The Peñas Blancas massif is a set of hills that rise about 1,750 meters above sea level, which are part of the so-called "Isabelia mountain range", an alignment of peaks that serves as a dividing line between the tributaries of the rivers Bocay and Coco and the tributaries of the Tuma River. It has 11,308 hectares distributed among the municipalities of El Tuma, La Dalia and Rancho Grande in the department of Matagalpa and in the municipality of El Cuá in the department of Jinotega.

It was declared a protected area by Decree 42-91, published in the official newspaper La Gaceta No. 207 on October 31, 1991. Its name is named for the white color of a moss that grows on the rocky cliffs that stand out in the East side of the Massif. This Natural Reserve is one of the six protected areas that make up the BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve and is characterized by having a forest with an almost constant presence of mist.

The main rivers originating from the Peñas Blancas Massifs are the following: in the Río El Cua sub-basin: Gusanera and its tributaries El Sardinal, La Pavona and La Pita; Headwaters of the Cua and its tributaries La Trinchera, Nuevo, La Esperanza and Bocaycito; Río Bocay Arriba sub-basin: headwaters of the Río Bocay and its tributaries Río Lana Arriba, Río La Lana and El Bote. In the Tuma-Wasaka sub-basin: headwaters of the Bijao River and its tributaries Bulbul, El Ojoche and San Antonio and Bulbulito; headwaters of the Wasaka River and its tributaries La Pita and El Sardinal; and in the sub-basin of the Yaoska River: the Yaosca River.

This reserve has emblematic fauna species such as the jaguar, puma and the quetzal; From the latter, two nesting areas have been identified, on the west side at 1,600 meters above sea level and in the northern part at Cerro el Horno at 1,620 meters above sea level and the other on the south-east side, in the forest of the Rancho farm. Cheerful. Among the birds found in the Massif there are numerous migratory species, the caridorated warbler standing out.

Activities

  • Trekking, until you reach the Arco Iris waterfall, La Pavona waterfall and La Sonora waterfall
  • Observation of flora and fauna
  • Caminata by the shade coffee plantations.
  • Landscaping and photography

visit him

  • Own vehicle, from Managua to Matagalpa, take the road towards El Tuma la Dalia-El Cua following the signs to the community of Peñas Blancas.