Tomastepeque

Description

Tomastepeque Peak. Alternative names: Pico Palencia, Cerro Tomastepeque. Over 2150 meters above sea level. Easy to climb, excellent for beginners trekkers or just for trainings.

Totally cover with vegetation, very wet area. Fresh weather mostly of times and is possible to climb it at any season. Surrounded with vertical walls of rocks, but are so wet so is not recomended to rockclimb. To avoid part of the vertical wall locals installed wood stairs, then a tiny trail very steep goes direct to the top.

Is posible to climb it in a few minutes, 20 or 30. I prefer to start walking from Palencia town, takes a couple of hours more. Nice views around natural vegetation and green's plantations.

Views are fantastics from the summit, many mountains, towns, volcanoes and Guatemala city. Perfect views is on the dry season at sunset (october-march).

A) GUATEMALA - PALENCIA (35 minutes)

From Guatemala city to the north exit, (Atlantic route). On 19km take the right road searching Palencia. Palencia is 29 kms from Guatemala city. In the town is a dirt road to the peak. Just ask and anyone can show you the path. A 4x4 vehicle is needed, but I prefer to walk. Take a couple of hours more, peaks is visible from many areas and depend of you location the shape changes radically.

B)SAN JOSE PINULA - PALENCIA (1 hours)

From Guatemala take the route to El Salvador. Get in the San Jose Pinula, the go direct to Palencia in a pavimented road. Peak is very visible from many areas.

Thanks to Christian Rodriguez for this description.