The Dominican Republic is full of beautiful landscapes and magical places. Although it is known for its beaches, it also abounds in mountains with trails full of captivating fauna and flora.Make a place in your itinerary and tour the majestic Dominican mountainous landscapes! In Your Dominican Guide we detail the 10 most incredible ones.
Top 10 Best Mountain Trails in the Dominican Republic
The tranquility that characterizes the most beautiful island in the Caribbean extends to its mountains and trails. To fully enjoy the generosity of the Dominican lands, immerse yourself in its mountain ranges. Discover the most exciting trails below.
Montaña Redonda
When you reach the top of Montaña Redonda you witness the immensity that symbolizes the Bay of Samaná. The way up is steep and the rocks give it a plus of difficulty. This scenery is ideal for those who enjoy a challenging hike.
Source: @montanaredondaparadisesSource: @montanaredondaparadises_
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic asks hikers to make a contribution of RD$100. This is a contribution that guarantees that tourism is sustainable at Montaña Redonda.
On the other hand, if you wish to camp in this mountain of the Dominican Republic, there are campaigns at a cost of $53. Make a note of this destination in your excursions when you visit Punta Cana.
Alpes Dominicanos
The Dominican Alps are known for being the highest mountain in the Caribbean. The best time to go hiking in this place is when the temperature is cooler, that is, in the months of January and February.During 3 days of trekking you enjoy a front row seat of a unique trip. To enter with a local guide you pay a fee of 100 pesos.
Source: @senderitmo
Loma Isabel de Torres
It is a hill located in Puerto Plata that is part of the Cordillera Septentrional in the Dominican Republic. What surprises await you at the top of Loma Isabel de Torres?
- It is the site of the Monument to Christ the King made of bronze, 16 meters high.
- From the top you have a full view of Puerto Plata.
- It has an impressive view of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are two ways to get to the top of the hill: by cable car or walking. The second option takes about an hour. Upon arrival, relax from the beautiful summit that this mountain in the Dominican Republic has to offer.
Samana
Besides having impeccable beaches, it is one of the perfect locations for hiking. In Samaná there are trails for all types of hikers, easy and complex routes. However, Los Haitises National Park allows different activities.
Among them, a 3-hour hike, where you will surely take amazing pictures! Then, a kayak tour through the mangroves and rainforest. The excursion includes a tour guide and the whole package costs $67.
If you only want to see the Haitises National Park, do not hesitate to start the trip on your own.
Damajagua
In Damajagua there are 27 waterfalls that fill with freshness and beauty all its territory. The region belongs to the Cordillera Septentrional, where 27 waterfalls worthy of a full day’s excursion unfold. Hiking packages include:
source: viator.com
- Dominican lunch and hydrating and alcoholic beverages.
- Protective equipment: life jackets and helmets.
- Transportation.
Go snorkeling, climb the rocks surrounding the falls and dive into crystal clear water to cool off. Experience the ultimate adventure on the Taino Bay & Amber Cove 7 Damajagua Waterfalls tour!
Baní Dunes
Let yourself be surprised by one of the most exciting and atypical hikes of the Dominican island. Are you looking for a desert landscape? Dunas de Baní is a sandy territory located in the Peninsula de las Calderas National Park.
The wildlife and plants of the region inhabit these dunes. But as in every desert, the heat is dominant and the sun becomes intense in the early hours of the day. Remember to include sunscreen in your backpack.
At the top of Baní you can see all the splendor of the beaches surrounding the dunes. It is the right place to enjoy an unprecedented landscape.
Bahoruco Mountains
Very close to the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is the Sierra de Bahoruco. It is a mountain range with an extensive biodiversity where there are rugged mountains and fabulous beaches.
source: lalupadelsur.com
Some of the most important national parks are located in this sierra, such as the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park. It is the habitat of striking species such as the parrot, Ricord’s iguana and the hutia. Hiking takes center stage for all the treasures that the Sierra de Bahoruco has to offer.
