With a breathtaking view of Lake Atitlan, it’s easy to spend hours poolside or on the many terraces and decks at La Casa Colibri. But if you ever get tired of all that relaxation, one of the best ways to experience the Mayan towns around the country’s most beautiful lake is on foot. Here’s a guide to some of the best scenic hikes in our little corner of Guatemala.

Onion Fields/Mountainside Lookout

This hike is perfect if you want to simply walk out of La Casa Colibri’s door and get moving. It takes just 10 minutes to reach the starting point for this scenic hike to the Santa Catarina Palopo lookout at Aguas Escondidas. The walk through town is a sight in itself, where local women can be observed weaving on black looms and many Mayan descendants still wear the colorful garb of their ancestors. Winding your way through alleyways and terraced onion fields, you’ll emerge at the trailhead at the top of the village. Following the diagonal mountainside path will take you to a scenic lookout point over 1,000 feet from where you began, bringing you to an elevation of 5,200 feet. There, you’ll enjoy expansive views that will take your breath away. Although the payoff at the end of this 2-3 hour hike is well worth the effort, it can be a bit strenuous. Be sure to bring plenty of water and take your time, enjoying the views, sights, and sounds of nature as you go. You best bet is to start this hike early in the morning—not only to provide yourself with plenty of time, but also to take advantage of the morning shade and cooler temperatures.

Tour the Towns

Another option is to take a 15-minute water taxi ride to the picturesque bay of Paxanax and tour the towns along Lake Atitlan. A 40-minute lakeside hike brings you to the adjacent village of Jaibalito, where our concierge recommends stopping at Club Ven Aca for a tasty lunch before continuing on your adventure. Walk along the lake another 40 minutes and you’ll arrive at Tznuna, a small, traditional Tzutuhil Mayan village where the buildings are still made of adobe mud brick. Here, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to a simple, historic way of life. After wandering around the village, keep going another 40 minutes to San Marcos La Laguna, where you can indulge in (or simply watch) some cliff diving into the lake. Once you’re refreshed, continue your journey to San Pablo La Laguna, another traditional village that features all of the charm and tradition of Mayan Guatemala. At this point, you can either head back to La Casa Colibri or take a pickup taxi up to the next town, where another wonderful hike awaits.

Face of the Maya

The pickup truck ride from San Pablo to Santa Clara La Laguna, which is situated more than 1,000 feet above Lake Atitlan, is an adventure in itself! As you wind your way up to this quaint village, you’ll pass through coffee plantations and forested highlands. Once in town, you can take a short hike to the Rostro de la Maya (face of the Maya), a scenic overlook that resembles the profile of a face when viewed from the lake below. Amazing panoramic views of Lake Atitlan make this overlook a remarkable destination—and on clear days, you can even see all the way to the Pacific Ocean!

San Pedro Volcano Summit

The hike to the summit of the San Pedro Volcano is an extraordinary experience, but is not recommended for the novice hiker. Those up for the challenge of the 4-hour ascent and 3-hour descent through scenic forest and farmland will enjoy astonishing views of Lake Atitlan and the town below from the summit of the volcano itself. The trail begins in the Tzutuhil Mayan village of San Pedro La Laguna, where you can hire a local guide to take you up the mountain for as little as $5.00.

Cloud Forest

A variety of guided hikes through Guatemala’s virgin cloud forest begin in Santiago Atitlan at the back of the bay between San Pedro and Toliman volcanoes. Treks are typically strenuous and a bit lengthy, taking you through various microclimates to see waterfalls, natural springs, tropical foliage, exotic birds, and of course, jaw-dropping views of the lake and countryside. The hiking packages, available at www.funatlakeatitlan.com, include lunch and are a great value for an all-day, unforgettable adventure.

Hiking is a great way to see and experience the Mayan communities that surround Lake Atitlan in a natural, exhilarating way. With many different options to choose from, you can be sure that whatever hikes you choose, you’ll be rewarded with out-of-this-world views and memories to last a lifetime.