Área ecológica de conservación Siete Iglesias, Protected natural area in Morona-Santiago Province, Ecuador.
The Siete Iglesias ecological conservation area is a protected mountain region in the Andes, stretching across steep terrain with elevations between 1,140 and 3,840 meters. The landscape features river valleys, mountain slopes, and alternating patches of forest, grassland, and high-altitude vegetation that shift with the changing elevation.
The protected area was established in 2006 as the first territory under Ecuador's Municipal Ecological Conservation Area system. This designation marked a shift in how local communities could take control of land protection in their regions.
The territory is connected to ancestral Shuar indigenous lands, where communities have maintained their traditional practices and knowledge for generations. The surrounding settlements reflect the arrival of farmers in the 1950s who adapted to mountain life and agricultural rhythms.
Visitors can hike marked trails such as the 7-kilometer Piamonte Trail to Santa Clara waterfalls or up to Pan de Azucar mountain, with certified local guides available for assistance. The dryer months offer better hiking conditions, as rainfall can make paths slippery and challenging to navigate.
The area contains three distinct climate zones stacked closely together: high-altitude equatorial, semi-humid subtropical, and warm tropical lowland climates. This variety in a compact space means plant and animal life shift rapidly as elevation changes during a single hike.
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