Top Things to do in Loja
Top 5 Nature & Parks in Loja, Loja Province
Discover the best top things to do in Loja, Ecuador including Parque Nacional Yacuri, Mangahurco, Parque Recreacional Jipiro, Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Parque Eolico Villonaco.
Restaurants in Loja
1. Parque Nacional Yacuri
2. Mangahurco
3. Parque Recreacional Jipiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By happytraveler381 - San Antonio, United States
Jipiro Park is really amazing! First of all, it's huge! It has so many activities avilable for everyone. There are playscapes for children, soccer fields, miles of wandering paths and walkways through fields and trees, and the most beautiful buildings that are miniaturized versions of architecture around the world, even an Eiffel Tower! It's a great place to spend an afternoon, or even just a mid-day break to relax and unwind. You simply cannot visit Loja without visiting Jipiro Park!
4. Parque Nacional Podocarpus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By Robert937 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Podocarpus named after a species of tree (conifer) unique to Ecuador is a huge national park. The easiest entrance is from the west at a point called Caxanuma on the road between Loja and Vilcabamba. It can be reached by local bus from both directions. I took a bus from Vilcabamba which took 45 minutes (1.25$). Ask the driver to let you off at Caxanuma (parque entrance) at 2380m where you have to register. Admission is free. From the entrance you can walk up to a refugio at about 2800m at a distance of 8.5 km (took me 1 hour and 45 minutes). At the refugio there are three trail options. I took the trail up to Cumbre (summit) at 3400m on the Miradores trail. The weather was very bad (rain, wind and fog), but I reached the summit in 1 hour and 25 minutes. There was no view (no shelter) and I returned almost immediately as I could hardly stand on my feet because of the wind gusts. It took me 1 hour and 10 minutes to get down to the refugio again (same route). From there I walked back to the park entrance (1 hour and 30 minutes). Despite the bad weather a marvelous experience.
