Finca del ICE: Scenic Nature Trail Near San José 🌿

Finca del ICE is located in La Unión, Cartago, and it’s a hidden gem for outdoor lovers. Home to the María del Rosario Electric Plant, this vast green area has been a favorite spot for cyclists 🚴‍♂️ and hikers 🥾 for years.

Recently, they’ve started a trail-marking project, so now you’ll find signs along the way that make the adventure even better!

🧭 Essential Info

📍 How to get there?

From Cristo de Sabanilla, drive 6 km east until you reach the San Ramón bus terminal.

💵 Cost:

FREE

🪪 Permission:

There might be a guard asking for “permission from the municipality” — just explain you’re only out for a walk and you should be good.

🐾 Pets:

Yes! Dogs are allowed, as long as they’re on a leash.

🚗 Vehicle:

Everyone gets there just fine, but you’ll need to park on the street — no designated parking.

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🎒 What to Bring

• Long pants (some plants may cause a rash) 🌿
• Comfortable walking shoes 👟
• Waterproof jacket 🧥

🍎 Food:

Snacks for the trail and a bottle of water or sports drink 💧

📏 Distance:

8.5 km

⏱ Time:

Approx. 2 hours

🧗 Difficulty:

Moderate

Our Experience at Finca del ICE 🌿

One afternoon we all had plans, so we decided to wake up early and look for a spot close to the city… Glori had been wanting to show us Finca del ICE for a while — a lush, green property perfect for a quick escape into nature.

And honestly, once you start walking, about 15 minutes in you forget how close you are to the city. It's all green around you 🌳, the air feels cleaner, and everything slows down. We were also joined by PRUSIA 🐶 (Trejo’s dog), who couldn’t have been happier running around.

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How to Get There 🚶‍♂️

It might sound complicated, but here’s the step-by-step:

1. 🚗 Park your car near the San Ramón bus terminal.
2. Walk downhill toward Tres Ríos.
3. Pass the Chacón Paut Psychiatric Hospital.
4. About 100 meters after the hospital, turn left onto a gravel road.
5. Cross a pedestrian bridge and keep going until you reach a gate with a sign that says “Microcuenca Galardonada”.

Once there, the trail splits 🛤️ — both paths lead to the same place. We took the one on the right, which is a bit longer but way cooler since it runs along a water pipe 💧.

That trail leads to a water treatment plant where you can take a break, grab a snack, and recharge before heading up the Ruta del Agua trail.

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🏞️ The Water Route

This trail goes deeper into the mountain. It's narrower, more enclosed, and full of vegetation 🌿. It’s not well-marked, but it’s the only path available — so just keep walking and enjoy the nature.

At the end of the trail:

1. You’ll reach a small road and go downhill to a wire gate (it’s always open 🔓 even if it looks locked).
2. Keep walking down to a house/office with another gate and a chain — no need to jump, just unroll the chain (though Karla thought we had to climb over it 🤭).
3. Just remember to leave everything the way you found it 🙏.
4. Walk along a gravel road until you reach a fork. Take the right.
5. At the next intersection, go left toward Rancho Redondo. Keep going downhill until you reach El Pizote chicharronera, about 500 meters from where you parked your car.

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Was it Worth It? 💚

Absolutely! We all thanked Glori for showing us this place because Finca del ICE has everything we love: nature, convenience, and an 8.5 km trail that’s perfect for getting some exercise 🏃‍♀️🚴. Trejos and Glori have even done it running and biking.

Just set aside a morning… and if you’re feeling hungry afterward, grab lunch at El Pizote 🐷 — the perfect reward for getting up early!