Hiking in Ecuador Guide • The 15 Best Hikes in Ecuador

Want to go hiking in Ecuador? You’ll never be too far from a hiking trail, but when there are so many, and each is more beautiful than the last, how are you supposed to choose? Luckily, we’ve selected some of the best for you, so you don’t have to.

Whether you’re looking for a quick morning tour around a crater lake or a multi-day trek through mountain ranges, this list of the best hikes in Ecuador has you covered. With diverse landscapes and a welcoming culture, it’s impossible not to fall in love with Ecuador. 

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Hiking in Ecuador? Here are the 15 Best Hikes in Ecuador!

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Rucu Pichincha

We’re starting the list off strong with a hike up a volcano. Rucu Pichincha is a volcano near Quito, the nation’s capital. It’s very easy to reach if you are staying in town. There’s even a cable car to take you to the beginning of the trail to maximize your hiking time. Surprisingly, many tourists don’t frequent this hike, so it’ll be a relaxing trek free of crowds.

The cable car drops you at 3945 meters, and it’s an additional 755m to the top. This part of the hike takes around four hours, leading you through grassland and rocky patches. You’ll need to get used to the altitude, but once you’re at the top, the views of Quito are unreal.

• Location: Just outside Quito
• Insider Tip: Watch out for the sacred Incan bird, the Curiquingue.

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Lake Cuicocha

If you’re hiking in Ecuador, you must check out Lake Cuicocha. Only an hour or so away from the town of Otavalo is a beautiful crater lake that makes for a perfect day hike. It’s a four-hour trip around the lake, and there’s plenty to look at, so you won’t be bored.

From the two islands nestled in the middle of the lake (supposedly shaped like guinea pigs) to the region’s rich diversity of flora and fauna (keep your eyes peeled for beautiful exotic butterflies), you’ll be glad you carved out some time for this beautiful hike. Though it’s not a long Ecuadorian hike, start early to wrap up before the sun gets too hot. Because this lake is quite high, be sure to have enough water, snacks, and a rain jacket in case of a sudden drizzle.

• Location: Otavalo
• Insider Tip: Don’t miss the massive weekly market for which Otalavo is famous.

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The Inca Trail

For those unaware, the Inca Trail marks an ancient path connecting Quito to Cusco, Peru. This particular leg of the route follows the Inca Road to Ingapirca, which takes around three days to complete. The trail has a lot of altitude difference —4200m at its highest—and starts from Achupallas.

As the name suggests, it finishes at Ingapirca, the site of some 1000-year-old Incan ruins. In addition to the legendary ruins, you’ll pass stunning lagoons, and the ancient but impressive water system ruins from Incan times.

• Location: Alausi, Chimborazo Province
• Insider Tip: This is another route where you’ll want to acclimatize to the altitude before setting out. 

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Papallacta

This is a small village in the province of Napo, northern Ecuador. It sits at an impressive altitude of 3300 meters—a city in the clouds! The region is well known for volcanic hot springs, and the wealth of wild mammal life makes this a unique place to hike in Ecuador. Watch out for possums, weasels, and the rare pampas cat.

Back in the city, there are quaint hostels, cozy restaurants, and the well-known Termas Thermal Resort, a hot springs spa perfect for relaxation after trekking. Boiled trout caught fresh is a common local dish that’s a must when you’re in the area.

• Location: Napo Province
• Insider Tip: If you partake in the resort pools, the water will be freshest in the morning. 

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Yasuní National Park

Yasuní National Park is tricky to reach, but it can be a rewarding place to travel. You’ll need to fly from Quito to Coca, the nearest city to the park, and then a boat to the specific area you want to hike. Given that the Amazon is one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet, it will be worth the journey.

Tourism here is well-managed, so tour groups and guides are available to ensure your safety and the park’s preservation. You’ll see animals you’ve probably only seen on a screen, like toucans, parrots, spider monkeys, and anacondas. 

• Location: Coca, Ecuador
• Insider Tip: Most hiking routes are pretty digestible, only around two hours, so it’s worth staying a few days and doing several.

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Casa de Arbol

This gorgeous hike is situated on the outskirts of a jungle near the town of Bãnos. While the surrounding valley has several hikes to choose from, the Casa de Arbol is a four to five-hour climb up to a well-known treehouse (how cool is that?), from which you’ll have some pretty awesome views of the town below. If you visit on a cloudless day, you’ll be able to see all the way to the Tungurahua volcano.

The trail starts right in the city. Just follow the signage. Entrance into the treehouse is $1, and there’s even a swing that soars out over an open valley (for that Instagram snapshot).

• Location: Bãnos, Tungurahua
• Insider Tip: This region is famous for its hot springs, which are a great way to relax after this uphill hike.

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The Condor Trek

This is a multi-day hike in Ecuador, where you will pass through beautiful rainforest terrain between each evening campsite. The hike ranges in elevation, some of it through lowlands and some as high as Santa Lucia Lake, which sits at a staggering 4,500 m. The scenery ranges from lush greenery to huge glaciers, giving you a wide range of landscapes to experience.

You’ll arrive in Papallacta, head to the village of El Tambo, and begin your trek. The route finishes with the Mica Lagoon before heading back into Quito.

• Location: East of Quito
• Insider Tip: If you hadn’t planned on an equipment-heavy expedition, many options for guide-led tours would include gear rental.

