A guided biodiversity walk through living food forests and wild riverside habitats—right in the heart of El Castillo.

This isn’t a tour you have to drive to. The Permacultural Pathway begins right in the center of El Castillo—just steps from most guesthouses, cafés, and homes. Designed and maintained by members of the GP Network, this guided experience flows through several interconnected permaculture properties, showcasing real-world food forests, biodiversity, and conservation in action.

Led by Mikey—the trail’s co-creator, caretaker, and guide—you’ll move from cultivated abundance to wild riverside habitats, discovering a living experiment in community-grown ecology.

What to Expect:

• Tropical food forests with guanabana, guava, mountain apple, peach palm, citrus, rubber, bamboo, and more
• Permaculture systems alive in the landscape—practical, experimental, regenerative
• A riverside trail section where monkeys, fungi, birds, and wild plants often appear
• Optional planting activity—leave something behind that grows
• Hidden bathing spots in the cold, clean river—perfect for a health-boosting plunge
• Excellent for photographers, bird watchers, and nature lovers—countless moments worth capturing
• Walking sticks provided by the Network to help on steeper or muddy areas
• Starts at Pura Vista Glamping, easily reachable by foot from anywhere in El Castillo

Trail Conditions & Recommendations:

The trail is moderately challenging—nothing extreme, but visitors should be in generally good health and comfortable walking on uneven terrain.

We recommend bringing:
• Hiking boots or rubber boots
• Rain gear, as mountain weather can change quickly
• Insect repellent—preferably natural and non-toxic. If you don’t have one, ask Mikey; he can often provide locally made alternatives. Please avoid strong synthetic repellents that may harm sensitive environments.

Best Time to Go:

Early mornings and late afternoons are ideal. Mikey often recommends sunrise walks, when the light is soft and wildlife most active. But sunsets along the trail can also be stunning, especially for photography. Many travelers find themselves waking early in the mountain air—making it a perfect time to walk.
Duration: ~1.5 to 2 hours
Cost: Donation-based
Availability: By appointment only
Language: English

What Sets Us Apart

This is not your typical nature walk. The Permacultural Pathway is a grassroots, community-built experience that opens the gates to several connected private properties—all part of a living permaculture network. There are no commercial operators, no mass tourism, and no crowds—just you, the trail, and the biodiversity of the Arenal mountains.

Each walk is exclusive and personal, guided by Mikey, the trail’s creator and charismatic steward. His infectious energy, deep love for wild places, and spontaneous joy (yes, he might climb a tree or jump in the river) leave most guests feeling invigorated, inspired, and connected to something much greater.

Expect a deeply energizing and touching experience, rich in permaculture ethics—from planting a native tree of your choice, to plunging in a wild mountain river. Group sizes are intentionally limited to 12 people maximum, and only one group is hosted at a time, to preserve the intimacy and respect for nature that this trail embodies.

This isn’t just a hike. It’s a celebration of biodiversity, local ecology, and grassroots connection.

Booking Your Exclusive Adventure

Reach out to Mikey via WhatsApp to schedule:

Click here to view Meeting Point

For Visitors, Explorers, and Ecological Dreamers:

This is for anyone who wants a deep, grounded, and unique nature experience—no van, no crowds, no script. Just a trail that exists because of community effort, care for the land, and an open invitation to connect.

Made Possible by the Network

The Permacultural Pathway is more than a trail—it’s a living example of what emerges when people come together with shared values. Born from the GP Network’s gatherings, this experience is one of the first permanent features to arise from neighbor-to-neighbor collaboration.