The national park of El Cajas has around 235 lakes and one of the most scenic ones is Laguna La Toreador which lies at 3100 meters above sea level. It’s located about 45 minutes off the highway which goes from Cuenca to Guayaquil. There are several trails here and all are clearly signposted. The site has a parking lot and visitor’s center with a cafe/restaurant to grab some drinks and snacks. This place comes in very handy to take refuge from the cold weather that hits the area in the late afternoon. There is also a room with information panels with regards to the flora and fauna that can be found in the park. For the more adventurous travelers, there are lodging facilities to stay overnight in order to do one of the longer trails that leave in the early morning.
The weather in the national park can be unpredictable and changes drastically throughout the day. The mornings are generally sunny with clear skies whereas the afternoons tend to be cloudy with strong winds and rain. If weather conditions are bad in the afternoon, the park officials may not let you go on the trails, so its best to visit the site in the morning. The climate is mainly due to the hot air from the coast meeting the cold air in the Andes. Constant rainfall and the melting of glaciers are the water sources for the many lakes at the national park. Given this type of weather, it’s important to take both sunblock and warm clothing. The trails can also get muddy so you should also wear appropriate footwear. The area is rich in flora and fauna where the famed cloud forests are home to many different species. It is also a popular place for fishing and bird watching. If you manage to visit the park with clear skies, the viewpoint from Tres Cruces will afford great panoramic views. If it is cloudy and rainy, you’ll bear witness to mystical landscapes of the many lakes.
