Embalse del Neusa

The reservoir was built in the 1950s to regulate the Bogota river and supply water, and the surrounding land was planted with pine and eucalyptus - not native species, which is worth saying, since the original vegetation here was high Andean forest and paramo, and the plantations were put in for timber and erosion control rather than ecology. What resulted is a recreation area at around three thousand metres: camping grounds under the pines, trout fishing, boat and pedalo hire, and walking trails, run by the regional environmental authority. Weekends bring families from Bogota. The altitude makes it cold, particularly at night, and the water is cold enough that swimming is not the attraction.

The landscape

• A 1950s reservoir - built to regulate the Bogota river.
• Planted pine and eucalyptus - introduced, not the original vegetation.
• Camping, fishing and boat hire - the recreation use.
• Three thousand metres of altitude - cold water and cold nights.

When to go

December to March. A full day.

Good to know

The forest is plantation, not native - it looks nothing like the original ecosystem. Nights are close to freezing. Weekends are busy with Bogota families. The water is too cold for comfortable swimming.

Nearby

Zipaquira is south; Guatavita is east.

Key facts