Square Trees

The Square Trees in El Valle de Anton outside the Hotel Campestre.

Known for its square trees, golden frogs, and Sunday morning market, El Valle is located within the crater of the second largest inhabited dormant volcano in the world. It is a popular destination for city people and tourists due to its proximity to the city of Panama. The cooler climate is a pleasant change from the heat and humidity of the city and on warm days, there are always refreshing breezes that rush down the slopes of the surrounding hills.

The crater stands at about 600m above sea level while all around are mountains for the hiker to explore. To the north are Cerro Pajita, Cerro Gaital, and Cerro Cara Coral which are about 1000m high. The others are about 800m and include Cerro Iguana and Cerro Guacamayo to the south, Cerro Tagua to the east and La India Dormida to the west. They have all been cleared for agriculture and pastureland except Cerro Gaital and Cerro Pajita which remain natural forests over which clouds linger. There are trails on each one that lead to scenic vistas of the crater floor.

It is at the foothills of Cerro Gaital behind the Hotel Campestre that square trees are found. There is a path leading to a small patch of trees and in front of the hotel, golden frogs may be viewed in captivity. See them while you can for you are not likely to find golden frogs in the wild even though they are endemic to the area.

The most popular mountain is known as the Sleeping Indian Girl. From certain viewpoints, the outline of the mountain resembles a girl lying on her back gazing at the skies. According to legend, an Indian princess wandered the mountains and died in disgrace after her lover committed suicide. The realism of the outline is enhanced by the fact that the ‘face’ and ‘neck’ have been cleared for grazing while her ‘hair’ remains forested and it is in this area that the best route to the top is found. An unpaved road ends at La Pintada. There is a church and a small kiosco where children hang out offering to guide you up the mountain. Along the way, they will show you stone petroglyphs that remain undeciphered, their favorite swimming holes beneath cascading waterfalls, the Piedra El Sapo, a rock with carvings of toads, and strategic points for viewing the valley below. It is a very pleasant � to 1 hr. hike that partially follows a trail along a small, melodious river under the shade of the forest canopy. Wild orchids and unusual flowers can be found but you have to look for them as they are small and overwhelmed by the forest greenery.