For Urritrek, few things are more exciting than opening new trails across beautiful, remote, and historically meaningful landscapes in Costa Rica. That is exactly what we feel with the Camino de Montes de Oro, a new multi-day hiking experience designed for travelers who want to discover a less-traveled side of the country.

Camino de Montes de Oro: new hiking route Costa Rica 

This route takes hikers across the mountainous landscapes of Montes de Oro, in the province of Puntarenas, passing through tropical dry forest, cloud forest, rural villages, rivers, viewpoints, and historic paths once connected to the region’s gold-mining past.

The tour is designed as a 6-day hike, with daily distances that make it especially suitable for experienced hikers. If you are comfortable walking long distances, enjoy mountain terrain, and want a deeper connection with Costa Rica’s rural and natural landscapes, this route may be exactly what you are looking for.

It is also a great option if you do not have enough days to complete El Camino de Costa Rica, but still want a powerful hiking experience. And if you have already completed El Camino and are ready to explore another region of the country, Camino de Montes de Oro offers a new challenge, new scenery, and a completely different perspective of Costa Rica.

A landscape shaped by gold

Montes de Oro is the fourth canton of the province of Puntarenas. It is located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of San José and, unlike the other cantons in Puntarenas, it lacks direct access to the Pacific coast.

Its name tells part of its story. Long before this area became known for rural tourism, mountain landscapes, and biodiversity, gold mining was one of its most important activities. In fact, before it was called Montes de Oro, the area was known as Los Quemados, a name associated with old extraction practices.

Today, gold still exists in the mountains, but the region’s greatest treasure is different. It is found in its clean rivers, forests, mountain views, wildlife, rural culture, and the opportunity to walk through areas that remain far from mass tourism.

The mountains of Montes de Oro are influenced by a rainy tropical climate and ocean breezes. This creates changing conditions along the route and contributes to a wide and surprising variety of life. As the trail climbs from lower elevations into higher mountain areas, hikers experience a dramatic transition from tropical dry forest to cloud forest.

That contrast is one of the reasons why this hike feels so special. In just a few days, the landscape changes completely, allowing hikers to experience several versions of Costa Rica in a single journey.

A route for nature lovers

One of the most beautiful features of the Camino de Montes de Oro is that it passes through areas that are still not heavily traveled. This makes the experience feel intimate, quiet, and deeply connected to the surrounding environment.

For bird lovers, this route is especially rewarding. During some of our hikes, we have counted up to 56 bird species in a single day.

The symbolic bird of the region is the motmot, known for its striking green-and-blue plumage and pendulum-like tail. This bird can be seen at various points along the route, but it is far from the only highlight.

Hikers may also spot quetzals, hummingbirds, raptors such as the laughing falcon and the gray hawk, and many other species that bring color and movement to the forest. Hummingbirds, in particular, are always a favorite among travelers, appearing suddenly like flashes of light between flowers and trees.

Another unforgettable presence along the trail is the three-wattled bellbird. This area forms part of its biological corridor, and its call is one of the most remarkable sounds in the forest. It can be heard from more than a kilometer away and sounds less like a typical bird song and more like a metallic note echoing through the mountains.

The route also offers the opportunity to see mammals such as coatis. In some areas, especially near the Children’s Eternal Rainforest, we have also found tracks of wild felines that move through the region. Snakes are also part of these ecosystems, which is why the hike is always done with attention, respect, and proper guidance.

Culture, memory, and rural life in Montes de Oro

Camino de Montes de Oro is not only a nature hike. It is also a route with cultural and historical value.

The region has Chorotega roots, and throughout the journey, hikers learn about the communities, families, and local stories that have shaped this mountainous area. Some of those stories are joyful and full of rural hospitality. Others are part of the region’s more difficult memory.

One example is Lagunas de Arancibia, where a community was affected by landslides from Cerro Silencio in separate events in 1993 and 2000. In the first event, public spaces such as the community hall and the school were buried, leading to the evacuation of the area. Years later, another landslide completely covered the homes of several farming families who were still living there.

These stories are part of what makes the route meaningful. While walking through Montes de Oro, hikers are not only moving across mountains. They are walking through places where nature, memory, resilience, and rural life are deeply connected.

Why we love the Camino de Montes de Oro

The Camino de Montes de Oro was designed by Eliseo Hampton, a local guide who knows these mountains from a lifetime of experience. Even after so many years walking through this territory, he continues to be surprised by its beauty.

According to Hampton, every stage has something special: a natural setting, a viewpoint, a forest transition, a rural encounter, or a detail that makes the day memorable.

Unlike El Camino de Costa Rica, which is known as a major coast-to-coast challenge, Camino de Montes de Oro was designed as a hike to be enjoyed. Yes, it is physically demanding, and hikers need to be prepared. But the focus is not only on difficulty. The route was planned to prioritize beauty, safety, rural roads, natural scenery, and meaningful encounters.

As much as possible, the trail avoids asphalt and busy roads. Most of the route follows rural paths where cars rarely pass, allowing hikers to stay connected to the sounds and rhythms of the landscape.

The selected route connects remote rural communities, giving travelers the opportunity to meet local residents and stay in simple, welcoming accommodations along the way. These are not luxury hotels. They are humble, authentic places that help make the experience more human, more personal, and more connected to the people who live in the mountains.

During the journey, hikers pass through places such as Zapotal, Cedral, Arancibia, Santa Marta, Bajo Caliente, San Luis de Monteverde, and finally Santa Elena, in Monteverde.

