Celaque National Park, National park in Lempira Department, Honduras.
Celaque National Park is a protected area in Lempira Department in western Honduras, covering 26,378 hectares of cloud forest and steep mountain slopes. The highest point in the country rises here at 2,849 meters (9,347 feet), towering above dense forests.
The Honduran government established the park in 1987 to protect the region from growing population pressure and deforestation. The creation aimed to safeguard the rainforest that supplies water to many surrounding communities.
The name comes from the Lenca language and means water container, a reference to the eleven rivers that begin here. Hikers often meet clouds hanging between the trees, giving the place its special character.
Five marked trails lead through the grounds to three camping areas, and a visitor center offers information and basic facilities. The hikes require good fitness, as the paths are steep and weather can change quickly.
The endemic salamander Bolitoglossa celaque lives here, found only in these mountains. Nineteen varieties of wild mushrooms grow in the forest and are gathered and eaten by nearby villagers.
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