Parque Nacional Celaque Guide
Conquer Celaque: Hike to Honduras' Highest Peak! Guide
Parque Nacional Celaque is a stunning cloud forest encompassing Honduras' highest peak, Cerro Celaque. This protected area offers incredible biodiversity, breathtaking views, and challenging hiking opportunities for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The park is a haven for diverse flora and fauna, including quetzals, monkeys, and various species of orchids. The park was established to protect the vital watershed and the unique ecosystem of the Celaque mountain range. The name "Celaque" comes from the Lenca language and means "water box," reflecting the area's importance as a water source. The park's history is intertwined with the indigenous Lenca people, who have inhabited the region for centuries. Activities in Parque Nacional Celaque include hiking to the summit of Cerro Celaque (a multi-day trek requiring a guide), birdwatching, exploring the cloud forest trails, and camping. The hike to the summit is challenging but rewarding, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. While inside the park, you can enjoy simple meals prepared by local guides, often featuring traditional Honduran ingredients. In Gracias, you can find baleadas, a popular street food, and traditional Honduran dishes like plato tÃpico.
Transportation
To reach Parque Nacional Celaque from Gracias, you can take a local bus or hire a taxi/tuk-tuk to the park entrance. Buses leave from the Gracias central market area towards Belen Gualcho, ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance of Parque Nacional Celaque. From there, you'll need to arrange transportation with a local guide to access the park's trails and the base of Cerro Celaque.