The Cerros de Escazú is a mountain range

Mountain range

A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...

 in central Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....

. It borders the Central Valley

Costa Rican Central Valley

The Central Valley is a plateau and a geographic region of central Costa Rica. The land in the valley is a relative plain, despite being surrounded by several mountains and volcanos, the latter part of the Central Range. The region houses almost three quarters of Costa Ricans, and includes the...

 to the south and is considered the northernmost portion of the Cordillera de Talamanca

Cordillera de Talamanca

The Cordillera de Talamanca is a mountain range that lies on the border between Costa Rica and Panama. Much of the range and the area around it is included in the La Amistad International Park, which also is shared between the two countries....

. The highest peak is Cerro Rabo de Mico

Cerro Rabo de Mico

The Cerro Rabo de Mico is the highest mountain of the Cerros de Escazú, Costa Rica with . Rabo de mico means literally 'monkey tail' although this denomination probably comes from a tree fern that is locally called like that....

 with 2428 m (7,966 ft), followed closely by Cerro Cedral

Cerro Cedral

The Cerro Cedral is the second highest mountain of the Cerros de Escazú, Costa Rica with . Cedral means 'cedar forest' referring to an endangered tree species locally known as Cedro Dulce, which occurs there....

 with 2420 m (7,940 ft). Other relevant mountains include Cerro Pico Alto

Cerro Pico Alto

The Cerro Pico Alto is the third highest mountain of the Cerros de Escazú, Costa Rica with . Pico Alto means high peak....

 with 2353 m (7,720 ft), Cerro Pico Blanco

Cerro Pico Blanco

The Cerro Pico Blanco is the second highest mountain of the Cerros de Escazú, Costa Rica with 2,428 meters . Pico Blanco means literally 'white peak' making reference of the rocky outcropping close to its highest point, that looks light gray from the Central Valley.It is a good destination for a...

 2271 m (7,451 ft) and Cerro San Miguel

Cerro San Miguel

The Cerro San Miguel is the fourth highest mountain of the Cerros de Escazú, Costa Rica . San Miguel makes reference to Saint Michael.In 1933 a 26-meter-tall iron cross was installed on the top of the mountain, and is known as the Cross of Alajuelita. It is lighted by night since 1984 and has...

 with 2035 m (6,677 ft).

While in the San José

San José, Costa Rica

San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...

, the Cerros de Escazú can be seen to the south-west. The name is taken from the city Escazú, which lies on the northern slopes. Other nearby cities are Santa Ana

Santa Ana, Costa Rica

Santa Ana is a city in the Central District of Santa Ana, Santa Ana Canton, San José Province, Costa Rica. It is located at around . The city acts as seat to the municipal government of the Santa Ana Canton...

, Ciudad Colón

Ciudad Colón

Ciudad Colon is a small town situated west of Santa Ana, Costa Rica. Ciudad Colon is the head city of Mora Canton, San José Province. It is famous for its warm climate, proximity to nature and its surrounding mountains, folkloric traditions, horse riding, and multiculturalism. Located some...

, Tabarcia, Palmichal, Alajuelita and Aserrí. The area is encompassed by various cantones

Cantons of Costa Rica

This is a list of the cantons of Costa Rica.Cantons are the second-level administrative division of Costa Rica. The country's seven provinces are subdivided into 81 cantons , and these are further subdivided into districts .A unique feature of the cantons is that they are the only administrative...

: Escazú

Escazú Canton

Escazú is the name of the second canton in the province of San José in Costa Rica. The canton covers an area of 34.49 km². The canton lies west to San José Canton and its whole territory is part of San José Metropolitan Area...

, Santa Ana

Santa Ana Canton

Santa Ana is the name of the 9th canton in the province of San José in Costa Rica. The canton covers an area of 61.42 km², and has a population of 36,963...

, Mora

Mora Canton

Mora is the name of the 7th canton in the province of San José in Costa Rica. The canton covers an area of 162.04 km², and has a population of 23,004. The capital city of the canton is Ciudad Colón....

, Acosta, Aserrí

Aserrí Canton

Aserrí is the name of the 6th canton in the province of San José in Costa Rica. The canton covers an area of 167.10 km², and has a population of 52,808. The capital city of the canton is also called Aserrí....

 and Alajuelita.

It is a popular destination for mountain bikers

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...

 and hikers

Hiking

Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...

 although there are no clearly marked trails.

Quitirrisí, in the Cerros de Escazú, is the Indian reserve which lies closest to the capital, San José

San José, Costa Rica

San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...

.

Due to its position, this mountain range has several climatic influences that are reflected in the habitat diversity and biodiversity. In an attempt to protect this biological richness but also the local watersheds, the Cerros de Escazú Protected Zone, the El Rodeo Protected Zone and the Quitirrisí Protected Zone were created.