Best Hiking Trails in Ecuador — Volcanoes, Cloud Forests, Crater Lakes, and Ancient Inca Paths

Ecuador is one of the most geographically absurd countries on the planet. Within a space roughly the size of Colorado, you have 5,000-meter snow-capped volcanoes, Amazon rainforest, Pacific beaches, cloud forests dripping with orchids, and highland páramo that looks like the Scottish moors. And you can hike in all of it.

The trail infrastructure isn't always polished — you won't find groomed paths with distance markers and emergency call boxes like in a US national park. What you will find is staggering diversity, jaw-dropping scenery, and the ability to hike above the clouds on a volcano in the morning and eat ceviche at the beach by evening. Here's where to go.

Cajas National Park — The Highland Gem Near Cuenca

Location: 30 km west of Cuenca, Azuay province Elevation: 3,100–4,450 meters (10,200–14,600 feet) Difficulty: Easy to moderate (depends on trail) Entrance fee: Free for residents/cédula holders, $4 for foreign tourists Getting there: $15–20 taxi from Cuenca center (30 minutes), or take a Guayaquil-bound bus from Terminal Terrestre and ask to be dropped at the Toreadora entrance

Cajas is the hike most Cuenca expats do first, and the one they keep going back to. The park covers 29,000 hectares of high-altitude páramo — rolling grasslands dotted with over 230 glacial lakes, eerie polylepis forests (trees that look like they belong in a Tim Burton film), and condors circling overhead.

Best Trails in Cajas

Toreadora Lake Loop (Ruta 1): The introductory hike. 3.8 km loop around Laguna Toreadora starting from the main ranger station. Well-marked with wooden stakes. Takes 1.5–2 hours. You walk through polylepis forest and páramo grassland with lake views the entire way. Easy terrain but remember — you're at 3,900 meters. Walk slowly. Bring a jacket; weather changes in minutes.

Llaviuco Lake (Laguna Llaviuco): The park's lower entrance at 3,100 meters. A gentle, mostly flat walk around a cloud-forest lake. Easier on the lungs than Toreadora, and the birding is excellent — you might spot a torrent duck or an Andean guan. Good for families and people still acclimatizing. About 1–1.5 hours.

Tres Cruces to Toreadora (Ruta 2): A longer, more challenging route across open páramo. About 8 km one-way, 4–5 hours. You cross between lakes, climb ridges, and get completely alone in the landscape. Navigation can be tricky in fog (which rolls in fast and often). This one requires a GPS app or a guide.

Multi-day routes: Cajas has through-routes that descend all the way to the coast, following pre-Inca trading paths. These are 2–3 day adventures requiring camping gear, a guide, and self-sufficiency. Contact Expediciones Apullacta in Cuenca (Calle Gran Colombia 11-02, tel: 07-283-7815) for organized treks.

What to bring: Rain gear (non-negotiable — it rains almost daily), layers (temperatures swing from 15°C in sunshine to near freezing in fog), sunscreen (UV at this altitude is extreme — you will burn in 20 minutes), water, snacks, and a charged phone with Maps.me or AllTrails downloaded for offline use.

The critical warning: Weather in Cajas changes in minutes. You can start in sunshine and be in a whiteout fog 30 minutes later. People have gotten lost and died in Cajas — don't go off marked trails alone, tell someone your plans, and turn back if fog rolls in and you can't see trail markers.

Cotopaxi — The Iconic Volcano

Location: 50 km south of Quito, Cotopaxi province Summit elevation: 5,897 meters (19,347 feet) Difficulty: Refuge hike is moderate; summit is advanced mountaineering Entrance fee: $5 for foreign tourists Getting there: Organized tours from Quito ($50–80 day trip to refuge), or drive to the parking lot at 4,500 meters

Cotopaxi is the postcard volcano — a near-perfect snow-capped cone visible from Quito on clear days. It's also an active volcano (it erupted in 2015), which adds a certain edge to the experience.

Two Very Different Hikes

To the José Rivas Refuge (4,800m): This is what most visitors do. You drive (or get driven) to the parking lot at about 4,500 meters, then hike 45 minutes to an hour up a sandy, steep trail to the refuge at 4,800 meters. It's only about 1.5 km, but at this altitude every step is work. The reward is standing at the base of the glacier looking up at the summit. The refuge has basic food and drinks — hot chocolate has never tasted better than it does at 4,800 meters.

