Mount Britton, El Yunque Forest PR

• 4-star hike
• 2 miles out and back
• Medium difficulty | Gain 570 feet
• Rio Grande, PR | Puerto Rico
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The image shows an old stone tower with a conical roof, situated in a lush green environment. The tower has an arched entrance without a door and two visible window openings higher up. Surrounding the tower are various tropical plants and trees, with sunlight filtering through the foliage. The sky is partly cloudy, suggesting it might be a warm and humid day.

1938 tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The Mount Britton Trail in Puerto Rico is a captivating hiking experience within El Yunque National Forest. The narrow concrete trail provides a consistent and easy to follow route that snakes gradually upward through lush rainforest. Tall trees and colorful plants create a vibrant canopy, and you can hear the call of native birds and the distinct chirps of the coqui frogs along the way. If you're lucky, you might spot the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.

As you hike higher, you'll enjoy views of the mountains and valleys. The elevation provides a cool respite from the coastal heat and there are several rain shelters along the route in case of an unscheduled tropical rain shower event.
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4★ Mt Britton Trail 1.6 mi out & back, medium, gain 570 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

When the concrete path ends, head up the road and watch out for the final narrow and weathered asphalt trail that will lead you to the 3,087 foot summit and the observation tower. The steps within the tower are always accessible, and the tower itself offers breathtaking panoramic views of the mountainous El Yunque rainforest, as well as the expansive vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Be sure to check the park's website before visiting as hurricane reconstruction efforts are still underway, some roads and trails are closed and park visitor numbers may still be limited by a reservation system.

The image shows a split view of a tropical location. On the left, there’s a close-up of vibrant green palm leaves and red flowers against a clear blue sky. On the right, an individual is walking on a narrow dirt path surrounded by dense greenery, suggesting an outdoor hiking trail or nature walk.

Lush rainforest and mountain views along this short trail.

The image shows a lush green landscape with a prominent hill or small mountain in the center, topped by what appears to be a stone structure. The sky is clear with few clouds, and the vegetation includes several tall palm trees.

Tower target visible from the trailhead.

Tangents:
• US Forest Service: El Yunque National Forest
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Tower Trail
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

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