General Information

El Copé National Park 

SWADDLED IN MONTAJE COLUD FOREST ON ITS UPPER.

Slopes, this rugged park teems with wildlife and, though facilities are meager, hikers and birdes are amply rewarded with the chance of are species nigthing. A spiderweb of trails is well maintained by the U.S, peace corps.

Known commonly as El Copé (for the copé tree) and officially as Parque Nacional General Omar Torrijos Herrera, the 62,454-acre (25,275 ha) national park straddles the continental divide. Created in 1986, it is named for Panama’s populist military leader maj. Gen. Omar Torrijos, who fell in the love with thw area, sponsored local community programs, and was killed when is plane crashed here in foul weather on july 311, 1981 (remnants of the wrek can still be seen, a somber curiosity for bush-whacking hikers; it’s a five-hour hike from the ranger station).

The park protects the watersheds of the Bermejo and Marta Rivers on the pacific slopes and those of the Blanco, Guabal, and Lajas Rivers on the Caribbean, which are deluged in rains. Mists that rise from the Caribbean sea swirl ethereally through the forest that envelop the cool highland slopes—a hábitat for the endangered immaculate antbird, Golden-olive woodpecker, red fronted parrotlet, and bare-necked umbrellabird, boasting a coiffure that would do Elvis pround. Panama’s endangered Golden frog hops around the flores floor. El Copé is also one of the last refuges in central Panama gor the jaguar, puma and tapir.

Parque nacional Omar Torrijos can be reached from the interamerican highway, 10 miles (16 km) west of Penonomé. The paved road rises 16 miles (26 km) northward to the village of El Copé from which a rugged track leads uphill to the MIAMBIENTE ranger station. A four-wheel-drive is essential. A half-mile (0,7 km) hike beyond, the simple breeze-swept Alto del Calvario Visitor Center (with basic explanations on local ecology) is poise don a ridge with a vista toward the Caribbean through glass walls.

An easily hiked interpretative trail begind at the visitor center and takes about one hour round-trip; another short trail leads to a mountaintop mirador with magnificent vistas. More rugged trails lead to the remote Hamlet of La Rica, the Chorro de Tife cascades, and the summits of Cerro Marta and Cerro Peña Blanca. Seasoned hikers can even treck to the Caribbean (a guide and sufficient provisions are essential).

Cascade Tife

A simple dorm with kitchen, lounge, and bunks is avaible, and camping is permited. Bring warm clothing for chilly nights. The local Asosiation the guias can provide guides ($5 to $10 for person).

Midway between El Copé and the park entrance, the local community of Barrigón has established the Barrigó grupo Boca, which offers brid guide and simple accommodation.