A 2-Days Hike to Cerro Musun
What does the word Musun mean?
“Musun
An elevated massif located in the northern part of Río Blanco (Matagalpa). Hill and stream near the Tapasle River (Matagalpa).
The name comes from mu-sumu, meaning “plateau of the Sumus,” where “Sumu” refers to the ethnic group of the Toallas or Tawaskas, and not in the generic sense applied today to all speakers of similar languages. Given that this hill lies beyond the Matagalpa-Sumu border, the toponym can also be interpreted as muih-sum, meaning “people of the matapalos” (Ficus sp.), or muy-suma, meaning “people of the pumpkins.”
Valle derives it simply from musu-m, meaning “in the pozol.”
Father Kiene interprets it as muy, “face,” and suj, “to wash,” thus “where they wash their faces.””
Cerro Musún is located in Río Blanco, Matagalpa, nearly 200 km from downtown Managua. To visit, you can take a bus from Managua or Matagalpa, or choose to rent a car. A 4x4 vehicle is not necessary for this adventure.
A stunning 360-degree view of Rio Blanco City at the Shelter of Cerro Musun
The starting point for this hike is located next to Restaurante Amazonas, a great spot to spend the day with your family. You can also leave your car in the restaurant’s parking lot and begin your journey to the Cerro Musun campsite.
There is a shelter at Cerro Musún where you can spend the night with no additional camping fee. Feel free to bring your tent and sleeping bag to enjoy a full weekend exploring this amazing location. A park ranger is usually stationed at the shelter and can provide assistance with any trails leading to the waterfalls or lagoons in the Cerro Musún Natural Reserve. Once you're settled at the campsite, you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee with the park ranger and even share a delicious Nicaraguan breakfast with him and his family.
La Golondrina Waterfall
In addition to waterfalls and lagoons, there are also stunning viewpoints where you can enjoy a spectacular sunrise. For instance, a small hill near the campsite, just a 20-minute walk away, offers a perfect spot to take in the view.
Sunrise at Cerro Musun
However, if you're looking for a higher vantage point to catch an even better sunrise, there are two hills above La Golondrina Waterfall, where you'll not only experience a breathtaking sunrise but also discover a hidden lagoon (shown in the below picture).
Cerro Musún is ideal for people with no previous hiking experience who love exploring new places surrounded by nature, lagoons and waterfalls. If you need assistance organizing your hike to Cerro Musún, you can contact us through our website by clicking on the 'Contact Us' button.
The breathtaking views you'll enjoy on your way back to Río Blanco
Cerro Musún is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Nicaragua.
