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A demanding hike to the Basecamp of Acatenango on a wide trail looking at the volcano.


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Map Key

4.1

Miles

6.6

KM

Point to Point

11,704' 3,567 m

High

7,875' 2,400 m

Low

3,918' 1,194 m

Up

89' 27 m

Down

18%

Avg Grade (10°)

47%

Max Grade (25°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

Need to Know

There is no public parking. The most common parking place is at Don Juan's place. As of January 2018, the charge was Q30. Then, the municipality charges at the gate Q25 for Guatemalans and Q50 for foreigners. The use of a guide is highly recommended. You can ask Juan (parking place) to arrange one for you.

Description

The trail is a 4 hour hike to the basecamp. You still need another hour to reach the summit, which is at 3,976 meters.

The three stages of the route are from town to the gate, gate to the barrel, and barrel to the terraces (basecamp). The first stage starts with a steep section through the cornfield, then it ends with Raíces (roots in Spanish) which are several steps that culminate with the gate. Here, you have restroom and have to pay the entrance fee (GUA: Q25, Foreigners: Q50). Hiring a local guide is highly recommended, although most of them speak only Spanish.

The second stage is through the misty forest, the trail is still steep, but the lush vegetation makes more enjoyable the effort. At the middle of the stage, you enter a vehicle road which you have to continue going up until you reach the end of the road, which has a barrel as a barrier.

The last stage is the easiest as you have a more moderate climb through the dry pines and the tall grasses. Finally, you reach the basecamp. If you plan to camp, here is your best spot as you have first line to watch the Fuego Volcano Eruptions.

Shared By:

Ignacio Basterrechea

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 4 votes

#11200

Overall
  4.3 from 4 votes
5 Star
75%
4 Star
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2 Star
25%
1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#3

in Guatemala

#11,200

Overall
10 Views Last Month
285 Since Jan 26, 2019
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Photos

Volcán de Agua at sunrise from Las Terrazas on the SE slope of Acatenango.
Mar 1, 2019 near Alotenango, GT
View of Volcán de Fuego from Las Terrazas on the SE slope of Acatenango
Mar 1, 2019 near Alotenango, GT
It's called Las Terrazas (Spanish for the Terraces) because of the narrow platforms carved into the steep slope of Acatenango. Actually, my guides just called the area las Plataformas.
Mar 1, 2019 near Alotenango, GT
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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 24 days ago
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Nov 16, 2024
Manoj Abey
4.1mi
Jul 2, 2022
Christophe Gn
Mar 5, 2022
Don Sherman
Mar 16, 2019
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