Rumiñahui – this is a full day hike in the Cotopaxi National Park. The hike goes from Lake Limpiopungo up to a páramo ridge and from there up to the central of the three peaks. The hike is challenging and gets steep close to the top. There are loose rocks and it is important to watch out for rocks that fall from above. From Quito, take a bus to Machachi. From there, it is possible to take a truck into the Cotopaxi National Park, which has an entrance fee of $10.

Cerro Mandango – in the far south of Ecuador, Cerro Mandango overlooks Vilcabamba. This is a half day hike from the village up the hill. You will head in the direction of two crosses, one part way up and the other at the top. The hike goes through a forested area and páramo landscape above. There are good views of the region from the summit. The tour takes about four hours and the Mandango trail makes for a great day hike.

Baeza to Communication Towers – there are a few nice hikes in the Baeza area close to the Amazon, but this is a good one for bird watching. It will take around four hours. The hike follows the road out of town up the hill toward the communication towers at the top. Baeza is around three hours from Quito by bus.

Ayampe to Puerto Lopez - for a full day coastal hike, hikers can head to Ayampe on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast. The hike takes around eight hours and there are good birdwatching opportunities along the way. From Quito, it takes around ten hours to get to Ayampe on a bus.

Cajas National Park - Located 45 minutes by car or bus from Cuenca, this park is a beautiful wilderness of valleys, lakes, high-land vistas and rock formations. The national park consists of 29,000 hectares of paramo. Paramos are high grassy highlands generally unfit for cultivation. The area is known for hiking and trout fishing. To visit the park, one needs to stop at the information building, which is located next to Totoras Lake. The entry fee is $10 and needs to be paid at the information building. The park offers several trails of interest and most of them are medium in terms of level of difficulty. In Cuenca, there are various tour operators that offer guided day tours El Cajas National Park and Reserve.

Other great hiking spots around Ecuador include:

Mindo – it is possible to hike from the town to the nearby waterfalls, a walk that will take around five hours. Hikers can bathe in the river at the waterfalls. This site is located very close to Quito and it is one of the most biodiverse areas in Ecuador.

Cotopaxi – the national park offers some excellent hiking opportunities. One such hike is from the parking lot up to the Jose Rivas refuge that is approximately 4800 meters above sea level. This is a short hike, but an intense one due to the altitude. Visitors come here to simply admire the scenery and to take pictures or to rest in order to reach the top of the Cotopaxi volcano.

Cuicocha – the hike around the Cuicocha crater lake takes anywhere from four to six hours, depending on levels of fitness. There are great views of the lake almost all the way around.

Pasochoa – in the Pasochoa reserve, it is possible to hike from the entrance up to the peak of the Pasochoa mountain. This is a trip that takes about eight hours there and back.

Mojanda – the Mojanda lakes offer opportunities for páramo hiking, in the bleak but beautifully remote countryside.

Pichincha – hikers can take a trip up Quito’s cable car, which is called the Teleferiqo, and from there up to Rucu Pichincha. Alternatively, take transportation to the Guagua Pichincha refuge and hike to that summit from there.

Papallacta – one day páramo hiking opportunities abound in the Papallacta area, and the best thing about this is that hikers can soothe their aching limbs in the thermal springs afterwards.

Longer worthwhile treks in Ecuador include:

Trek of the Condor – challenging to organize due to the permits required, the Trek of the Condor heads from El Tambo through Antisana and ends in the Cotopaxi National Park. Go with a guide and allow four days to complete the trek.

Inca Trail – Ecuador’s answer to the Inca Trail takes in remote river valleys, small peaks and rural communities before ending at Ingapirca, which is Ecuador’s most important Inca ruin.

One of the best resources for hiking and climbing in Ecuador is the book “Ecuador – Climbing and Hiking,” which is written by Mark Thurber and Rob Rackowieki.

What to bring

When hiking, travelers should always be sure to carry and wear sunscreen. It is important to be aware of altitude sickness.

Back to "Ecuador Trekking and Hiking, part 1"

Ecuador is a hiker’s paradise, due to all of the different types of climates and landscapes to experience. There are hikes of different durations, from half a day up to five or six days.

Additionally, the nation’s capital, Quito, offers a wide variety of hiking opportunities nearby. Dozens of volcanoes and mountains extend across the long “Avenue of the Volcanoes”. Some of the most popular day-hikes include Fuya Fuya, Pasochoa, and Rucu Pichincha. None of these require any technical skills.

Hikers in Ecuador should be aware that the weather can change rapidly. A bright sunny day can quickly turn into a cold, rainy one in the mountains. In Ecuador it is possible to experience four seasons in one day. Those who want to hike should be prepared for this. Waterproof gear is important. An abundance of water is also necessary. Hiking poles can be useful, especially for walking in the mountains. Don’t forget to bring enough food and snacks for the trip.

Ilaló – this is a four hour hike on the Ilalo hill near Quito. Ilaló used to be a volcano but it is now extinct. The site is accessed from Tumbaco, which is about 40 minutes by bus from Quito. The hike is done on a cobbled road, followed by a dirt track and then a footpath up the hill. After hiking up to the summit and over to the other side, the hike ends again in the Tumbaco area.

Pululahua – the verdant and dormant Pululahua crater is a pleasant place to hike for a few hours. Located just north of the equator. the hiker should take a bus in the direction of Mindo, past the equator monument. There is a turning off for the crater. Walk up the hill, and from the top of the hill it is possible to walk down into the crater. From here, the hiker can walk around, before hiking down the same way. The last eruption of this volcano was about 2400 years ago. Set at an elevation of 3356 m, this volcanic crater offers spectacular views of a patchwork of golden and green farms and forests.

Yanacocha – a half day hike can be taken at the Yanacocha reserve in the cloudforest. This hike follows a defined path through the reserve. It costs a few dollars to get into the reserve. The hike passes a couple of spots where you can watch hummingbirds zip past your head. There are a few dark tunnels on the way, so take a flashlight. The path ends at a water treatment facility, and hikers should return the same way. The easiest way to get there is a bus to Nono, and then take a taxi from there to the reserve entrance.

Fuya Fuya – this is a day hike south of Otavalo, in páramo countryside. Take transportation to Mojanda – a bus to Otavalo, and a taxi from there up to the Lagunas de Mojanda. From the Mojanda lakes it is possible to hike the steep hike up the Fuya Fuya mountain. The hiker is rewarded with great views from the top. This hike usually takes about four hours to get up and back. This straightforward climb provides spectacular views of the Lagunas de Mojanda, three pristine lakes located at the base of the mountain, and wide expanses of paramo grasslands. Fuya Fuya is a good mountain for climbers hoping to acclimatize for some of Ecuador’s higher peaks.

More about "Ecuador Trekking and Hiking"