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Rumiñahui Volcano

This volcano often gets ignored in favor of its much larger neighbor, Cotopaxi. It’s a great option if you want something a little tamer or you need to acclimatize yourself before tackling Cotopaxi. The volcano is fully extinct, and thanks to a year-round absence of snow and relatively forgiving terrain, it actually is quite popular as an Ecuador hiking route.

Though not as famous as Cotopaxi, the views of this volcano from Rumiñahui are impressive. You’ll also get an incredible vantage point to see El Corazón, Los Ilinizas, and Sincholagua.

• Location: Cotopaxi Province
• Insider Tip: Don’t miss nearby Limpiopungo, a stunning lake ideally situated for 360° views.

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Sangay National Park

The largely unvisited Sangay National Park occupies a hefty territory in Ecuador. From extinct volcanoes to waterfalls and lush, sweeping valleys, this national park pretty much has it all. There are also glaciers and tropical rainforests, two landscapes you typically wouldn’t think exist in the same region, let alone the same country. 

There aren’t many human settlements here, so it’s a rich tapestry of wildlife—think pumas, foxes, bears, guinea pigs, jaguars, and more. There are a few peaks to climb and some volcanic craters. Do your research beforehand because the difficulty ranges wildly from one park area to another.

• Location: Morona Santiago, Chimborazo, and Tungurahua provinces
• Insider Tip: Skip Tungurahua for climbing, as the volcano has become quite active in recent years and is no longer considered sufficiently safe. Admire from a distance!

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Mandago Loop

The town of Vilcabamba is becoming a popular relocation spot for ex-pats, but fortunately, it hasn’t lost any of its charms. The Mandago Loop is the town’s most popular Ecuador hiking route, and it’s most challenging—so much so that we recommend undertaking this one with an experienced guide.

The way up is steep, rocky, and often dangerous drop-offs, so it’s not recommended for new hikers or those afraid of heights. Find the start of the path behind the town bus station it costs $1.50. The full loop is around four hours, and you’ll get beautiful views of the surrounding valleys.

• Location: Vilcabamba, Loja Province
• Insider Tip: Hikers occasionally get lost, so a compass & map is recommended for this hike.

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The Pululahua Crater

This is the crater of an extinct volcano—the largest on the continent! It’s four kilometers wide and 300 meters deep, and surprisingly, it’s full of extremely fertile soil, so it’s a haven for growing crops. It’s located in a geological reserve, thanks to a staggering diversity of plant and animal life unique to this region (particularly birds and insects). 

There are homes within the crater, which has its own kind of magic—a lush oasis with a small community tucked within. It’s so close to Quito, yet has very few visitors. Take an hour-long bus ride for less than $0.50 to get there; most paths are around five-hour loops.

• Location: One hour north of Quito
• Insider Tip: Rain clouds tend to roll in towards the late morning, so this is an Ecuador hike best done early in the day.

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Pinãn Trek

This is a challenging trail but worth the effort. Located north of Quito in the Cotacachi Cayapas reserve, the Pinãn Trek takes you up Churoloma Mountain, through the Andean forests, and down along the edges of the Yanacocha Lagoon. There is a little bit of everything on this hike.

The full hike in Ecuador is around four to five days, and guided tours are available. It’s recommended for at least an intermediate-level hiker due to the range in elevation and difficulty. But if you can swing it, the views you’ll get of glaciers, mountain ranges, and verdant valleys are worth it.

• Location: North of Quito
• Insider Tip: The route technically starts in Otavalo, but many guides will meet you in Quito.

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Cotopaxi Volcano

Calling all adventurers, this is a hike to the world’s highest active volcano. The Cotopaxi volcano is a couple of hours south of Quito, the capital city, and there are always transport options to get you there if you aren’t staying in the nearby countryside. 

The climb to the top, usually snowy, needs to be guided since it’s a whopping 5000m elevation, and symptoms like altitude sickness are common. Be sure to pack sunglasses and a hat because the sun reflecting off the snow can be blinding! Despite these minor inconveniences, if you visit on a clear day, you’ll have some pretty unreal views from the highest point.

• Location: Cotopaxi Province
• Insider Tip: Little to no ATMs in the surrounding areas outside of Quito, so make sure you’ve got the cash.

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Cajas National Park

This national park is a UNESCO heritage site, so you know it will be amazing. This isn’t so much a specific route as an enormous region covering some 280 square kilometers and trails that alternate between moderate and high altitude, just to give you options.

Natural wonders include ancient volcanic rock, cloud forests, and endless lakes. Even a section of the famous Inca Trail passes through the park. The most popular route is only eight km and winds past three of the most-visited lakes in the area.

• Location: Azuay Province
• Insider Tip: The park is huge, with lots to explore and a higher chance of getting lost. Either grab a guide or do research in advance.

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Quilotoa Loop

If you want to see some of the more rural parts of Ecuador and really immerse yourself in the culture, this is a great place to start. The Quilotoa Loop is more of a trek than a hike and spans around three days. There are guesthouses and homestays along the route, and food and water can be refilled.

This trek is the definition of roughing it, but will give you a new perspective on life in a South American country as you make your way quietly through the farming communities. Despite the length of the hike, it’s not an arduous journey. Aside from the odd climb here and there, it’s fairly level, and you still get incredible views of the valleys and mountains.

• Location: Cotopaxi
• Insider Tip: This isn’t a loop so you can start from either end—Quilotoa or Isinlivi.
• Insider Tip: Overnight accommodations are possible along this route.

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