Llaviucu Lagoon in Culebrillas, Ecuador
Located within the Cajas National Park, the alpine lake of Llaviucu Lagoon is accessible via a tranquil day hike through an area home to an alpaca herd, an abandoned brewery, and a serene natural ecosystem rife with life. In the 1970s and 1980s, Llaviucu Lagoon was an experimental site where rainbow trout were introduced and some of the first farms were installed in the region. Near the lagoon is the now-abandoned Azuay Brewery, an old brick house that was once the company's headquarters at the turn of the 20th century. Beer production at the time required large quantities of quality water from the nearby lagoon. Livestock and milk production facilities are also in the area, showcasing the region's economic and agricultural viability. Today, the Cuenca Potable Water Company manages the lagoon, which is part of the hydrographic system that supplies and ensures the city of Cuenca's water security. Laguna de Laviucu is close to the city of Cuenca, less than 30 minutes by car. Access to the lagoon is via a cobbled road that, while in relatively good condition, requires slow travel speeds through a beautiful landscape and across two wooden bridges. Past the ranger checkpoint is a small parking lot and the entrance to the lagoon trail. Once at the lagoon, there is a path that goes around the entire body of water, which can be done quickly even with children. The trail is well-maintained, with wooden walkways across muddy areas. For more experienced hikers, longer and more complex trails are available.
Located within the Cajas National Park, the alpine lake of Llaviucu Lagoon is accessible via a tranquil day hike through an area home to an alpaca herd, an abandoned brewery, and a serene natural ecosystem rife with life.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Llaviucu Lagoon was an experimental site where rainbow trout were introduced and some of the first farms were installed in the region.
Near the lagoon is the now-abandoned Azuay Brewery, an old brick house that was once the company's headquarters at the turn of the 20th century. Beer production at the time required large quantities of quality water from the nearby lagoon. Livestock and milk production facilities are also in the area, showcasing the region's economic and agricultural viability.
Today, the Cuenca Potable Water Company manages the lagoon, which is part of the hydrographic system that supplies and ensures the city of Cuenca's water security.
Laguna de Laviucu is close to the city of Cuenca, less than 30 minutes by car. Access to the lagoon is via a cobbled road that, while in relatively good condition, requires slow travel speeds through a beautiful landscape and across two wooden bridges. Past the ranger checkpoint is a small parking lot and the entrance to the lagoon trail.
Once at the lagoon, there is a path that goes around the entire body of water, which can be done quickly even with children. The trail is well-maintained, with wooden walkways across muddy areas. For more experienced hikers, longer and more complex trails are available.
