Imagine a mysterious, enchanted forest with giant flowers as abundant as an army of epic proportions; millenary trees that seem to come from a fairy story and lakes so beautiful they look like one of Renoir’s landscapes. This fairy tale exists in the province of Carchi, Ecuador, at a dream-like place called the Ángel Ecological Reserve: a protected reserve of more than 15.000 hectares that has formed a unique landscape right under the clouds, at 4000m (13123ft) above the sea level.
Arriving to this place, the first impression comes from the numerous frailejones, a type of giant plant with flowers similar to sunflowers that has profusely scattered among the weeds in this area. The frailejón is called like that because, in days of intense fog, it looks like the head of a friar (the word fraile means friar). This plant is commonly found at the Andes and in some parts of Canada, but the Ángel reserve is the only one in the world with frailejones of such size –with some of them growing up to 4 meters (13ft)– all arranged one after the other into an almost perfect row.
It is said that this area was once burnt, and that this plant was the only survivor. After the fire, the plant got stronger and reproduced on a large scale, forming the landscape that we see nowadays. Visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to make a stop at any of the viewpoints located along the forest’s paths. There, they are able to observe from high up these surroundings so wonderful the cold weather doesn’t seem to matter much anymore.
The road leads to Voladero, a great lake whose water level has been decreasing over thousands of years, forming a group of three smaller lakes that lie in a breathtaking landscape. The contrast between the green, the blue and the multicolored orchids, added to the striking cold weather and the wind where birds seem to float, makes it impossible not to sit down and do nothing but contemplate, feeling part of this beautiful place.
The landscape changes drastically at the enchanted forest of Polylepis, or Paper Trees. The magical sceneries found at the fairy tales come to life in this forest. Brooks, waterfalls, wooden suspension bridges and amazing trees give visitors the impression of being in a Lord of the Rings or Peter Pan sequel. If you have the opportunity to stay over for a night, you can’t miss the night walk with torches, where the legends of dwarfs, fairies and other magical creatures feel more real than ever. The name of “paper tree” is due to the tree’s old age, which makes strips of bark as thin as a paper peel off its trunk.
Located 170km (105mi) north of the city of Quito, the Ángel Ecological Reserve could be defined as an existing imaginary world. It is a life source for the region and a lung for the world: definitely a visitors’ must-see.
Photo: Paramo
