One of the places we visit a lot is the El Boliche Recreation Area, this is one 30 mins drive away and provides us with quiet, sometimes we are the only people on the trails, which we enjoy, the isolation, the peacefullness and it is a great way to catch up and talk just the two of us.
It is located next to the National Park Cotopaxi. El Boliche is famous for its pine and cypresses plantations, that cover 200 hectares, and has almost completely replaced the moorlands. The first trees were planted in 1928 in what used to be Romerillos ranch, with the idea of recovering the eroded soil and to reforest the moorlands.
Those were other times: today we know that these plantations affect the soil and biodiversity of this ecosystem, and that the moorland needs to be filled with trees.
Next to this area is the “El Boliche” station of the Empresa de Ferrocarriles del Ecuador (Ecuadorian Railway Company), and thanks to it every weekend thousands of visitors arrive to experience the attractions that this protected area has to offer.
There are a variety of walks, none of them are all that long, and some only about 30 mins, which is great for those with younger ones.
In addition to the trails there is a space for camping, with bbq sites with roof, cabins some with and some without fire places and a play area.
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