Perched atop a region rich in water resources, covering 42,600 hectares and situated at an elevation of 3,350 meters above sea level, lies the Páramo de Belmira, also known as Santa Inés. It is a magical place that can be seen from the northwest side of the Antioquia Gaia Tower.
It is characterized by the presence of significant plant and animal populations representative of high-mountain ecosystems, which is strategically important for the region’s water supply.
The Belmira moor benefits approximately 64,000 residents in rural areas across eleven municipalities, as well as 980,000 residents in the metropolitan area of Valle de Aburrá.
This is the source of major waterways such as the Río Chico and some tributaries of the Candelaria stream; both major tributaries of the Río Grande; therefore, the conservation of this area is strategic.
The main attraction of the Páramo Belmira is its unique vegetation, found nowhere else in the world; its rich diversity of creeping plants, mosses, and lichens; and the large number of birds, insects, and frogs that live there.
Along the route, you’ll encounter various altitudinal zones with distinct ecosystems: the low montane forest, the high montane forest (or cloud forest), and the páramo.
The first is characterized by its abundance of oak trees and medium- to large-sized tree species. As you climb higher, the vegetation becomes shorter, with small trees and numerous shrubs predominating.
Finally, the moorland is dominated by savannas, creeping vegetation, and frailejones—a species found exclusively in these altitude zones that blooms only once a year.
Photo: @miguelmochilero