Editing Pico Duarte (section)

==Climbing information==

There is a system of trails leading up to the summit, with trailheads at several locations (their final stretches to the summit are seen on the topographic map). The easiest access is from the town of [[La Ciénaga, San José de Ocoa|La Ciénaga]], near [[Jarabacoa]]. The trail is {{convert|23.1|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the summit, with a total elevation change of {{Convert|1,977|m}}, and a shelter {{Convert|5|km}} away from the summit at La Comparticion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hiking Pico Duarte|url=http://www.summitpost.org/pico-duarte/150346|website=Summit Post|access-date=10 May 2015}}</ref> Tourist-friendly travel agencies can help arrange trips from this trailhead, using mules in their employ to help lug food, sleeping bags and supplies for the overnight stay in the shelter.<ref>[https://guiasdealturas.com/2021/05/19/hiking-pico-duarte/ A comprehensive guide for Pico Duarte].</ref>

A few fresh water springs labeled "potable" are along the trail, but water filters or [[Water purification|purifying]] tablets are recommended. The majority of hikers travel by this route.

A trailhead northwest of the town of [[San Juan de la Maguana]] is the starting point for four-day (three-night) trips that end at the Ciénaga trailhead (or, for an extra day of hiking, back at the starting location), which are run entirely by local Dominicans who cook the food provided, and help campers along the way. Each night is spent in shelters, and due to the distance traveled, riding by mule-back is strongly encouraged. Far off the beaten path, it is highly unlikely that anyone else can be seen on the trail until the merge with the trail from La Ciénaga. 

According to Dominican Park Service representatives in La Cienaga, while approximately 1,000 hikers visit Pico Duarte during each of the months of December and January; only about 10 to 15 people a day hike the mountain during off-season months.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}