Ecuador Travel

Giron Waterfalls

Giron Waterfalls

• Prev
• 1 of 2
• Next

Overview

An ideal daytrip from Cuenca, the town of Girón and its famous waterfalls provide activities for history buffs, nature-lovers, and hikers. Located 44km southwest of Cuenca on highway 80, along the route to the coastal town Machala, Girón is only one hour from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cuenca and remains a popular destination for those wishing to see both incredible vistas and more rural lifestyles in the southern highlands of Ecuador.

History

Historically, Girón’s claim to fame is that Antonio José de Sucre, the military leader of Gran Columbia, composed of Ecuador, Venezuela, Columbia, and Panama, and José de La Mar, the military leader of Peru, signed a treaty in the town after the Battle of Tarqui. The Battle of Tarqui took place on February 27, 1829 between the two troops of these men. Gran Columbia was triumphant, and both the battle and the treaty helped Gran Columbia win back control over Guayaquil from the Peruvian troops.

Visitors can get a tour of the building where the treaty was signed, Casa de los Tratados, which now functions as a museum containing weapons, instruments, and clothing used by Ecuadorian military throughout history. The admission fee is under $2 and the museum is open daily from 8am-4pm.

The town itself was named after Captain Francisco Hernández Girón who accompanied Captain Philip Gutierrez on his mission to conquer South America. Girón stayed within the town’s city limits in 1534 and the town was given his name. The city of Girón was also declared a Patrimonio Cultural de la Nación on December 20, 2006.

Of course the history of the town goes back way before the Spanish occupation and the area was initially occupied by the Leoquina culture. During the Inca Empire, the town and surrounding areas were known as Pacaybamba which means guava tree valley. However, when the Spanish arrived many of the indigenous inhabitants migrated into the surrounding mountains and countryside.

What to Do in Giron

Today visitors can stroll through the central plaza where fading houses with wooden balconies and clay-tiled roofs overlook a small park and a modern-looking church. The church was completed in 1968 and the striking stained glass windows of the basilica were made by Guillermo Larrazabal. Banana and Papaya trees grow throughout the town and the lazing iguanas in the plaza and the nearby green mountains provide a peaceful and relaxing environment to eat lunch at one of the restaurants in town.

The inhabitants of Girón are mostly farmers and the economy is based on animal husbandry and agricultural production. In the area of La Asunción there is one community-run small business that raises guinea pigs for the famous dish called cuy, a delicacy in Ecuador.

In addition to Girón’s historical significance, the town is even more famous for the three waterfalls that begin 6km down the road. The waterfalls provide a variety of different hikes accommodating people with different fitness levels and varying time constraints.

Those who enjoy more temperate and mild walks ranging from easy to medium in difficulty level will like the 2-hour trail leading from the town itself to the base of the first waterfall. The path winds through lush vegetation and flowers under a cloud forest canopy and to the base of the 60m high Chorro de Girón, a breathtaking waterfall lined with moss and bromeliads.

Many travelers end their excursion here, but those with an adventurous spirit can hire a guide at the first waterfall to accompany them up to the other two. The subsequent two waterfalls each take about 45 minutes to hike, or longer depending on the state of the trails. Keep in mind the paths can get fairly strenuous and may require using upper arm strength to help pull yourself up at places, or sitting down and sliding through small steep sections on the way back down.

Those who prefer a quicker trip and just want to see the waterfalls can catch one of the pickup taxis in town which charge around $6 for the 20-minute ride. Regardless of how travelers arrive, the trip is well worth it to see spectacular Chorro de Girón.

In Cuenca there are many tour guides offering daytrips to the waterfalls. Trips usually include private transportation, a guide up the waterfalls, and a snack for under $40 per person. Alternately, Transportes Girón buses leave Cuenca from Terminal Sur and cost $1 for the hour-long trip.

Weather

Girón has a milder climate than nearby Cuenca and the weather is considered to be fairly ideal and spring-like year round. The town is in the beautiful Yunguilla Valley known for its temperate climate and fertile surroundings. The seasons are, for the most part, divided in two: winter and summer. Winter is January through May, and summer is June to December. In the rainy season, October through early May, it’s recommended that hikers bring a light raincoat for the afternoons when a drizzle or a sudden, but brief, shower is common.

Exploring the rest of Yunguilla Valley can be especially rewarding, as opportunities for horseback riding, bird watching, and more hiking are abundant. From Girón, trucks can take passengers up the winding road to the hamlets of San Fernando and Chumblín. From there, friendly locals act as guides to accompany tourists to three lakes with excellent trout fishing high in the páramo. There is also rock climbing and camping on San Pablo, overlooking the small Lago Busa. Cyclists can also find thrilling roads with light traffic and incredible vistas through Asunción.