Location: Quindío and Tolima department Map
Area: 58,300 hectares (225 sq mi
Los Nevados National Natural Park (Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados) is a prominent protected area in Colombia's Cordillera Central of the Andes, spanning 58,300 hectares across the departments of Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda, and Tolima. It encompasses a dramatic volcanic landscape featuring Colombia's highest and northernmost active volcanoes, including the glacier-capped Nevado del Ruiz (5,321 meters), Nevado del Tolima (5,215 meters), and Nevado de Santa Isabel (4,965 meters), along with other structures like Nevado del Quindío, Nevado El Cisne, Paramillo de Santa Rosa, and craters such as La Olleta and La Piraña. Located in the heart of the Coffee Cultural Landscape (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the park serves as a vital hydrological hub, supplying water to farmlands, aqueducts, and over 2 million people in central Colombia through rivers feeding into the Magdalena and Cauca watersheds. It integrates diverse ecosystems from Andean forests to super-páramos, making it a biodiversity hotspot and a prime destination for ecotourism and adventure.
The park's rugged terrain is shaped by volcanic and
glacial activity, with elevations ranging from about 2,200 meters on the
western slopes to over 5,300 meters at the summits, featuring U-shaped
valleys, moraines, and extrusive igneous rock formations. Key
geographical features include the Otún Lagoon (a Ramsar-recognized
wetland in an extinct crater), Green Lake, and high-altitude lagoons,
peat bogs, and swamps. It straddles municipalities like Manizales,
Pereira, Salento, Ibagué, and Murillo, with access points from the north
(Brisas sector), east (Cocora Valley), and other borders.
The climate
is cold and variable due to high altitudes, with low temperatures,
intense solar radiation, strong winds, and unpredictable weather
influenced by elevation. Dry seasons occur from December to February and
July to August, ideal for activities, though rain can make trails muddy
year-round. Páramo and super-páramo zones experience freezing
conditions, while lower areas are milder but still cool and humid.
Established in 1973 as part of Colombia's National
System of Protected Areas (SINAP), the park was created to safeguard its
unique volcanic ecosystems and water resources. It gained tragic
notoriety from the 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz, which caused the
Armero Tragedy, killing over 23,000 people due to lahars (volcanic
mudflows). Recent volcanic activity led to a temporary closure from
March 31, 2023, to August 10, 2023, with ongoing restrictions based on
alert levels from the Servicio Geológico Colombiano (currently Yellow
Alert for Ruiz).
Culturally, the park is embedded in the Coffee
Cultural Landscape, fostering harmony between conservation and local
communities, including coffee growers who rely on its water sources. It
promotes sustainable ecotourism, connecting with regional environmental
systems like SIRAP Eje Cafetero.
Los Nevados boasts exceptional biodiversity across
altitudinal gradients, with ecosystems including Andean forests, high
Andean wetlands, páramos (80% of the area), super-páramos, and nival
zones.
Flora: Over 1,250 vascular plant species, 200 bryophytes, 300
lichens, and 180 macroscopic fungi thrive here. Lower slopes feature
towering Quindío wax palms (Colombia's national tree, up to 60 meters
tall) in valleys like Cocora and El Bosque de Palmas. Páramos are
dominated by frailejones (Espeletia spp.), grasses, scrublands, mosses,
and colorful algae in lagoons, while super-páramos have sparse,
lunar-like vegetation.
Fauna: The park hosts diverse wildlife,
including endangered species. Birds number over 500 recorded species,
with endemics like the buffy helmetcrest hummingbird, páramo
hummingbird, yellow-eared parrot, Fuertes's parrot, rufous-fronted
parakeet, Andean condor, crested eagle, brown-banded antpitta, ruddy
duck, red-breasted partridge, and blue-crowned motmot. Mammals include
the vulnerable mountain tapir, spectacled bear, northern pudú, oncilla,
cougar, white-eared opossum, and woolly monkey. Sanctuaries like La Casa
de Los Colibris highlight hummingbird diversity.
As a Ramsar wetland site (Otún system) and part of the Andean biodiversity corridor, the park is essential for water regulation, supplying 10 basins and 19 streams to major rivers. It protects endangered species and combats glacial retreat—only three glaciers remain from six in the early 20th century, with others melting by the 1960s due to climate change. Threats include volcanic eruptions, habitat loss, and climate variability, mitigated through restrictions, guided tours, and community involvement for sustainable futures.
Highlights include the snow-capped volcanoes, Otún
Lagoon, Cocora Valley's wax palms, hot springs like Termales Cañón and
El Sifon, and waterfalls such as Cascada El Silencio. Activities focus
on ecotourism:
Hiking: Trails like Cocora Valley to Estrella de
Agua (7 km, 890m gain), multi-day treks to La Primavera or Nevado del
Tolima, and high-mountain routes to glaciers (requiring guides).
Birdwatching and Wildlife Observation: Prime for spotting endemics,
especially at hummingbird sanctuaries.
Adventure Sports: Mountain
biking, ice climbing, rock climbing on peaks over 4,800 meters.
Relaxation: Soaking in natural hot springs and exploring lunar-like
moraines.
All activities emphasize low-impact practices, with
authorizations needed for glacier climbs.
Access: From Pereira (4-6 hours east), Manizales
(northern Brisas sector to Valle de las Tumbas), Salento (Willys Jeeps
to Cocora Valley, 25-30 min, COP 3,000-4,000), or Murillo (collectivos
from Líbano). Check volcanic alerts at www.sgc.gov.co.
Entry and
Regulations: Fees vary (subject to change; e.g., COP 3,000 at El Bosque
de Palmas, no fee at some entrances); guided tours mandatory for certain
areas. Prohibited: pets, motorcycles, buses; not recommended for those
with disabilities, heart/respiratory issues, pregnant women, young
children, or seniors.
Best Time to Visit: Dry seasons (Dec-Feb,
Jul-Aug) for clearer trails.
Accommodations: Basic options like El
Cisne visitor center (at 4,050m), fincas (COP 10,000-20,000 meals),
camping (COP 10,000 at Termales Cañón), or nearby hostels in Salento
(e.g., Hostal El Zorzal, COP 81,000 double) and Murillo (Hospedaje La
Posada del Turista, COP 30,000 dorm).
Practical Tips: Acclimatize
gradually; wear waterproof gear, UV sunglasses, and sunscreen; hydrate,
eat high-carb diets pre-trip; avoid alcohol; use specialized guides for
climbs. For ecotourism, combine with coffee tours in the region.
This
park offers an unparalleled blend of adventure, nature, and conservation
in Colombia's Andean heart.