Ybycuí National Park, Natural reserve with waterfalls and iron foundry ruins in Paraguari, Paraguay
The protected area spans 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres) with steep hills reaching 400 meters (1,312 feet) in elevation, traversed by numerous streams that create waterfalls and natural pools throughout the terrain. The landscape encompasses dense forests, rock formations, and multiple hiking trails leading to different viewpoints and water features. Within its boundaries lie archaeological remnants of 19th-century industrial facilities preserved among the natural vegetation and topographical variations of the region.
La Rosada Iron Foundry was established during the 1850s as part of Carlos Antonio López's industrialization program, producing iron goods for infrastructure projects and military purposes throughout that decade. Brazilian troops destroyed the facility in 1869 during the Triple Alliance War, ending production and leaving the buildings to deteriorate over subsequent decades. The area received national park status in 1973 to preserve both the historical sites and natural ecosystems for future generations and research purposes.
The park preserves remnants of La Rosada Iron Foundry, which functioned as one of Paraguay's first industrial sites during Carlos Antonio López's modernization program and now stands as a monument to 19th-century technological advancement. The facility symbolizes Paraguay's efforts toward economic independence before the Triple Alliance War and attracts visitors interested in South American industrial development and the country's transformation attempts during that era.
The park opens Monday through Saturday from 8:00 to 18:00 and Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00, with admission fees collected at the entrance. Visitors can reach the area via Ruta 1 from Asunción, traveling approximately 93 miles (150 kilometers), then following secondary roads toward Ybycuí town. Facilities include restrooms, picnic areas, and marked trails of varying difficulty levels, while camping opportunities are available with advance registration at park offices.
The park shelters 42 mammal species, 129 bird species, and several amphibian and reptile varieties, including threatened animals such as pumas and ocelots that find refuge in the dense forest areas. The 40-foot (12-meter) Guaraní Falls create natural swimming areas where visitors can bathe in clear waters that collect in rock pools surrounded by lush vegetation, offering refreshment after hiking through the protected terrain.
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