I went on the most BEAUTIFUL 4×4 drive with Cele and Rafael on the 3rd up on a little known route towards Cerro Tute along a place called Cerro Redondo. We had 180 degree views of the mountains, of Santa Fe National Park, of the town of Santa Fe, of the beautiful Santa Maria River that traverses the valley.
So the thing is this, I was wrong. OK. I’m going to go ahead and say it- I was wrong. I’ve always been underwhelmed about Cerro Tute as a destination in the area. It’s written up in all of the guide books (by people who only visit the area overnight – I argue), as somewhere to visit. (Why spend 5 hours hiking up an unforested hill, when the rainforest of Santa Fe
National Park is right there, I would argue). Don’t go to Cerro Tute, go to Cerro Mariposa I would tell guests.
We took a 4×4 road off the main road of Santa Fe to Cerro Redondo (between Montanuela and the Community of Tute Abajo). The dirt road was in good condition, and while we definitely needed 4×4, it was easily passible. The road connected to the road to Cerro Tute, and we looped back down to Santa Fe. Total time: 1.5 hrs.
I would love to come up with a tour that goes along this route – sunset horseback ride anyone? While I still maintain that the normal route to Cerro Tute is not that great (not what you should do if you only have a couple days in the area) – this route is. And is a great short alternative.
