La Muralla National Park
La Muralla National Park is a protected natural area in the Central Highlands area of Honduras. The park is remote, lightly visited, but is known for its wide variety of orchids (more than 120 species, including several endemic to the area). La Muralla also offers great hiking trails and allows camping near the park visitor center.
Understand
editHistory
editLa Muralla joined the Honduras national parks system in January 1993. Since then it has not developed any tourism infrastructure and has been underfunded as many of its supposedly "protected" lands continue being illegally exploited.
Landscape
editIt is a large park, encompassing more than 13,700 hectares of land.
Flora and fauna
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The park's biodiversity is one of the reasons it was designated a national park. Botanists have identified more than 850 plant species in the area including several endemic species that were first discovered in the park. Most interesting to casual visitors are the sheer number of orchids in the park with well over 100 identified species.
The park may also be an interesting stop for birdwatchers who just might catch a sight of the elusive resplendent quetzal.
Climate
editGet in
editLa Muralla National Park is over 200 km north of Tegucigalpa and about 200 km south of La Ceiba by a circuitous route. The best way to get there is with a tour guide or by renting a car and driving.
By car
editFrom Tegucigalpa, drive north on the Carratera a Olancho (RN-15). You will need to turn left onto Carratera a Mangulile (RN-41). You will be on the main road for about 200 km (3-1/2 hours). At Yocon, RN-41 beers to the right (east). Stay straight on the road which will become V-563 headed straight north. You'll reach the park entrance after about 15 km.
Fees and permits
editThe ranger station and park visitor center is open daily from 08:00 to 16:00. Maps and other information is available here and you can register to camp.