If you are heading from Arenal/La Fortuna to Monteverde, you can take boat taxis across the lake. This is a faster alternative to circumnavigating the lake on land.
After visiting the Baikal Museum, walk up behind it and head towards the Baikal Hotel. About 500 feet before the hotel, take the road to the left to get to the gondola. At the top of the mountain is a view that is indescribably beautiful!