Some nights are spent in cabins or rural lodging. Other nights are spent in remote areas where silence becomes part of the experience. In Santa Marta, for example, the group stays in one of the most remote homes in the community, where the night feels especially quiet after a long day on the trail. Meals are often prepared with local ingredients, including food grown in the same area.

In Arancibia, one of the most memorable stops is near Lagunas de Ojo de Agua, on a property with an exceptional viewpoint. There, hikers may also experience an intimate musical moment offered by a self-taught local musician with remarkable talent.

These details are what make Camino de Montes de Oro more than a hike. It is a journey through landscapes, stories, people, and places that most visitors to Costa Rica never get to see.

A demanding but rewarding hike

Camino de Montes de Oro is best suited for experienced hikers. The route includes long walking days, mountain terrain, steep climbs, descents, changing weather, and remote sections.

At the same time, the hike is designed to be balanced. The goal is not to create the hardest possible route, but to offer a challenging and enjoyable journey through one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful and lesser-known mountain regions.

One of the most demanding stages is the first day. The hike begins in Miramar and climbs from approximately 300 meters above sea level to around 1,400 meters, reaching Zapotal. This ascent marks a powerful transition from tropical dry forest to cloud forest, with a steady climb that requires good physical condition.

Another challenging section comes later in the route, with mountain terrain that includes steep climbs and descents. These days require endurance, patience, and a steady pace.

The daily distances are:

• Day 1: 14.3 km / 8.9 mi

• Day 2: 10.5 km / 6.6 mi

• Day 3: 12.4 km / 7.7 mi

• Day 4: 15.1 km / 9.4 mi

• Day 5: 19.2 km / 11.93 mi

• Day 6: 11.1 km / 6.9 mi

The full route includes a total elevation gain of 4,408 meters / 14,462 feet and a total elevation loss of 3,514 meters / 11,527 feet.

This is why preparation matters. Camino de Montes de Oro is not a casual walk, but it is an incredibly rewarding experience for hikers who enjoy effort, nature, and the satisfaction of reaching each destination step by step.

What makes this hike different?

Costa Rica is famous for its beaches, volcanoes, national parks, and cloud forests. But the Camino de Montes de Oro offers something different: the chance to walk through a region that is still emerging as a rural tourism destination.

This means the experience feels fresh, exclusive, and deeply authentic. The trail is still little known, and joining it now means becoming part of a small group of travelers discovering this route in its early stages.

It is also a route created and operated by Urritrek. We are pioneers on this journey, and our goal is to continue expanding the experience in the future by adding new places and strengthening the connection among hiking, rural communities, and responsible tourism.

What is included with Urritrek?

Camino de Montes de Oro is a 6-day hiking experience designed for advanced hikers and operated with a minimum of 6 participants.

The tour includes transportation from the Central Valley to the starting point in Miramar, professional certified trekking guides, luggage transportation between stages, accommodations, meals, entrance fees to private areas, logistical support, accident insurance, and an emergency and evacuation protocol.

Some stages also include stays in rural accommodations or camping-style experiences, depending on the location and availability. This variety is part of the adventure and reflects the route's remote nature. Here you’ll see the full schedule. 

Complete Info of Camino de Montes de Oro Hike: 

If you are ready to walk through Costa Rica’s golden highlands, discover remote communities, listen to the forest, cross rivers, climb mountain paths, and experience a different side of the country, Camino de Montes de Oro is waiting for you.

This is not just another hike in Costa Rica. It is a new way to understand the country, one step at a time.

Are you ready to book your next hiking adventure? Book here!

Take a look at the available dates for this hike:

Frequently Asked Questions About Camino de Montes de Oro

Is Camino de Montes de Oro suitable for beginners?

This hike is best suited for experienced hikers. The route includes several days of mountain walking, steep climbs, descents, changing weather, and remote rural sections. You do not need to be a professional athlete, but you should be comfortable hiking long distances and spending multiple days on the trail.

What makes this route different from El Camino de Costa Rica?

El Camino de Costa Rica is a longer coast-to-coast journey. Camino de Montes de Oro is shorter, but still physically demanding and deeply rewarding. It is ideal for hikers who want a multi-day adventure in Costa Rica but may not have enough time for a longer route. It is also a great option for those who have already completed El Camino de Costa Rica and want to explore a new region.

Can I see wildlife during the hike?

Yes. The area is especially attractive for birdwatching, with species such as motmots, hummingbirds, raptors, quetzals, and the three-wattled bellbird. Hikers may also see coatis and other wildlife, depending on the day, weather, and trail conditions.

Where do hikers sleep during the route?

Accommodations are simple, rural, and authentic. Depending on the stage, hikers may stay in cabins, local homes, farms, or rustic lodging managed by people from the communities along the route. These stays are part of the experience and offer a closer connection to rural Costa Rica.

What should I bring?

Comfortable hiking shoes, quick-dry clothing, rain protection, sun protection, a refillable water bottle, personal medication, insect repellent, and a small daypack are recommended. Since luggage transportation is included, hikers only need to carry what they need during each day’s walk.

Is this route available year-round?

Availability may depend on weather, group size, and logistics. Since this is a remote and still-emerging route, it is best to check available dates directly with Urritrek before planning your trip.

How many people are needed to operate the tour?

Camino de Montes de Oro is available for groups starting at 6 participants. This helps ensure the logistics, accommodations, guiding, and support required for the full experience.