136 - Dec 25, 2008 6:51 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2008
Regular trail
Great hike! You don't necessarily get better views of nearby Volcan Arenal but a hike through the jungle is a great experience. Keep an eye out for the white face monkeys!
GaryM - Mar 21, 2019 10:53 am Date Climbed: Feb 28, 2019
ClosedThe road to Cerro Chato begins at the parking lot to the La Fortuna waterall (catarata La Fortuna) but as of Feb 2019 Cerro Chato is closed.
Made it to the falls but not Cerro Chato.
Sarah Simon - Dec 16, 2016 9:10 am Date Climbed: Dec 6, 2016
Steamy jungle hikeWhat fun! We did the hike from the traditional trailhead. Neat how the trail takes you from open grassy slopes with distant views into a dense cloud forest. "Climbing" steep clay and rutted mud is certainly a unique experience.we hiked down into the crater but didn't brave the cold water for a swim.
jakegarber - May 9, 2016 6:28 pm Date Climbed: Feb 23, 2016
volcano swimMuggy hike on rutted trail up through the rainforest to the top for a great view of the lake inside and Arenal Volcano in the distance. Some friendly Coati's were hanging around hoping for some scraps of food. We decided to hike around to the other rim and then down to the lake inside the mouth of the volcano to take a dip. The water was a unique blue color and VERY cold but felt great after a long hot hike!
Tasaio - Jan 25, 2016 5:12 am Date Climbed: Dec 15, 2014
Nice HikeThis was our first hike after arriving is Costa Rica. We were staying at the Arenal Observatory Lodge (recommendable). We hiked up Chero Chato and back down to the lodge in four hours. Not really difficult but quite muddy walk. We did not descent to the Laguna. We found the hike to be very enjoyable and close to nature.
slychels04 - Feb 12, 2014 7:24 am Date Climbed: Feb 1, 2014
Very steep climb in the mud!My husband and I climbed from the Green Falls Lagoon Lodge at the base of the mountain. They charge $10 per person unless you are staying at the lodge. From this location it is 4 miles round trip on an out and back trail. The climb to the top wears you out and takes about 2 hours. The hike down hurts even healthy knees and takes about an hour. There is a lot of mud on this trail! To get down to the lagoon was the muddiest section of the trail but it was a lot of fun. There is even a rope for a bit of rappelling. I didn't need insect repellent at all for this trail.
Peakbug - Jul 7, 2013 5:56 pm Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2013
Cerro Chato #11Great uphill in the humidity. Fun views of Arenal and the lagoon from the top.
rkymtn - Feb 17, 2013 12:21 pm Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2013
From the Observatory LodgeMy wife and I made quick work of this hike on a great day. The skies were clear and the trail was dry. It was clear that this trail could be a nasty mess in wet conditions. We hiked around once at the top and had great views of Volcan Arenal. This was a great way to stretch our legs and start our vacation.
chilkoot - Mar 21, 2012 9:45 pm Date Climbed: Feb 26, 2012
Wet and muddy...as you might expectEasy and pleasant road walking at the start, followed by a severely eroded trail up the volcano. Amazing rainforest flora and fauna. Bring raingear, even in the dry season. I also packed an ultralight umbrella and used it much of the time. The weather can change from dry to torrential downpour in a matter of minutes and it is possible to get chilly if the rain is wind driven. Your feet will be muddy. I wore old trail-runners, which were great, but it was slick coming down. Would have liked to have my poles with me. My southern most summit to date!
DWaggoner - Mar 17, 2010 7:16 pm Date Climbed: Jan 24, 2010
Wear good bug repellentAwesome hike through the rain forest. Saw several species of birds. It's wet and muddy as you descend but watch out for those bugs. You won't know they are eating you!
Tom Waggoner - Mar 17, 2010 2:39 pm
Normal RouteI wore shorts and the jungle bugs ate me alive!
RazorRen - Mar 13, 2010 6:32 pm
Roughed it outI sprained my ankle whilst in the Arenal National Park one evening. However, that did not stop me from climbing Cerro Chato to the top all on my own the next morning! It started to rain when I reached the top and the clouds were so thick I couldn't see the lagoon. You also need to be careful of deep mud in places at the top.
jboldt1971 - Mar 25, 2009 1:00 am Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2009
Wet! Wet! Wet!This is a great hike if you're in the La Fortuna area. How often do you get to hike through jungle. We were there in the "dry" season but it still rained and misted like crazy. Trying to stay dry is pointless so just embrace the wet and have fun. Amazing plants and wildlife. Hopefully you'll get to see Volcan Arenal (we didn't) but even if you don't it's still an amazing hike. Make sure and cool off with a swim in the lake at the top.
Luciano136 - Dec 25, 2008 6:51 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2008
Regular trailGreat hike! You don't necessarily get better views of nearby Volcan Arenal but a hike through the jungle is a great experience. Keep an eye out for the white face monkeys!