Sumapaz National Park

Sumapaz Overview

Sumapaz National Park, known as Parque Nacional Natural Sumapaz in Spanish, is a vast protected area in central Colombia. Covering approximately 852 square miles (2,211 square kilometers), it is located in the Andean region, primarily in the departments of Cundinamarca, Meta, and Huila.

The park is part of the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes and lies just south of Bogotá, making it one of the most accessible high-altitude ecosystems in the country. As the largest páramo ecosystem in the world, it serves as a crucial water source, supplying Bogotá and surrounding areas with fresh water through its extensive wetlands, lagoons, and rivers.

The landscape of Sumapaz National Park is dominated by rolling páramo grasslands interspersed with glacially formed lakes, deep valleys, and rugged mountain peaks. Cerro Nevado del Sumapaz, the highest peak, rises to an elevation of around 14,763 feet (4,500 meters), offering breathtaking views of the surrounding terrain.

The park features numerous lagoons, including Laguna Chisacá and Laguna Los Tunjos, which reflect the dramatic skies above. The region’s vegetation is unique to the páramo ecosystem, characterized by tall frailejones (Espeletia), which are endemic plants with thick, woolly leaves that help retain moisture in the harsh alpine climate. Other plant species include cushion plants, shrubs, and mosses that thrive in the moist, foggy conditions.

Sumapaz National Park is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife adapted to the high-altitude environment. Among the most notable mammals are the spectacled bear, an elusive and endangered species that roams the páramo in search of food. White-tailed deer and Andean tapirs also inhabit the park, moving through its grasslands and forests.

The Andean condor, one of the largest flying birds in the world, soars over the park’s peaks, while smaller bird species like the bearded helmetcrest hummingbird and the rufous-browed conebill can be seen flitting among the frailejones. Amphibians, including endemic frogs, find refuge in the park’s wetlands, adding to its ecological richness.

Visitors to Sumapaz National Park often come to experience its stunning scenery and remote wilderness. Hiking is one of the most popular activities, with trails leading through the páramo to scenic viewpoints and hidden lagoons.

Birdwatching enthusiasts visit the park to spot its rare and endemic species, while wildlife photographers are drawn by the chance to capture images of the elusive animals that inhabit the region. The park is also an important site for scientific research, as its unique ecosystem provides valuable insights into climate change and biodiversity conservation.

Despite its ecological significance, Sumapaz National Park faces several conservation challenges, including illegal agriculture, livestock grazing, and deforestation. Encroachment by human activities threatens the delicate balance of the páramo ecosystem, which is crucial for water regulation.

However, conservation efforts led by Colombian authorities and environmental organizations have made progress in protecting this vital region. Efforts to restore degraded areas, enforce environmental laws, and promote sustainable tourism have contributed to the park’s long-term preservation.

Park Map

Sumapaz National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Sumapaz National Park’s vast páramo landscape and pristine glacial lakes are home to a diverse collection of avian species. Here are some favorites:

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

Buffy Helmetcrest
An endangered hummingbird species, the buffy helmetcrest 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 bird of prey, the black-and-chestnut eagle hunts small mammals and birds in the park’s forests, helping regulate prey populations.

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.

Masked Trogon
With its striking red and green plumage, the masked trogon is one of the most visually stunning birds in the park. It inhabits the cloud forests, feeding on insects and small fruits.

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.

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.

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.

Tawny Antpitta
A ground-dwelling bird commonly seen in the park’s páramo and montane forests, the tawny antpitta forages for insects and small invertebrates among the vegetation.

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

Sumapaz National Park’s vast páramo landscape, pristine glacial lakes, and diverse wildlife make it one of Colombia’s most important conservation areas. As the largest páramo in the world, the park is not only a refuge for rare species but also a vital water source that supports ecosystems and communities far beyond its borders.

Sumapaz National Park, located in the Eastern Andes of Colombia, is the largest páramo ecosystem in the world, covering approximately 333,420 hectares. This high-altitude park is a critical water source, supplying fresh water to millions of people, including the capital, Bogotá. Sumapaz is characterized by rolling grasslands, glacial lakes, and misty cloud forests, creating a unique habitat for a variety of species that have adapted to the harsh páramo environment.

Popular Wildlife in Sumapaz National Park

Spectacled Bear
South America’s only bear species, the spectacled bear thrives in the park’s páramo and cloud forests. It plays a vital role in seed dispersal and maintaining ecosystem balance.

Andean Tapir
Also known as the mountain tapir, this endangered species inhabits the park’s high-altitude forests and wetlands, feeding on a variety of plants and helping with seed dispersal.

Puma
A stealthy predator, the puma roams the park’s páramo and montane forests, hunting deer, rodents, and other small mammals.

White-tailed Deer
A common herbivore in Sumapaz, the white-tailed deer inhabits both páramo and forested areas, feeding on shrubs and grasses.

Andean Fox
A resourceful carnivore, the Andean fox is found throughout the páramo, where it preys on small mammals, birds, and insects.

Northern Pudu
One of the world’s smallest deer species, the northern pudu is a nocturnal herbivore that feeds on leaves, fruits, and fungi in the park’s dense vegetation.

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 páramo and montane forests.

Giant Earthworm
Unique to páramo ecosystems, these massive earthworms play an essential role in soil aeration and nutrient cycling.

Andean Frog
Several species of Andean frogs inhabit Sumapaz, many of which are endemic to Colombia. These amphibians thrive in the cold, humid conditions of the páramo.

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