In this Daily: The Southern Highlands Trails Bring Two New Elements to Town as Costa Rican Mountain Biking Destination
Two new single track mountain biking trails opened at the beginning of January 2020 in the 1000 acre tropical dry forest reserve in Las Catalinas. These bikeable trails include a circular loop through the Southern Highlands, the highest part of Las Catalinas, as well as the first dedicated downhill, which continues to add to town as a fascinating mountain biking destination.
The turn-off for the new trails off of the downhill section of Zapotal. The fastest way to get there from town is to head straight up La Cuesta, turning right onto Zapotal at the crossroads, then riding past the turn off for McHenry peak, and then heading downhill to the second crossroads.
From the crossroads on Zapotal, the trail quickly climbs through the forest towards the edge of the southern highlands, bringing views over the Zapotal valley. From many points on these trails, no homes, houses, or other structures are visible, bringing hillside panoramas of rich and untouched forest that make this trail feel utterly immersed in the heart of the forest.
From Zapotal up to the Highlands loop brings a moderate to significant elevation change, a climb that is rewarded upon arrival at the Highlands Loop.
The Highlands Loop was built based on the learnings of earlier trails and inspired by some favorite flow-riding single track in the forests of the southeastern United States, particularly the high country of North Carolina.
As first true loop in town (compared to Vuelta, which has overlapping trail as more of an out-and-back), the Highlands Loop has a net elevation change of zero, allowing for the skilled rider to carry momentum through nearly the entire trail on a series of swooping curves that wind through the forest, briefly out along the border of Pacific Heights, and back down into the woods, for a blend of urban and tropical forest backdrops.
The loop has a similar bikeable flow in both directions, resulting in one of the most satisfying trails in town to repeat or run back in reverse.
Directly out past the Highlands Loop is the Highlands Downhill, the first specifically designed downhill in Las Catalinas. Starting at the beginning of the Highlands Loop and winding down the edge of the hillside to the point overlook beyond Sugar Beach, the Highlands Downhill is a ten minute or more sustained downhill ride complete with a number of curved berms, switchbacks, and swooping flow portions.
On a scale of most downhills, the Highlands Downhill would be considered a light green, in line with the all-play accessibility of all trails in Las Catalinas. However, compared to the trails at Las Catalinas, it presents a shake-up to the rise-and-flow nature of the majority of the trails and a welcome reward at the end of a long ride.
There are a few factors that set these trails apart in Las Catalinas. For the Highland Loop, it is the trail’s ability to keep a flow in both directions. For the Highland Downhill, the standout factors are the tremendous views, the ease with which it’s possible to maintain momentum, and the difficulty level, which is challenging enough for some pulse-pounding excitement, but also consistently fun and safe even at night.
There are two common loops that include these new trails. The first is the shortest, a direct route straight up La Cuesta, and then across Zapotal past McHenry, and finally down to the turnoff for the Highlands trails, followed by a road ride back to town. The second option, for a nearly 25km loop, is as an addition to a traditional Reto. Starting from Principal, this second route proceeds through Guachipelines, down Secreto, across Arboretum to Zapotal, and then up to the Highlands Loop, finishing off a well-done ride with the Highlands Downhill.
In all, these two trails add a new dimension to mountain bike riding at Las Catalinas. Combined with the existing trails, the accessibility of backcountry riding like the Guanacaste Waterfall tour, and the numerous mountain biking destinations like Rincón de la Vieja, Bagaces, Hacienda Guachipelin, Bahía Parata, and Liberia all within a short drive, town continues to grow as one of the best mountain biking destinations in Central America.
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