Adventure travels: El Yunque Rainforest [PICS]
April 9, 2012
The El Yunque rainforest reserve in Puerto Rico spans the Sierra de Luquillo Mountains for over 28,000 acres. In parts receiving over 200 inches of rainfall a year, the dense ecosystem comprises lush foliage, crags, waterfalls and rivers.
Fabulous views of the rainforest canopy can be taken in from the peaks of El Toro and El Yunque, respectively topping out at 3,494ft and 3543ft above sea level.
Under the auspices of the US Forest Service, ecological degradation has been arrested, and in many cases, reversed. Well-staffed, and crisscrossed with short, paved and relatively mild trails, El Yunque makes the ideal entry-level tropical encounter.
Spectacular … The Atlantic viewed from El Yunque, Puerto Rico
Serenity … La Mina Falls trailhead, El Yunque
Take a hike! … Paved trail, El Yunque
Go with the flow … Waterfall, El Yunque
Standing out … El Yunque’s stunning flora
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Images: Sushant Jadhav, jeffgunn, csuspect, Luke Redmond, csuspect)
Brett Ackroyd
Travel writer for Hg2 | A Hedonist's guide to...™ and contributor to Cheapflights Travel Blogs.
El Yunque is a beautiful place…