Hiking the Cerro de la Cruz Antigua, Guatemala

On the far north end of Antigua, Guatemala sits the Cerro de la Cruz (or, the Hill of the Cross). With some of the very best views of the city and the nearby Volcan de Agua, this is a must-see site while in Antigua. If you’re planning a visit to Antigua soon, here is a helpful guide to hiking the Cerro de la Cruz.

Hiking to the Cerro de la Cruz from Antigua

From Antigua’s city center, locate 1A Avenida and follow it North. At the base of the inclining hill, you will find the beginning of the hiking trail, marked by a sign welcoming you to Cerro de la Cruz. To your left will be a set of concrete stairs leading into the forest. This is the path that will lead you to the overlook.

READ » Things to do in Antigua, Guatemala

The trees along the pathway provide much-appreciated shade on hot Guatemalan days. You’ll see birds and all sorts of lovely greenery on your hike. As you press on, the stairs will eventually even out to a pathway. After about 10-20 minutes of hiking, you’ll emerge from the trees and be greeted by the stunning views of Antigua from Cerro de la Cruz.

What to Know Before Hiking the Cerro de la Cruz

Even though the hike to Cerro de la Cruz is not long, it’s helpful to have a little bit more information before doing the hike. When traveling in Central America, I’ve found that the more information you have, the more prepared you can be.

When to Go

The overlook is open from 7:00am to 6:00pm. It is recommended to avoid doing the hike near sundown, or anytime after dark. There have been reports of theft in this area, so it’s best to visit during the daytime.

As for weather, it’s best to save this hike for a cloudless day. This way, you’ve got a better shot of getting the full volcano in your photos, and your views will be much more picturesque. But, if you’re running out of time in Antigua and it seems those clouds keep rolling in, the Cerro de la Cruz is still well worth the hike.

Hiking Difficulty

I definitely do not consider myself a hiker. That being said, I found this hike to be not bad at all. The stairs and the trail inclination definitely got my heart going, but not to the point where I thought I was going to die. There are a few benches and rest areas on the way up to the top of the hill, if you do need a break. Compared to some other hikes I’ve done on my travels, hiking Cerro de la Cruz was a breeze!

READ » The Non-Hiker’s Guide to Hiking the Masada Snake Path

Don’t Want to Hike?

If you’re really not a hiker, or aren’t able to hike up to Cerro de la Cruz, don’t worry! You can still experience the most lovely spot in Antigua. You can either self- drive or take a tuk tuk to the top of the hill. However, you will have to pay a Q15 parking fee.

General Safety

As with the rest of Antigua, you’ll want to keep your wits about you when hiking Cerro de la Cruz. Be aware of your surroundings, and keep an eye on your belongings. Pickpocketing is fairly common in this area. And as mentioned before, only do the hike in the daylight when others are hiking as well.

What to Do

So you’ve made the hike up to the top of this hill. Now what is there to do?There are a few vendors at the top, selling water bottles, snacks, and other knick-knacks if you’ve forgotten to rehydrate or feel the need to purchase something. But honestly, the best thing to do at the top of the hill is find yourself a quiet sitting spot, look out over the scene in front of you, and just reflect on the beauty of Earth.

The hike to Cerro de la Cruz is So. So worth it. Looking out to see the terracotta rooves of Antigua nestled at the base of the volcano is truly breathtaking. When you visit Antigua, Guatemala, definitely save time for the Cerro de la Cruz!

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