Los Robles

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Views

A great run through primary forest, towering oaks and trees, a steep but easy climb, and incredible views of the Savegre Valley. There are chances of seeing large mammals (pumas, coyotes, tapirs) on this trail, and the bird and fauna are incredible.

Pack any supplies or foods/snacks into the valley from outside, because things are hard to find inside the valley.

Use boots that can get really muddy or use a Costa Rican running hack - use knee-high soccer socks with $12 rubber boots you can get at any local hardware store.

If you go through this run as posted, starting at the trailhead and heading north, you'll ascend a steep dirt pathway through dense rainforest trees. After about 1 mile, you'll come to a monument to the towering White Oak, and shortly after you'll come to a split in the trail; there is one trail that heads north (Buena Vista Trail), and Los Robles will continue to the east. Stay right and follow the signs for "Los Robles." Do not take the Buena Vista Trail unless you are an experienced runner, well-prepared, or have a guide with you.

As you start to descend the ridge on east side of the loop, you'll soon come to a spectacular open view of the valley, at about 1.8 miles in (halfway). Take a break and enjoy the view.

During the descent, you'll pass under several trees that bridge the trail above you. At about 3 miles, you'll arrive at a brook that splits in two directions. The sign labeled "Los Robles Salida" will actually take you along another trail called "La Quebrada Trail," but if you want to exit to the road following the loop described here, go to the right (west). You'll come out on the road and run a few hundred meters back to the trailhead. You can also descend to the hotel or try some of the other trails. La Quebrada and Canto de las Aves are both marked as parts of this route separately on the map.

One mile up on the steep drive ascending to the trailhead (which can also be done from the base at the Hotel Savegre), there is a beautiful deck overlook from which you can see the whole valley. It is quite a majestic view. Listen for the sing-songy flute-like calls of the Black-faced Solitaire on the trail and from the deck as the cloud forest envelopes the valley.

Keep an eye out for the camouflaged cameras and scent stations that are part of a conservation research project—do not touch them!

Ask around for stories about Efraim Chacon and the legendary White Oak that you'll see on the trail, the camera traps, and the environmental monitoring projects.