Welcome to El Cajas National Park — a breathtaking high-altitude ecosystem located in the Andes Mountains of southern Ecuador, just 30 km (19 miles) from the charming colonial city of Cuenca. As your experienced travel guide, I’m thrilled to introduce you to one of the most underrated natural treasures in South America.
With over 230 glacial lakes, rugged mountains, rolling páramo, and mystical cloud forests, El Cajas is a hiker’s paradise and a sanctuary for Andean wildlife. Whether you’re a birdwatcher, trekker, or simply someone who craves pure mountain air, this park promises solitude, serenity, and soul-stirring scenery.
📍 Where is El Cajas National Park?
El Cajas National Park (Parque Nacional Cajas) lies in the Azuay Province of Ecuador, spanning altitudes from 3,100 to 4,450 meters (10,170–14,600 ft) above sea level. It's part of the continental divide, which means some rivers here flow to the Pacific, while others reach the Amazon basin.
The park is easily accessible by road and is a popular day trip from Cuenca, which is about 45 minutes by car.
🌿 Why Visit El Cajas National Park?
Here’s why El Cajas should be on your Ecuador itinerary:
1. 🥾 Epic Hiking Trails
From short 1-hour loops to full-day treks, El Cajas offers trails for every fitness level. You'll pass shimmering lagoons, jagged peaks, and ancient Polylepis forests, often called the "paper tree" forests.
2. 🐦 Rare Andean Wildlife
El Cajas is home to bird species like the Andean condor, giant hummingbird, and turquoise jay. It also shelters mammals like spectacled bears and mountain tapirs.
3. 💧 Glacial Lakes and Páramo Ecosystem
With more than 230 lakes, El Cajas is a key source of water for Cuenca and a model of ecological balance. The páramo — a high-altitude grassland — is unlike any other biome on Earth.
4. 🌥️ Cloud Forests
The park’s eastern slope features hauntingly beautiful cloud forests with moss-covered trees, orchids, and ferns — a photographer's dream.
📅 Best Time to Visit El Cajas
El Cajas has two main seasons, but thanks to its elevation, weather can change rapidly — you might experience sun, fog, rain, and hail all in a single day.
☀️ Dry Season (June to September):
Best for hiking and camping
Clearer skies and more stable trails
🌧️ Wet Season (October to May):
Lusher landscapes and fewer tourists
Trails can be muddy and visibility limited
🌡️ Average Temperature:
Ranges from 3°C to 15°C (37°F to 59°F) depending on altitude
🧥 What to Wear:
Waterproof jacket
Warm base layers
Hiking boots
Gloves and a hat
🐾 Top Hiking Trails in El Cajas National Park
Let me guide you through some of the most popular and rewarding hikes:
🥾 1. Laguna Toreadora Loop (Ruta 1)
Distance: ~5 km (3.1 miles)
Time: 2–3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Toreadora Visitor Center
This scenic loop takes you through Laguna Toreadora, open páramo, and mossy Polylepis forests. Great for first-time visitors looking for a balanced experience.
🥾 2. Tres Cruces to Toreadora (Ruta 3)
Distance: ~10 km (6.2 miles)
Time: 4–6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Altitude: Starts at ~4,100 m
Begin at the Tres Cruces Viewpoint (the continental divide), then descend through alpine valleys and wetlands toward the Toreadora area. Bring good boots and poles — the descent can be steep and slippery.
🥾 3. Llaviuco Lake Trail
Distance: 1–3 km
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: ~3,100 m
Perfect for acclimatization or families with children. The trail circles the picturesque Laguna Llaviuco, teeming with birds and surrounded by lush cloud forest.
📸 Top Attractions in El Cajas National Park
Besides hiking, here are the park’s unmissable sights:
🌄 Tres Cruces Viewpoint
The highest point in the park (4,167 m), this spot offers sweeping views of valleys below and dramatic cloudscapes — especially at sunrise.
🌳 Polylepis Forests (Quinoa Trees)
These twisted, reddish-barked trees grow at extreme altitudes and create a fairy-tale landscape. They are sacred to indigenous communities and support rare wildlife.
🦜 Birdwatching Hotspots
Don’t forget your binoculars! Look for:
Andean condors
Carunculated caracaras
Giant hummingbirds
Masked trogons
💧 Laguna Luspa & Laguna Osohuaycu
Hidden gems with mirror-like waters, often untouched by crowds.
🛶 Activities in El Cajas Besides Hiking
Camping: Free, but register at a ranger station
Fly Fishing: With permit, in designated lakes
Photography: Golden hour is stunning
Nature Walks: With local guides who know flora & fauna
Horseback Riding: Available near park boundaries
🏨 Where to Stay (Cuenca & Surroundings)
While there’s no hotel inside the park, options abound nearby.
🛌 Stay in Cuenca (45 min drive):
Mid-range: Hotel Victoria, El Dorado Hotel
Boutique: Mansion Alcazar
Budget: Selina Cuenca, La Cigale
🏕️ Mountain Lodges Near Park:
Dos Chorreras Lodge: Rustic comfort with views
Hacienda Guachapala: Great for groups or families
Eco-lodges near Llaviuco and Soldados
🍲 Food & Dining Tips
Bring snacks for the trail, but you’ll find two main places to eat:
1. Refugio Toreadora
Basic meals and hot drinks
Great place to warm up after hiking
2. Dos Chorreras Restaurant
Delicious trout, warm soups, and local dishes
Perfect for a post-hike meal
Must-Try Dishes:
Trucha frita (fried trout)
Locro de papa (potato soup with cheese and avocado)
Canelazo (hot cinnamon cocktail)
🧳 What to Pack for El Cajas
Waterproof hiking boots
Layers (base + fleece + waterproof shell)
Hat, gloves, and scarf
Snacks & water
Camera or phone with extra battery
Sunscreen & sunglasses
Flashlight or headlamp (for camping)
Optional:
Trekking poles
Binoculars
Map or downloaded offline GPS
🚗 How to Get to El Cajas National Park
From Cuenca:
By Car: Rent a car or hire a taxi (~$25 USD round-trip)
By Bus: Buses to Guayaquil stop at Laguna Toreadora (ask the driver) — $2–$3 USD
Tour: Many agencies in Cuenca offer half-day or full-day guided hikes, often including meals
🎟️ Entrance & Regulations
Entry Fee: Free
Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset
Registration: Required at park entrance
Guides: Recommended for long trails or multi-day hikes
⚠️ Altitude Caution: The park is very high! Acclimatize in Cuenca before intense hikes, drink lots of water, and watch for altitude sickness symptoms.
🌱 Responsible Travel Tips
El Cajas is part of Ecuador’s national park system and a biosphere reserve. Help protect this precious ecosystem:
Stay on marked trails
Take your trash out
Don’t pick plants or disturb wildlife
Avoid single-use plastics
Use eco-friendly sunscreen
💬 Final Thoughts: A Land of Clouds, Lakes, and Legends
El Cajas National Park is a land of surreal beauty and quiet grandeur. Every bend in the trail offers a new revelation — a lake glimmering in the sunlight, a condor soaring overhead, or the haunting stillness of a fog-shrouded forest.
For travelers who seek more than selfies and snapshots, Cajas offers a chance to connect with nature on a profound level. It’s not just a park; it’s a place of reflection, resilience, and reverence.
If you’re visiting Cuenca, don’t miss the chance to step into this Andean sanctuary.