The Cerro Negro-Pilas-El Hoyo volcanic complex nature reserve is located approximately 30 kilometers east of the city of León and 11-16 km north of La Paz Centro. It was declared a protected area through Decree 13-20, published in the official newspaper La Gaceta No. 213 on September 8, 1983.

Its extension is 11,569 hectares and it is made up of several volcanic buildings that share the same base; the most prominent being the Pilas volcano, with its active 1089-meter crater El Hoyo; towards the west of the same one rises the Cerro Negro with 726 meters, the youngest and most active volcano in the country; towards the south rises the truncated and extinct cone of Asososca or Ajusco with 818 meters above sea level, at the base of which the crateric lagoon of Asososca, also called Laguna del Tigre, opens.

Asososca Lagoon- El Tigre-

Asososca Lagoon

In the area, climatic zones are identified as the dry tropical forest, tropical transition to humid and pre-montane forest transition to humid; species such as tempisque, panama, ceiba, ojosche, strawberry tree, sardinillo, cachito and jiñocuabo predominate; that give shelter to different animal species such as chocoyos, magpies, rabbits and garrobos.

Activities

  • Landscaping, from the edge of la Asososca Lagoon One of the most beautiful landscapes of the volcanic complex formed by the Momotombo, Momotombito, Pilas-El Hoyo, the lagoon itself and the Lake of Managua with the Chiltepe Peninsula is observed.
  • hiking, towards the El Hoyo crater
  • sandboarding, in the Cerro Negro volcano