Lava field trail at the base of Arenal — the volcano fills your entire field of vision
4.5(2 reviews)
La Fortuna
Best Time to Go
“Best just before sunset”
About this place
Most visitors photograph Arenal from town. This trail, maintained by the observatory inside the exclusion zone perimeter, puts you on the hardened lava field from the 1968 eruption, close enough that the cone fills the frame without optical assistance. The path passes through secondary forest reclaiming the old flow — a slow, surreal ecology of ferns and pioneer trees growing from dark rock. The observatory viewpoint on clear days frames the symmetrical cone against open sky.
✓ Photographers✓ Hikers✓ Adventurers
Location
La Fortuna
What People Say
4.5· 2
LF
Lucia F.
March 2025
Walking on the 1968 lava field with the cone directly overhead is one of the stranger things I've done. The trail passes through pioneer forest growing from black rock. On a clear afternoon the volcano fills your entire field of vision with no framing, no foreground — just 1,600 metres of cone above the treeline. We came back for the night view of the glowing flank and stood there for two hours.
✦ Afternoon clearing is more reliable than morning✦ Night visit for active flank glow is extraordinary
CB
Carlos B.
February 2025
The lava field walk is genuinely unlike anything else in the park circuit. The volcanic rock is dark and still warm in places, the vegetation is sparse and alien, and the cone looms in a way that feels intentional. Summitted in afternoon cloud which disappointed on the view side but the trail itself is worth it. Go even if the top is covered.
✦ Trail is interesting regardless of summit visibility✦ Wear boots — lava rock is sharp
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