Floreana Visitor Site: Cerro Alieri/Alieri Hill - Hiking - Ecuador

Cerro Alieri is outside of Puerto Velzsco Ibarra, the tiny town of Floreana Island. To get there, it’s a 15 minute ride in a truck followed by a two-hour hike (round-trip). The hike up to the top of Alieri hill is primarily notable for vegetation: most of the plant species are either native or endemic and the hike will be of great interest to botanists.

One of the plants is the endemic Scalesia tree, which was once abundant on Floreana. Now there are only a few trees scattered around: their decline is due to pressure from goats and early settlers, who cut down the trees to make their homes.

For Galapagos, Cerro Alieri gets a lot of rainfall. The trail may be muddy, so pack accordingly.

Hiking