No guide required for the refuge hike, but you need to register at the park entrance. The trail is obvious — straight up the scree slope. The danger is altitude sickness, not getting lost. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or get a severe headache, turn around immediately. This is not a place to push through.

Summit climb (5,897m): This is serious mountaineering. You need crampons, an ice axe, ropes, a helmet, and a certified guide. The climb starts from the refuge at midnight (to hit the summit before the sun softens the glacier and increases crevasse risk), takes 6–8 hours up, and 2–3 hours down. You need to be in excellent cardiovascular condition and fully acclimatized to altitude — spending at least 2 weeks at 2,500m+ before attempting it.

Guide companies for summit attempts:

• Sierra Nevada Expeditions (Quito) — one of the most experienced, $200–250 per person with gear rental
• Andean Face (Quito, office on Juan León Mera) — $180–220 per person
• Cotopaxi Cara Sur — smaller operation, experienced guides, $150–200

Acclimatization strategy: Don't arrive in Quito and attempt Cotopaxi the next day. Spend at least a week at altitude first. Do Pasochoa or Rucu Pichincha as warmup hikes. Many summit operators require you to do an acclimatization hike with them first.

Quilotoa Loop — The Classic Multi-Day Trek

Location: Cotopaxi province, central highlands Elevation: 3,200–3,900 meters Difficulty: Moderate (fitness required for the distance, not technical) Duration: 3 days / 2 nights (classic loop), or 1 day to just visit the lake Cost: $20–30/night in village hostels, $2–4 meals, free to hike

The Quilotoa Loop is Ecuador's most famous multi-day trek, and it earns it. You walk through indigenous Kichwa communities, past patchwork agricultural fields, along dramatic canyon ridges, and arrive at the Quilotoa crater lake — a vivid turquoise-green lake filling a collapsed volcanic caldera.

The Route

The classic 3-day loop connects four villages: Sigchos → Isinliví → Chugchilán → Quilotoa. You can walk it in either direction, but most people go this way because it saves the lake reveal for the final day.

Day 1: Sigchos to Isinliví (12 km, 4–5 hours). A relatively gentle introduction. You drop into the Toachi canyon and climb back up to the village of Isinliví. The trail passes through farmland and small communities. Stay at Llullu Llama hostel in Isinliví — it's a backpacker institution with good food, hot showers, and a fireplace. About $15–25 for a dorm bed with dinner and breakfast.

Day 2: Isinliví to Chugchilán (12 km, 5–6 hours). The hardest day. A steep descent into a river valley and a steep climb out. The scenery is stunning — you're walking along knife-edge ridges with canyon drops on both sides. Chugchilán has several hostels; Cloud Forest Hostel and Hostal Mama Hilda are reliable. Same price range.

Day 3: Chugchilán to Quilotoa (12 km, 5–6 hours). The final push, with a steep climb to the crater rim. When you crest the ridge and see the lake for the first time, you understand why people do this. The lake is 3 km wide and an impossible shade of green-blue. You can descend to the water (30 minutes down, 45 minutes back up — steep and sandy). Canoe rides on the lake cost $3.

Getting there: Buses run from Quito's Terminal Quitumbe to Latacunga ($2, 2 hours), then Latacunga to Sigchos ($2.50, 2.5 hours). From Quilotoa, buses return to Latacunga. Or take a tourist shuttle — several Quito hostels offer them for $10–15 each way.

Self-guided or guided? The loop is well-established enough to do independently. Trails are marked (though not always clearly), and locals will point you the right way. A guide isn't necessary but can be nice for the cultural context. Local guides in Sigchos or Chugchilán charge $30–50 per day.

Bring: Warm layers, rain gear, broken-in hiking boots, headlamp, water purification (the village water isn't always reliable), sunscreen, cash (no ATMs in these villages), and snacks for between villages.

Rucu Pichincha — The Volcano You Can Hike from Quito

Location: Western rim of Quito Summit elevation: 4,696 meters (15,407 feet) Difficulty: Moderate to challenging Duration: 3–4 hours round trip from the teleférico Cost: Teleférico ticket $8.50, no other fees

This is the most accessible serious altitude hike in Ecuador. You ride the TelefériQo (Quito's gondola system) from 2,950 meters to 4,050 meters in about 15 minutes. From the upper station, a trail leads to the summit of Rucu Pichincha at 4,696 meters.

