This route ascends the Cerro Cucurucho (Cucurucho Hill) within a private nature reserve called Finca El Pilar. The reserve is an easy taxi or bus ride from Antigua center. Round trip distance for the route is 9.54 miles with 3,569 ft of gain (15.4 Km/ 1,088 m gain). There is a fee to enter the reserve of 50 quetzals. This is a renowned area for bird and butterfly watching, as well as containing some of the most intact forest cover in the region. It's a marvelous place that is highly worth a visit, even if not attempting the FKT. The route itself is the standard route to the Cucurucho summit. It mostly follows a dirt road of varying steepness. Route finding is easy. The route begins from the last parking area before the mariposario (butterfly area) and the wooden stairs. Start and stop the clock in the parking area right before crossing the first wooden bridge (see photo). The first section of the route ascends an improbable series of wooden staircases anchored to the steep hillside. It's a wonderful section of trail that is filled with bird song and lush vegetation. After the stairs simply continue up the dirt road all the way to the top. Touch the summit stump (see photo) and then enjoy the long descent back to the route start.
