El Toro Trail

Status: OPEN

After an approximately three hour hike you will be one of the few who has reached the highest peak in the Luquillo Mountains, El Toro Peak. El Toro Trail connects with the Trade Winds National Recreational Trail. Trade winds Trail is closed. El Toro Trail from Rd 186 to El Toro Peak is open.

This is a historic Trail built by the CCC in the 1930’s and the area was designated a National Wilderness Area in 2005.  The El Toro Wilderness, named after the highest peak (3,524 feet) in the El Yunque National Forest, is the only tropical wilderness in the U.S. National Forest System (NFS).

The El Toro Wilderness provides habitat for the endangered Elfin Woods Warbler, the Puerto Rican Boa, the Desmarest's Red Fig-Eating bat, five species of Coquis (small frogs), and the Puerto Rican Parrot. Also provides habitat for Lepanthes eltoroensis orchid and most of all the listed plants species described for El Yunque National Forest.

Location: Road 186 km 10.8

Distance: 2.3 miles (3.8 km)

Time: 3 hours one-way

Elevation: 2132- 3533 feet (650-1074 meters)

Difficulty: Difficult

Amenities: N/A

Special Safety Messages: This area takes you through the remote Wilderness with little cell phone signal. Prepare adequately. To help maintain its primitive nature, group sizes should be 6 person or less, unless otherwise authorized by a permit.