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    El Valle de Antón: Panama's Hiking Paradise

    El Valle de Anton is a quiet mountain town in a beautiful valley just two hours from Panama City. El Valle, as it is called, is an atmospheric town located in the crater of a huge extinct volcano. It's not so much the town you come here for: El Valle is surrounded by green landscapes, volcanoes, valleys, forests, waterfalls, and hot springs. El Valle de Anton is one of the best places in Panama for hiking.

    In this article about El Valle de Antón we cover the following:

     

    Nature in El Valle de Antón

    El Valle de Antón is the perfect place for avid bird watchers and anyone interested in the outdoors. El Valle de Antón "breathes" nature. While you hiking one of the three famous hiking trails you will undoubtedly encounter hundreds of different trees, flowers, dozens of animals, and spectacular views of the crater. Not a fan of hiking? Enjoy the hot springs in el Valle, visit the Nispero Zoo or surround yourself with butterflies in the Butterfly Haven. 

     

    Hiking in El Valle de Antón

    There are three main trails in El Valle de Antón: La India Dormida, Cerra Cara Iguana, and Cerro Gaital. All are easily doable for the average hiker. 

    La India Dormida

     

    La India Dormida is by far the most famous hike. It is not for nothing that it is one of the most beautiful in Panama; The view from the top of this mountain is impressive and especially the sunrise from the top is magical.

    The name literally means 'the sleeping Indian girl. From a distance, the contours of the mountain range resemble a sleeping woman. According to legend, Flor del Aire lived here. She was the daughter of an important chieftain who fought against the Spanish colonial rulers. Flor fell in love with a Spanish soldier. However, a warrior from her tribe, Yavari, also wanted to marry her. When she rejected him and told her that she was in love with the Spaniard, Yavari committed suicide by jumping off a mountain top. Flor was so shocked that she ran away from home. Deeply saddened, she too died in the mountains around El Valle de Anton. The mountains were so moved by this story that they took the form of Flor: the sleeping Indian girl.

    The advantage is that anyone with a bit of fitness can go up the mountain. It will take you about 4 hours and the hike will be along the edge of the crater's green mountains. You don't need to book a guide and the trail is well-marked.

    Cerra Cara Iguana

     

    After the India Dormida, this is the most famous walk in the area of El Valle de Anton. Like the India Dormida, you have a great view of the crater from Cerro Cara Iguana.

    This trek is a bit more difficult than the India Dormida. You can do the first part by car (taxi or Uber) and we definitely recommend that. This way you have more energy left for the really beautiful piece. The path is clearly marked so just follow the signs up. In total, the hike to the top takes about an hour (from the city).

    Cerro Gaital

    The Cerro Gaital is the last of the three hikes. This hike is considered one of the toughest hikes in all Panama. If you are not a regular hiker, it is better to skip this one. Those who do rise to the challenge are rewarded with a spectacular view from the top. The hike takes about three hours.

     

    Shop at the El Valle Market

    The city of El Valle is not big, however, very cozy, and one of the highlights of the city is the local market. The market is located in the center of the city. The little shops mainly sell fruit and vegetables, but thanks to the increase in tourism, you will also find souvenirs and other traditional items.

     

    Visit the el Valle Hotsprings

    The hot springs in El Valle de Anton are amazing to take a mud mask and soak in a warm mineral bath. The fact that there are so many hot springs here is due to the volcanic activity in the area. The hot springs are very popular among the locals and tourists so it can be a bit busy, especially on the weekends.

     

    Butterfly Haven el Valle de Antón

    Butterfly Haven in el Valle de Antón is one of the best places in Panama to see all the different varieties of butterflies that are part of Panama's biodiversity. Learn about the flora & fauna of El Valle de Antón while being surrounded by thousands of butterflies. Visit their website by clicking here. 

     

    Location of El Valle de Antón

    El Valle de Antón is only a thirty minutes drive from the beach town Coronado and about two hours from Panama City. 

    Google Maps location of Altos de Campana National Park