Hummingbird trail1/23/2024 ![]() When translated to English, Rincón De La Vieja means “old woman’s corner.” There are various tales from the local people behind the meaning of this name. As with most national parks in Costa Rica, it operates 6 days a week - Tuesday to Sunday - and is closed on Mondays. This provides diversity in the flora and fauna, creating an unforgettable experience of natural mineral hot springs, waterfalls and of course Costa Rica’s unique wildlife. This national park lies within a mountain range separating the Pacific side and the Caribbean, which each have their own unique weather. It is located along the Cordillera de Guanacaste featuring two volcanoes, Rincón De La Vieja volcano and the Santa Maria volcano. If you are flying into the Liberia International Airport, your drive to this biodiverse national park is less than an hour and a necessary adventure. However, within this popular province is Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a hiker’s and nature lover’s paradise. NOTE: The Nets is also home to a hidden swing at the mouth of the cave, but was waiting to be replaced during our visit.In northwestern Costa Rica is the beautiful Guanacaste province, most often talked about for its white-sand, pristine beaches. I’m sure your legs will need a break, so why not relax in one of the hammocks or benches within and enjoy the stunning view in front of you. Once there, you’ll be welcomed by a Technicolor array of graffiti art that makes this location all the more surreal. After all, who knows how secure that safety line is?! Once down, you’ll find a nearby ladder which will lead you up into the cave. While there is a safety line bolted into the rock-face that’ll aid your descent, I would still use the upmost caution. And as one final safety warning, the last 30 yards to The Nets requires some pretty steep rock-scrambling down to the base of the cave. Your trek to The Nets is pretty steep (almost 1000 feet in gained elevation) so you’ll be huffing & puffing for sure as you make your ascent, but the benefit is that it’ll give you an amazing vantage point of Simi Valley as you continue to climb skyward. And if you haven’t reached The Nets in approximately 1.5 miles, you’ve most likely missed it. Watch for multiple painted rabbits and arrows along the way that will guide you to this magical destination. I won’t provide too many more details from this point forward so that the challenge of finding The Nets is your own accomplishment, but here’s a couple of tips that’ll keep you moving in the right direction. You’ll proceed left in order to begin your adventure. After starting the trail, you’ll reach a fork at one of the last trailmarkers after about a quarter of a mile. Hummingbird Trail is a popular hiking destination in the area, so you’ll have no trouble finding the trailhead. In an attempt to preserve its hidden nature, I’m going to be as vague as possible when describing how to find The Nets, but I promise it’ll be worth your effort since the difficulty of finding it is part of the reward (I needed two separate hikes to discover its whereabouts). (Several near collisions occurred during our hike!)Īffectionately referred to as “ The Nets” by those in the know due to its net hammocks and storage space, this hidden cave can be accessed off Hummingbird Trail in Simi Valley. Hummingbird Trail is also a popular dirt biking trail, so keep an eye out for bikers around every corner to avoid collision. So make sure to keep track of your surroundings to avoid getting lost. Please be aware that a good portion of the hike to “ The Nets” is off-trail. There is no shade for the majority of the hike, so be sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection. Even with the provided safety line down the last portion to the cave, the descent is still pretty dangerous so make sure you’re wearing proper footwear and take your time! Please consider your own safety as well when scrambling down to the cave. ![]() Even then, I would not recommend proceeding with any dog over 10-15 pounds. In addition, there’s a small free parking lot on your left off Kuehner Drive about 100 yards from the trailhead.ĭogs are allowed on the trail, but please be aware that the last stretch to reach the cave involves some very steep rock-scrambling which I would consider unsafe for any dog that isn’t secured in some sort of dog harness or backpack. (Make note to pay careful attention to posted parking signs since they’re SUPER confusing). Parking: Free street parking near trailhead. Hours of Operation: Daily - Sunrise to Sunset. Kuehner Drive will dead-end at the trailhead in less than a mile. But just incase, take the Kuehner Drive exit off the 118 freeway and head north. (Hummingbird Trail should appear in your navigation device. Location: “ The Nets” can be found off Hummingbird Trail in Simi Valley.
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