MONKEY ISLAND
Read moreYou will certainly hear about this destination when you mention Lake Gatún, especially if you travel with your family! The tour begins with a boat ride, not far from the huge ships that ply the channel. The tropical and coastal vegetation reminds you that you are sailing in a true biodiversity sanctuary. Try to organize yourself to leave in the morning, you will have more chances to cross the howler signs and the capuchins in the fresh air! In any case, you should know that you will also meet many tourists...
CAMINO DEL OLEODUCTO (PIPELINE ROAD)
Read moreThis trail is named after the old fuel pipeline that was part of the canal's self-sufficiency plan. Known worldwide as one of the best birdwatching sites, it is an easily accessible and very popular trail. Some agencies offer mountain bike rides, but it is obviously not the best idea to be quiet and watch the birds... The observation tower on the way (for a fee) is managed by the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center.
SENDERO ESPÍRITU DEL BOSQUE
Read moreAn interpretive circular trail behind the government shack.
SENDERO NATURAL EL CHARCO
Read moreProperly marked, this 800-meter trail goes through the thick rainforest. You won't encounter many wild animals, they hide deeper in the forest. But the route follows the Sardinilla River and leads to a small waterfall and a clear water basin where you can swim and have a good picnic. The walk can be completed by the interpretive trail located behind the government hut, the Sendero Espiritu del bosque, 1.7 km long.
PLANTING PATH
Read moreThis road, once paved, was built during the construction of the canal to reach the North American farm Las Cascadas, which produced rubber, cocoa and bananas in the 1910s. It was the most important farm in the Canal Zone with some 1,200 hectares. It was bought by the state in 1915, and there was talk of building a cocoa processing unit, but the project was abandoned. Today, the "Camino de plantación" trail is almost 13 km long and leads to the Camino de Cruces (described in the park of the same name).
PARQUE NACIONAL SOBERANÍA
Read moreDeclared a protected area in 1980, this park extends over 22,000 hectares in the extension of the Camino de Cruces park. It is one of the most accessible in the country but also one of the richest: 105 species of mammals, 79 reptiles and especially 525 species of birds that attract enthusiasts from around the world! The entrance to the Sendero Natural El Charco and Camino de Plantación trails is located on the edge of the Carretera Gaillard. The entrance to the Camino de Oleoducto is located a little further on, after Gamboa.