Piedra (Lost Canyon)
verified
ACA 3B
High flood risk
La Fortuna, Alajuela
Commercially-guided 4 rappel volcanic canyon outside La Fortuna, longest drop about 120 ft, marketed as Lost Canyon by the operator.
This is the marquee tourist canyon out of La Fortuna. Branded Lost Canyon, ropewiki name is Piedra. Trip is heavily packaged: no DIY access. Useful baseline for the canyoneering-curious traveling through Arenal, not a destination for self-led teams. Bajos del Toro to the southeast has the deeper independent inventory.
Logistics
| Manager | Private property (Desafio Adventure Company operates exclusive access) |
|---|---|
| Permit | Commercial guided descent only. The canyon sits on private property and the only legal way to descend is to buy a trip from Desafio Adventure Company. About $100 per person at last published rate, equipment and shuttle from La Fortuna hotels included. |
| Distance | 0.7 |
| Elevation | ~430 ft loss |
| Time | ~2 hr descent |
| Technical | Volcanic basalt water canyon in the rainforest skirts of Arenal. Ropewiki rates 3B I (v3a2 I). 4 rappels, longest about 120 ft. Big rappels suitable for beginners; includes a jumping section and short downclimbs. Fireman's belays on every rappel as part of the commercial protocol. |
| Season | Costa Rica's wet season (May to Nov) is the published preferred window, the canyon runs year round |
| Flood risk | High. Volcanic catchment off Arenal, drops are short but the canyon flashes hard in afternoon convection. The commercial operator makes the go/no-go call. |
| Vehicle access | Passenger car to La Fortuna, shuttle from hotel included in the trip price |
| Crowd | Daily commercial groups in season |
| Coordinates | 10.4254, -84.6489 |
Sources
- operator: https://desafiocostarica.com
- ropewiki: https://ropewiki.com/Piedra_(aka_Lost)_Canyon