Dos Mangas
|
Loma Alta Reserve
Hiking base
|
Cloud forest
Ecosystem
|
~5 km
From Manglaralto
|
Guided only
Trekking access
|
Overview
Dos Mangas is a small rural community situated in the hills approximately 5 km inland from Manglaralto on the Ruta del Spondylus coast. It is the access point for the Loma Alta Ecological Reserve — a community-managed protected area covering cloud forest and transitional dry forest on the coastal Chongón-Colonche mountain range.
The reserve is one of the most important conservation areas in western Ecuador. The coastal Cordillera Chongón-Colonche was once covered in forests that connected the Andes to the sea; today, Loma Alta is one of the last significant fragments remaining. The reserve is managed by the local community of Dos Mangas, who use it for ecotourism, sustainable resource extraction, and conservation. Guided treks into the reserve are arranged through the community.
Loma Alta Ecological Reserve
The reserve covers cloud forest, transitional forest, and open mountain terrain at elevations between 300 and 800 meters above sea level. The biodiversity is exceptional relative to the small size of the reserve:
- Over 130 bird species recorded, including several coastal endemics
- Howler monkeys and other mammals
- Significant orchid diversity
- Multiple freshwater streams and waterfalls
- Panoramic views over the coastal lowlands and, on clear days, toward the Pacific
Trekking in the reserve requires a local guide — both for conservation reasons and because the trails are not marked for independent navigation. Guides are arranged at the community entrance at Dos Mangas. Trek duration ranges from 2 hours (short circuits) to a full day for the higher elevations. Costs are community-set and modest; tipping guides is appreciated.
What to Bring
- Good walking shoes (trails can be muddy year-round)
- Water (streams are not treated; carry your own)
- Sun protection for open sections
- Binoculars for birdwatching
- Rain layer in the wet season (December–April)
The best time for birdwatching is early morning. The trails are passable year-round but are most enjoyable in the dry season (June–November) when mud is reduced and visibility is better.
The Community
Dos Mangas itself is a small agricultural and artisan community. Several residents work in tagua nut carving — producing intricate figures from the ivory-like vegetable ivory nut that grows in the area. Pieces are sold from homes and at the community entrance. The community's engagement in ecotourism is genuine and long-established; revenue from guided treks funds conservation and community development.
Getting There
From Manglaralto: Dos Mangas is approximately 5 km inland, accessible by taxi or camioneta (pickup truck) from Manglaralto. Journey time 15–20 minutes. Taxis and camionetas wait at the Manglaralto bus stop and in the village; agree a fare before departure. Return transport can be arranged with the driver or called from the community.
From La Libertad: Bus to Manglaralto on the E-15 (~1.5 hours), then taxi or camioneta to Dos Mangas.
See Also
- Manglaralto — nearest coastal town
- Portal:Ruta del Spondylus — route overview
- Cloud Forest Trekking — activity guide
- Birdwatching — route guide
Community facts
| Status | Inland comuna in Manglaralto parish, Santa Elena canton |
|---|---|
| Water | Its own community water board |
| Nature | 2,841 ha of forest protected under Socio Bosque (830 people, 230 families) |
| Crafts | Paja toquilla and tagua |
Source: PDOT cantón Santa Elena 2023–2027 (beach lengths p. 220; water coverage of Aguapen's network, Oct 2023, p. 104); PDOT Provincia de Santa Elena 2015–2019 (water boards, p. 216).