Happy Trails

Outdoor enthusiasts, meet your match. El Yunque will get your heart racing.

No trip to Puerto Rico would be complete without a visit to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System. Set in the northeastern corner of Puerto Rico, just 25 miles from San Juan, it's not only a lush, tropical paradise, but also a nature lover's dream. Use this guide to find the best sights, scenic trails, wildest waterfalls and most exciting zip lines.

LA COCA FALLS
Take respite from the dripping tropical heat and pose for unrivaled photo opps at La Coca Falls, where water crashes 85 feet down a sheer rock face. Be sure to bring your swimsuit for a refreshing shower under the falls. PR 191, KM 8.1

YOKAHÚ TOWER OBSERVATION POINT
The Yokahú Tower Observation Point rises from the jungle canopy like a towering chess piece at an elevation of 1,600 feet. Huff and puff your way up the 98 steps, at the top of which you'll be rewarded with a stunning, 360degree panoramic view of the rainforest and northeastern coast. PR 191, KM 8.8

BIRD WATCHING ON THE CAIMITILLO TRAIL
El Yunque packs loads of biodiversity into its small 28,000acre footprint. The rainforest is home to 240 tree species, 50 kinds of bird and 50 different native orchids. Take a detour off the El Yunque trail and onto the 0.2 milelong Caimitillo Trail, and keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Puerto Rican parrot, the bright emeraldgreen plumage of a Puerto Rican Tody or even the Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo, identified by its long tail and reddish underbelly. PR 191, off of El Yunque Trail between KM 11.3 and KM 11.8

YUNKE ZIPLINE ADVENTURE
Whiz through the rainforest 70 feet above the ground, at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. Not for the faint of heart, Yunke Zipline Adventure features two zip lines that total more than 1,225 feet of fun. PR 992, KM 4, Luquillo; 7872423368; www.yunkezipline.wordpress.com.

LA MINA HIKING TRAIL AND FALLS
Hike La Mina, one of six interconnecting trails that total 24 miles. The 0.7mile trail may be short, making it one of El Yunque's most popular trails, but be warned: it gets very steep and pretty narrow. Be dazzled by the 35foottall La Mina Falls, which cascades dramatically into a clear, natural pool. It'll take most of your courage just to dip your big toe into the icy cold water. But this is an adventure, right? Take the plunge — literally — and cannonball into its frigid pool. PR 191, KM 11.7 (Palo Colorado Information Center)

EL YUNQUE HIKING TRAIL
For a more challenging hike, head out on the 2.4milelong El Yunque trail and hike up to its peak — which is 3,496 feet high. From the Palo Colorado Information Center, pass through the Palo Colorado forest and into the higher elevations of the Palma Sierra forest. Along the way, peep tiny Coquí frogs, beautiful butterflies, lizards darting amid the lush ferns and, if you're lucky, maybe a mongoose. The trail can get muddy (it is a rainforest, after all, and gets as much as 240 inches of rainfall a year), so bring a pair of old sneakers you don't mind soiling up. PR 191, KM 12.2.

RAPPELLING WITH AVENTURAS TIERRA ADENTRO
Channel your inner Tarzan by flinging yourself between trees (zip line), swinging from 30 feet in the air, dropping into down into icy water and throwing yourself off 30foothigh cliffs. Your adventure begins with a hike across a riskylooking monkey bridge, followed by a crash course in rappelling. Be warned, this is a challenging course that involves vigorous hiking and climbing. 7877660470; www.aventuraspr.com.

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Only one hour by car from San Juan, El Yunque National Forest (7878881880) is located on Puerto Rico Road 191 in Río Grande, and is open daily from 7:30am to 6pm. For more information, visit El Yunque's official website at fs.usda.gov/elyunque.