Scaling the Peak in Providencia

The highest point in Providencia, not quite 1,200 feet high, is a peak appropriately called the Peak. It’s part of a national park with a hike to the top, so we, of course, had to go. Bus service on the island is sparce, but it is available to the Peak. We were dropped off in Bottom House, a little settlement at the south end of the island, first thing in the morning (because it gets bloody hot here later in the day). The start of the trail is well marked, sporting a deck with seating and a great map of the route burned into a large wooden plaque. The trail was pretty evident, so off we went. There was signage along the way for various plants and animals, as well as some warnings, such as that the ants climbing on the acacia trees bite (yes, they do, as Anne found out after grabbing an acacia for support and meeting up with some of the ants). We had some friends who hiked the trail several years ago and pronounced some sections as challenging, but new, sturdy wooden bridges now span the streams and pools with shifty and difficult-to-traverse rocks. Still challenging are some of the steep portions of the trail, especially if they’re muddy. We kept passing small groups on their way down, and every single one of them said “You’re almost there,” regardless of where we were. Liars, all of them. At last most of the trail was beneath the trees, although it got pretty sunny and hot at the peak. The hike is totally worth it, with incredible views of the northern reefs, the reservoir down at Bahia Agua Dulce, and the anchorage by Santa Catalina. A beautiful place to relax and eat lunch. On the way down, we stopped at a small stream-fed pool to wash off the mud, soak our feet, and wet our shirts to cool us down. We passed another couple just starting up, and we did NOT tell them that they were almost there. We actually hiked the Peak again a couple of weeks later time with some cruising friends. It was worth a second look, and we highly recommend the trip if you get to Providencia.

...sometimes a boardwalk...

...and sometimes nearly straight up

From the Peak, beautiful views of the northern reef...

...and the anchorage and Santa Catalina

Mermaid atop a mountain

The traffic we had to maneuver through leaving bottom House