Aguarongo Forest

The Aguarongo forest since 1985 protects the water resources of the canton of Gualaceo and the parishes of San Juan, Jadán, Zhidmad and San Bartolomé, east of Cuenca. It is an important natural instrument for the environmental education of the human communities that live in its surroundings and of the tourists that visit it.

Andean forest, paramo plants, and shrubs grow on 2,080 hectares between 2,280 and 3,320 meters above sea level. Aguarongo is an undulating volcanic plateau. In the interior of the forest proliferates the aguarongo that gives its name to the place, the flower of the Andes or chuquiraua, the valerian, the laurel, the pumamaqui, the gañal, orchids, and numerous shrubs. Wild animals such as spectacled bears, deer, ocelots, guinea pigs and rabbits find refuge here. It is an intact space of nature with magnificent sunsets.

To manage the site, in coordination with the GAD's and nearby communities, offering adequate attention to the visitor, the Environmental Management Center (CGA) carries out tasks of education and interpretation of its natural resources. It offers food and lodging services. Ideal for booking and hiring training events in its multipurpose room or overnight cabins. In line with its institutional objectives, the Center has a network of basic services that are environmentally friendly: a drinking water plant and heaters that run on electricity generated by solar panels.

There are 6 trails to go into the thicket. At some points of these trails there are viewpoints with panoramic views of the Paute River Valley.

The Aguarongo Protected Forest and Vegetation Area (ABVP) was created on July 30, 1985.