One of them are the different species of orchids that grow naturally. Most notably, the Sierra de Bahoruco is home to 52% of these enigmatic flowers. Some are exclusive to the area, so it is likely that you will see them for the first time.
Valle Nuevo National Park
Valle Nuevo National Park is one of the Dominican Republic’s most mist-filled mountains. At over 7000 feet high, this remote area is permeated with different species of birds. Because of its exuberance it has been recognized as a national park without equal in the Caribbean island.
source: godominicanrepublic.com
Among the activities that you can do are hiking, but you can also go hiking:
- Cycling through the valley.
- Horseback riding.
- Walk along the most representative roads, which go from Guayabal to Constanza and from Alto de Bandera to Aguas Blancas.
- Hiking the length and breadth of Valle Nuevo National Park is also a great option.
Ojos Indígenas Ecological Reserve
The Ojos Indígenas Ecological Reserve is a subtropical forest where animals from both wet and dry zones are present. There are 500 species of plants, 36% of which only exist in the Dominican Republic.
Source: viator.com
What do you find on an excursion to the ecological reserve? Throughout the area, 12 water holes were formed. Of course, you can enter each of them with due caution.
The entrance hours are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Although it is open to everyone, the entrance fee is lower if you stay in the hotels surrounding the reserve.
Duarte Peak
We close with a flourish this top 10 of the mountains in the Dominican Republic that everyone should know. Pico Duarte is one of the highest in the Caribbean with more than 3000 meters. Reaching the peak can take between 2 and 3 days depending on the route you choose.
Source: getyourguide.es
The two-day excursion is a tour through Jarabacoa, Manabao, La Ciénaga, Compartición and Valle de Lilís. No matter which way you decide to go, you will see different types of forests:
- Of pines.
- Cloudy.
- Mountainous broadleaf.
Enjoy the full experience camping in tents, test your physical condition and resistance to low temperatures in the mountains of the Dominican Republic.
Get to know the Cordilleras of the Dominican Republic!
The mountain ranges in the Dominican Republic are mountain ranges that extend throughout the territory. The generosity of the Caribbean is present in every inch of the Dominican island for its great biodiversity.
Get to know and enjoy every moment among the mountain trails in the Dominican Republic. These are the mountain ranges that surround the Caribbean country and all they have for you:
1. The Central Mountain Range
It is the most extensive mountain range of the Dominican island bordering Haiti. It starts from the northern part to the southern coast. In the Cordillera Central is located the Pico Duarte and includes the Dunes of Baní, as well as Valle Nuevo.
The national parks within this mountain range are:
- Armando Bermudez National Park.
- José del Carmen Ramírez National Park.
- Loma Nalga de Maco National Park.
Valle del Tetero is another area that is located in the Cordillera Central. It is an incredible valley that enjoys rivers and meadows impregnated with vegetation. Within the Valle del Tetero is the Cascada de la Compartición, to reach it is necessary to practice hiking.
2. Northern Cordillera
It is another mountain range of the Dominican Republic that covers the north coast to the province of Maria Trinidad Sanchez. It has many natural riches, for example:
- Pico Diego Ocampo: 1,249 meters high, it rises in the middle of the city of Santiago de los Caballeros.
- El Mogote: measures 970 meters and is known for its spectacular coffee plantations.
- Large rivers: the Bajabonico, Camú, Yásica, Boba, Joba, Nagua, and San Juan rivers flow into the Atlantic.
- Amber: in the Northern Cordillera there is an important exploitation of this fossilized resin.
Crops: the climatic and soil conditions allow the cultivation of cocoa, cattle pasture and other fruits.
The Mountains in the Dominican Republic are waiting for you!
The Dominican island is a paradise with a great diversity of landscapes and climates. Visiting it means you can hike in high altitude peaks or walk through desert places. Include the mountains of the Dominican Republic on your list of things to discover on your next vacation.
If you still don’t know where to start when you arrive in the Dominican Republic, get inspired with this quiz.