The hike: The first section (4,050m to Cruz Loma lookout at 4,100m) is a paved path with amazing Quito views — tourists and families do this part. Beyond Cruz Loma, the trail turns to dirt and gets progressively steeper and more rugged. The final push to the summit involves some mild scrambling over volcanic rock. The views from the top are extraordinary — Quito sprawled below, Cotopaxi in the distance, the Western Cordillera stretching north and south.

Timing: Go early. Start the teleférico at 8:00–9:00 AM (it opens at 8:00 on weekdays, 8:00 on weekends). Afternoon clouds typically roll in by 1:00 PM, obscuring views and bringing rain. You want to be on the summit by 11:00 AM.

Safety: This hike has had mugging incidents in the past, primarily between the teleférico station and Cruz Loma. The situation has improved with increased police patrols, but going in a group is still recommended. Don't bring valuables you don't need. Beyond Cruz Loma toward the summit, the risk is weather and altitude, not crime.

Altitude warning: You're going from 4,050m to 4,696m with no gradual transition. If you haven't been at altitude for at least a week, this will be brutal. Headaches, nausea, and extreme breathlessness are common for unacclimatized hikers. Don't be a hero — turn back if you feel bad.

Pasochoa Volcano — The Acclimatization Hike

Location: 30 km southeast of Quito Summit elevation: 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) Difficulty: Easy to moderate Duration: 3–4 hours round trip Entrance fee: $2 Getting there: $20–25 taxi from Quito, or drive to Refugio de Vida Silvestre Pasochoa

Pasochoa is the hike most Quito-based guides recommend as your first altitude hike. It's a dormant volcano with an extinct caldera now filled with native forest. The trail climbs through Andean cloud forest to the crater rim with views of Cotopaxi, Antisana, and the Quito valley.

It's a perfect test of your altitude fitness before attempting anything higher. If Pasochoa feels easy, you're ready for Rucu Pichincha or Cotopaxi refuge. If it floors you, you need more acclimatization time.

El Altar — The Climbers' Pilgrimage

Location: Near Riobamba, Chimborazo province Elevation: 3,400–4,500 meters at Laguna Amarilla; peaks to 5,319 meters Difficulty: Challenging (trek to lake), extreme (peaks) Duration: 2–3 days for the lake trek Getting there: Bus from Riobamba to Candelaria village ($2, 1.5 hours), then hike in

El Altar (Kapak Urku in Kichwa) is a collapsed volcanic caldera with nine peaks surrounding a glacial lake — Laguna Amarilla. It's arguably the most dramatic mountain scenery in Ecuador, and it sees a fraction of the visitors that Cotopaxi gets.

The trek to Laguna Amarilla: From the village of Candelaria, it's a 7–8 hour hike through farmland, cloud forest, and páramo to a basic campsite near the lake. You can also stay at the Hacienda Releche along the way (basic accommodation, meals available, $10–15). Day 2 is the push to the lake — another 2–3 hours from camp. The lake sits in the caldera surrounded by ice-capped walls. It's spectacular and haunting.

You need a guide for this one. The trail is not well-marked, weather is unpredictable, and the terrain is remote. Julio Verne Expediciones in Riobamba and Andean Adventures organize trips. Budget $100–150 per person for a 2-day guided trek with meals.

Podocarpus National Park — Cloud Forest Biodiversity

Location: Near Loja and Zamora, southern Ecuador Elevation: 900–3,600 meters (multiple zones) Difficulty: Easy to moderate Entrance fee: $4 for foreign tourists

Podocarpus is one of Ecuador's most biodiverse parks, sitting on the boundary between the Andes and the Amazon. The park has two entrances with very different ecosystems:

Cajanuma entrance (near Loja, highland side): Cloud forest trails through dripping moss, orchids, and bromeliads. The Sendero al Mirador (4 km, 2–3 hours) climbs to a viewpoint overlooking both sides of the continental divide on clear days. The Lagunas del Compadre trail is a 2-day trek to a series of glacial lakes at 3,200 meters — guide recommended.

Bombuscaro entrance (near Zamora, lowland side): Tropical forest at 900 meters. Easy, flat trails along rivers. Excellent birding — this is one of the best places in Ecuador to see cock-of-the-rock (gallito de la peña) at dawn. There's a dedicated viewing spot where these bright orange birds perform their mating dance.

