Ecuador's best hikes: 6 treks worth the sweat
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Loading... - Scarlett Lawrence
- 16 Dec 2021
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For trekkers and serious climbers alike, the high sierra is packed with paths that climb their way up to high altitude. Others wend across lower elevations, through and around alpine scenery. There are trails for all levels of fitness, and while hiking and climbing are possible throughout much of the year the most popular seasons are November to February and June to August. Book with a guide if you want to climb higher, trek solo or travel off season.
Situated on the Equator where adjacent tectonic plates have forced the ground upward, Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes is, quite rightly, one of its top draws and best places for trekking in the high country. The route from Quito to Cuenca passes through breathtaking scenery, where snow-tipped, perfectly conical or rugged mountains punctuate the sky.
The Central Highlands are dotted with pueblos that are rich in indigenous Andean heritage, and hiking is also a perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture here. Walking at altitude brings you to water-filled calderas surrounded by grasses and flowers, where guides can help you descend further into canyons, or upward to secluded lodges and eco-retreats that often sit above the cloud line, offering a condor’s eye view of the valleys below.
Here are our picks for the six best hikes in Ecuador.
Cotopaxi National Park
Best hike for nature and wildlife
2.2 miles (3.5km); 2 hours; easy
The second-highest peak in Ecuador (19,347ft) and one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, Volcán Cotopaxi offers a serious guided climb for those with the motivation to walk for two days to see the views from the summit. For others who prefer to stay closer to the base, the 83,000-acre Parque Nacional Cotopaxi’s trails provide a benign and grass-filled natural sanctuary, with the volcano’s peak as stunning backdrop and central focal point.
Walk around Lake Limpiopungo if you only have a couple of hours to spare – it’s flat, and the gentle terrain will suit all fitness levels. There’s nature in abundance here, from white-tailed deer to Andean fox (or colpeo) roaming the grasslands. The keen-eyed traveler may see soaring condors or even the rare spectacled bear on the volcano’s eastern slopes.
Try horseback riding and stay at one of the park’s traditional haciendas, taking a guided trek to find out more about the flora, fauna and geology of this most beautiful of national parks, arguably Ecuador’s best.
Chimborazo
Best high-altitude hike
23.9 miles (38.4km); 2–3 days; difficult
Heading south to Riobamba, there’s no escaping the shadow of Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak and a staggeringly monumental structure. Allow time in the area to take the Devil’s Nose, a marvelous feat of railway engineering that sees the track follow a series of switchbacks as the train stealthily cuts its way down and through the Andes. Passing villages en route, you’ll also be greeted with a brilliant view of Chimborazo from the windows early on.
If you’ve become acclimatized from recent ascents in Ecuador, you may want to add an ascent of Chimborazo to your itinerary. At around 20,700ft, the equatorial summit of the peak is the closest point to the sun on Earth, and is covered in glacial ice that requires you to hire a certified guide, donning crampons and other serious kit. Be prepared for an evening at a high-altitude refugio before the final ascent at night. Preparation and a high level of fitness are absolutely vital for the climb.
For day-trekkers and mountain bikers, the Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo is a natural habitat for vicuña, llama and alpaca, with any number of shorter trails out of the park. From Riobamba, take in nearby views of Altar and Tungurahua volcanoes, Parque Nacional Sangay or Colta Lagoon, the latter of which has some of the loveliest reflections of Chimborazo for those keen on photography or quiet contemplation during a gentle stroll.
The Quilotoa Loop
Best hike for highland culture
25 miles (40km); 3–5 days; moderate
One of Ecuador’s most beautiful locations, the scenic Quilotoa crater can be trekked to, through or around, according to your energy levels or available time. Stay overnight at one of the area’s eco-lodges, then enjoy a leisurely ramble to the lookout points or a more strenuous hike down to the lakeshore the next day. However you get there, the crater rim is probably best selfie spot in all of Ecuador, as teal and emerald water, rugged rock and atmospheric low clouds compete for attention in the background.
The longer Quilotoa Loop takes up to five days and allows for a real dive into local villages and highland culture, where you can pick up phrases in the local Kichwa language as you pass by villages and rainforest vegetation. A number of markets occur on the loop, from Zumbahua on Saturday to Saquisilí on Thursday. Indigenous markets are one of the highlights of any visit to the Ecuadorian Andes, so be sure to plan your itinerary around them.
Everything is accessible with local transport; it’s definitely worth spending a few days in the region to explore on foot. Tour operators in Quito can take the pain out of organizing every step of your own schedule. Read More…
