Loma Alta Ecological Reserve

🌿 Loma Alta Ecological Reserve
Type	Community-managed ecological reserve
Location	Above Manglaralto, Santa Elena Province
Ecosystem	Coastal cloud forest (bosque nublado costanero)
Access point	Dos Mangas village, ~4 km inland from Manglaralto
Managed by	Comunidad Loma Alta
Altitude range	300–800+ metres above sea level

ECUAWIKI › RUTA DEL SPONDYLUS › DOS MANGAS › NATURE

The Loma Alta Ecological Reserve is a community-managed coastal cloud forest reserve in the hills above Manglaralto, accessible from the village of Dos Mangas. It is one of the last significant patches of coastal cloud forest (bosque nublado costanero) in Ecuador — a rare and highly threatened ecosystem that once covered much of the coastal cordillera.

Why It Matters

Coastal cloud forest occupies an ecological niche between the dry coastal scrub of the lower elevations and the Andean cloud forests further inland. At Loma Alta, the combination of altitude, coastal humidity, and the specific geography of the Santa Elena hills creates conditions for a forest of unusual biodiversity — including endemic species found nowhere else in the world.

The reserve was one of the first in Ecuador to be established and managed entirely by a local indigenous community (the Comunidad Loma Alta), rather than by the state or an NGO. This community-tenure model has been studied internationally as a model for conservation.

Biodiversity

Birds

Loma Alta is considered one of the best birdwatching sites on the Ecuadorian coast. Notable species include:

El Oro Parakeet (Pyrrhura orcesi) — critically endangered endemic
Pacific Royal Flycatcher (Onychorhynchus occidentalis) — near-threatened endemic
Grey-backed Hawk (Pseudastur occidentalis) — endangered endemic
Numerous hummingbird species
Over 200 bird species recorded in the reserve

Mammals

Howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) — audible at dawn; occasionally visible
Puma (Puma concolor) — present but rarely seen
White-nosed coati
Several bat species

Flora

Dense canopy forest with tree ferns, orchids, bromeliads, mosses, and endemic tree species. The forest floor in the higher elevations is carpeted in wet-season mosses.

Visiting

Access

The reserve is accessed via Dos Mangas village, approximately 4 km inland from Manglaralto on the E-15. From La Libertad, take a bus north to Manglaralto and ask locally about the road to Dos Mangas, or take a taxi from Manglaralto (~$3–5).

Guided Treks Only

Entry without a local guide is not permitted. Guides are arranged in Dos Mangas village — ask at the community reception area or at the cantina at the entrance to the trail. Treks typically take 3–6 hours depending on the route chosen.

Guide fees: approximately $10–20 per person. This fee goes directly to the community.

What to Bring

Sturdy shoes or hiking boots — trails are muddy and steep in places
Rain jacket — even in dry season, the upper forest can be wet and misty
Water and snacks
Binoculars for birdwatching
Insect repellent
Start early — birdwatching is best in the first two hours after dawn, and afternoon mist can reduce visibility

Accommodation

Simple accommodation is available in Dos Mangas and in Manglaralto. There are no facilities inside the reserve itself.

Best Season

The reserve is accessible year-round but:

Wet season (Jan–Apr): lush green, full waterfalls, more difficult trail conditions. More biodiversity visible.
Dry season (Jun–Nov): easier trails, good birdwatching, cooler temperatures. The cloud forest is still green at higher elevations even in dry season due to orographic mist.

Conservation Context

The dry forest and scrub surrounding the reserve faces ongoing pressure from agriculture, logging, and settlement. The reserve itself is in good condition, but the buffer zone and corridors connecting it to larger forest patches are fragmented. The community's stewardship over the past two decades has maintained the reserve's integrity when surrounding areas have degraded.