Puerta del Diablo Rock Climbing

This is by far the most developed climbing area in the country, as well as the most extensive in all of Central America, with around seventy routes and potential for more first ascents (particularly for those who can climb hard!). The difficulty of the routes oscillates between 5.5 to 5.13b, but the majority are harder than 5.10. There are also a handful of projects in progress that no one – visitor nor local – has been able to complete (not that there has been a long line).

This site is located in the municipality of Panchimalco (but not in the town itself), 30 minutes south of the capital city. Due to its easy accessibility, the area is often quite crowded on the weekends when many people come to eat, hike on the trails, and enjoy the cooler weather as well as the views of the city, the ocean, lakes, and volcanoes. However, don’t think that means there will be long lines at the cliff; climbing hasn’t really taken off yet in San Salvador, so you’ll be lucky if you see more than one other group climbing.

Historically, this place has been alluded to in many legends and mythical stories. Among them is the name, Devil’s Door, which comes from the curious formation of the two large rocks separated by an abyss, which cuts the mountain in what appears to be a giant door that opens to the beautiful countryside below. Among villagers in the area, there has long been a belief that those who try to do construction in this zone find that strange things happen at the work site, leading to an affirmation that there is an impenetrable force that blocks the human hand from altering the area. This same devil has been blamed for other such extraordinary events, depending on who you talk to.

The popular Puerta del Diablo is a symbolic tourist site, still considered to be more or less within the realm of the capital. Its primary characteristic is a relatively fresh climate that prevails as one ascends to the three boulders that comprise the site. Its original name is Naked Peak because many years ago it was only one rock, one summit. According to local accounts, after a storm in 1762, much of the soil was taken away and the land remained permanently changed due to these natural forces. Today, the resulting three main boulders are now locally called the Naked, the Little Naked, and the Big Naked (the translations are a bit rough as English doesn’t have diminutive forms).

From those three main features visitors are afforded an impressive 360-degree view: the capital of San Salvador, Lake Ilopango, Turkey Hill of Cojutepeque, the imposing volcano San Vicente – better known as Chinchontepec. You can also see the picturesque village of Panchimalco and the skyline to the south where the Pacific coastline runs as far as the eye can see – all from an altitude of 3,700 feet.

• 72 routes, mostly sport and single pitch, 5a (5.7) - 7b (5.12), 33x 5.7-10c
• https://issuu.com/verticallabsv/docs/topogu_a_puerta_del_diablo_2019, Issuu - 16-page digital guide, excellent resource.
• 0.5 hours from SAL International airport or San Salvador city
• As of 2025, climbing management and access is evolving and is as follows:
• The ISTU Institute of Tourism is the authority on site and requires all climbers to be accompanied by a local guide (or just a local that they know that is a regular climber there) - OR- visiting climbers to be pre-authorized by the local climbing Federation (see next bullet). They are a nice group of people and seem to want to support international visiting climbers but do need to ensure competence and capability out of concern for safety.
• The Federación Salvadoreña de Montañismo y Escalada is the trusted organization to qualify climbers (assure they have appropriate experience and skills). +503 2224 1627, fsme.org@gmail.com
• The Federation can provide a letter of recommendation to the ISTU to assure your access. Contact them in advance and provide names and climbing experience/resume (email response is good), or Marta Moya +503 72525029 (Phone or WhatsApp). They are also inclined to accommodate international visiting climbers.
• If you contact the local climbing gym, Vertical Lab +503 7816 0239, they will state that “you can only climb with someone who has a permit like us.” They have pre-planned trips seemingly 1-2 weeks in advance, and charge $35 per person.
• Isaac Herrera +503 7315 1971 is a highly experience local that climbs almost daily and can serve as a guide for $35 (per person)
• You must pay separately for entry to the north pinnacle crags and south pinnacle crags, $3 each. Each are behind locked gates. The ISTU will accompany you to the ticket office and then the gate to see you over/into the climbing area.