Los Nevados National Park

Los Nevados Overview

Los Nevados National Natural Park, or Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados in Spanish, is a stunning protected area located in the central Andes of Colombia.

Spanning approximately 583 square miles (1,503 square kilometers), this park stretches across the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, and Tolima. Dominated by towering volcanoes, the park’s most iconic feature is the Nevado del Ruiz, which reaches an elevation of 17,457 feet (5,321 meters).

Other notable peaks include Nevado del Tolima, Nevado de Santa Isabel, and Paramillo del Quindío. These snow-capped mountains contrast sharply with the lush cloud forests, páramo ecosystems, and glacial lakes that define the park’s diverse landscapes.

The terrain of Los Nevados is characterized by dramatic elevation changes, from the lowland forests at around 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) to the windswept páramo and towering glacial peaks. The páramo, a unique high-altitude tropical ecosystem, is home to giant frailejones (Espeletia), which thrive in the cold, misty environment.

These strange, fuzzy plants help retain moisture and regulate the region’s hydrological cycles. Expansive grasslands and high-altitude lagoons, such as Laguna del Otún and Laguna Verde, dot the park, creating serene reflections of the surrounding mountains. The lower altitudes host dense Andean forests filled with moss-covered trees and vibrant orchids.

Los Nevados is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife, including some of Colombia’s most elusive species. The Andean condor, one of the world’s largest flying birds, soars over the peaks, while the endangered mountain tapir quietly roams the páramo.

Other notable mammals include the spectacled bear, a symbol of conservation in South America, and the white-tailed deer. The park also shelters a variety of primates and small carnivores. Birdwatchers can spot an impressive array of avian species, from the colorful bearded helmetcrest hummingbird to the endemic buffy helmetcrest. The park’s lakes and wetlands attract migratory waterfowl, adding to the rich biodiversity.

Popular attractions within the park include treks to the summits of its volcanoes, with guided expeditions leading climbers to the snow-covered peaks of Nevado del Ruiz and Nevado del Tolima. Hikers can traverse the scenic Valle de Cocora, a gateway to the park known for its towering wax palms.

The hot springs of Termales del Ruiz offer a relaxing experience amidst the high-altitude wilderness. Laguna del Otún, a glacial lake situated at over 12,000 feet (3,700 meters), is a favorite for camping and photography. Adventure seekers often engage in mountaineering, rock climbing, and even skiing when conditions allow.

Visitors to Los Nevados can experience the park through various outdoor activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and ecological tours that educate travelers about the páramo ecosystem. Horseback riding is another popular way to explore the terrain, especially for those venturing through the Cocora Valley.

Many trails wind through the park, offering breathtaking views of glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanic craters. Local guides provide valuable insights into the region’s fragile environment, indigenous heritage, and conservation efforts.

Los Nevados faces conservation challenges, primarily due to glacial retreat caused by climate change. The park’s once-massive glaciers have significantly shrunk in recent decades, threatening the water supply for surrounding communities. Deforestation and tourism pressure also pose risks to the delicate páramo ecosystem.

However, conservation efforts, including reforestation initiatives and stricter visitor regulations, have helped mitigate some of these impacts. Colombia’s national park system actively monitors the park’s biodiversity and collaborates with local communities to promote sustainable tourism.

Despite these challenges, Los Nevados remains a vital stronghold for Andean wildlife and a breathtaking destination for nature lovers.

Park Map

Los Nevados National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Los Nevados National Park is a prime birdwatching destination, home to a wide variety of high-altitude and cloud forest species.

Buffy Helmetcrest
This endangered hummingbird species is found exclusively in páramo ecosystems, where it feeds on high-altitude flowers and serves as a key pollinator.

Black-and-chestnut Eagle
A powerful raptor, the black-and-chestnut eagle preys on small mammals and birds in the park’s forests, helping control prey populations.

Masked Trogon
With its striking red and green plumage, the masked trogon is commonly seen in the park’s cloud forests, where it feeds on insects and small fruits.

Golden-fronted Whitestart
A brightly colored warbler species, the golden-fronted whitestart is commonly seen flitting among shrubs and trees in the park’s montane forests.

Sword-billed Hummingbird
This remarkable hummingbird has an extraordinarily long bill, which it uses to feed on nectar from deep flowers, making it an essential pollinator.

Andean Guan
A large, turkey-like bird, the Andean guan forages for fruits and leaves in the cloud forests. It is a vital seed disperser that helps maintain plant diversity.

Rufous-bellied Nighthawk
A nocturnal species, the rufous-bellied nighthawk is often seen gliding over the páramo at dusk, hunting for insects.

Shining Sunbeam
A dazzling hummingbird with iridescent golden-brown plumage, the shining sunbeam is well adapted to the park’s high-altitude conditions.

Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer
This high-altitude specialist has a uniquely curved bill that allows it to pierce flowers and extract nectar, making it an important pollinator in the páramo.

Purple-backed Thornbill
One of the smallest hummingbirds in the park, the purple-backed thornbill is recognized by its iridescent plumage and rapid flight.

Los Nevados National Park’s dramatic landscapes, from volcanic summits to páramo grasslands and cloud forests, make it one of Colombia’s most spectacular and ecologically significant protected areas. Whether for wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, or adventure seekers, the park offers an incredible opportunity to experience the biodiversity and natural beauty of the Central Andes.

Los Nevados National Park, located in the heart of the Colombian Andes, is a stunning high-altitude protected area known for its snow-capped volcanoes, páramo ecosystems, glacial lakes, and cloud forests. Covering approximately 583,000 hectares, the park is home to several towering peaks, including Nevado del Ruiz, Nevado del Tolima, and Nevado de Santa Isabel. This diverse range of ecosystems provides critical habitat for many unique and endangered species, making it one of Colombia’s most important national parks.

Spectacled Bear
The only bear species in South America, the spectacled bear inhabits the park’s cloud forests and páramo. It is a key seed disperser, feeding on fruits, bromeliads, and small vertebrates.

Andean Condor
One of the largest flying birds in the world, the Andean condor soars over the park’s rugged peaks, scavenging for carrion and playing a vital role in the ecosystem.

Puma
A highly adaptable predator, the puma roams the park’s forests and páramo, preying on deer, rodents, and other small mammals.

Andean Tapir
Also known as the mountain tapir, this endangered species is a keystone herbivore in the high-altitude forests of Los Nevados. It helps maintain plant diversity by dispersing seeds.

Colombian Weasel
One of the rarest mammals in South America, the Colombian weasel is a small but highly efficient predator that preys on rodents and amphibians in the park’s humid forests.

Northern Pudu
One of the world’s smallest deer species, the northern pudu is a shy, forest-dwelling herbivore that feeds on leaves, fruits, and fungi in the montane forests of Los Nevados.

Andean Fox
This resourceful predator is commonly found in the páramo, preying on small mammals, birds, and insects. It is often seen near open grasslands and rocky slopes.

Mountain Coati
A relative of the raccoon, the mountain coati is an omnivorous and social mammal that forages for fruits, insects, and small vertebrates in the cloud forests and páramo.

White-tailed Deer
This herbivore is commonly seen in the park’s high-altitude forests and páramo, where it helps shape the vegetation by grazing on shrubs and grasses.

Andean Frog
Several species of Andean frogs inhabit the park’s páramo and cloud forests, including many that are endemic to Colombia. These amphibians thrive in the cold, humid conditions.