Mindo Cloud Forest — Easy Trails, Big Nature

Location: 2 hours northwest of Quito Elevation: 1,200–1,600 meters Difficulty: Easy Getting there: Bus from Quito's Terminal Ofelia ($3.50, 2 hours), or drive

Mindo isn't serious hiking — it's nature immersion with minimal effort. The town sits in a cloud forest valley and has built an eco-tourism economy around birding, waterfalls, chocolate tours, and zip lines.

Waterfall trail (Santuario de Cascadas): Take the tarabita (cable car) across the valley ($5 round trip), then walk a trail past seven waterfalls. The full circuit is about 5 km and takes 2–3 hours. Easy terrain, some stream crossings.

Birding: Mindo has over 500 bird species in the surrounding area. The early-morning hike at Refugio Paz de las Aves ($30 entrance, starts at 5:45 AM) is where you see the Andean cock-of-the-rock, toucan barbets, and antpittas. Bring binoculars or rent them at the lodge.

Make a weekend of it: Stay at Las Terrazas de Dana ($50–80/night), Séptimo Paraíso ($45–70/night), or a cheaper hostel in town ($15–25). Do the waterfall trail Saturday, birding Sunday morning, and a chocolate tour in between (El Quetzal chocolate factory, $10 tour with tasting).

Ingapirca to Cajas — The Inca Trail Nobody Knows About

Location: Cañar province to Azuay province Duration: 3 days / 2 nights Difficulty: Moderate to challenging Elevation: 3,100–4,300 meters

Everyone knows about Peru's Inca Trail. Almost nobody knows that Ecuador has its own section of the Qhapaq Ñan (the great Inca road network), and you can walk a 40-km stretch of it from the Ingapirca ruins to Cajas National Park.

The trail follows an actual pre-Columbian stone road through highland páramo, past glacial lakes, and through indigenous communities. It's remote, beautiful, and you'll likely have it to yourself.

You absolutely need a guide for this. The trail is not marked, weather above 4,000 meters is unpredictable, and there's no infrastructure. Expediciones Apullacta in Cuenca is the main operator — expect $200–300 per person for a 3-day guided trek including meals, camping equipment, and transportation.

Essential Hiking Safety for Ecuador

Altitude is the number one risk. Most hiking trails in the highlands are between 3,000 and 5,000 meters. Altitude sickness can strike anyone, regardless of fitness. Acclimatize for at least one week at 2,500m+ before hiking above 4,000 meters. Know the symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion. Descend immediately if symptoms worsen.

Weather changes in minutes. Especially above 3,500 meters. You can start in sunshine and be in freezing rain or dense fog within 30 minutes. Always bring:

• Waterproof jacket (not water-resistant — waterPROOF)
• Warm layers (fleece or down)
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen SPF 50, sunglasses)
• At least 1.5 liters of water per person

Tell someone your route. Leave your itinerary with your hostel, landlord, or a friend. Cell service is nonexistent on most highland trails.

Hire guides for anything technical or remote. Solo hiking well-marked trails in Cajas or Mindo is fine. Solo hiking to El Altar or attempting any summit is reckless. Guides cost $30–80 per day — cheap insurance for your life.

Dogs on trails. Rural Ecuador has semi-feral dogs that guard farms along hiking routes. They bark aggressively. Walk calmly, don't run, don't stare them down. Picking up a rock (or pretending to) usually makes them back off. This sounds silly until you're facing three snarling dogs on a narrow path at 4,000 meters.

Recommended Tour Companies

Cuenca-based:

• Expediciones Apullacta — the gold standard for Cajas, Ingapirca trail, and southern highland treks. Calle Gran Colombia 11-02.
• Terra Diversa — good for day trips to Cajas and multi-day treks. Calle Hermano Miguel 5-42.
• Southland Touring — handles everything from Cajas to Galápagos. Calle Borrero 9-69.

Quito-based:

• Sierra Nevada Expeditions — Cotopaxi specialists, mountaineering focus
• Andean Face — volcano climbing, Quilotoa support
• Gulliver Expeditions — broad range of highland and Amazon treks, good English-speaking guides. Calle Juan León Mera N24-156.
• Happy Gringo — not the cheapest but reliable logistics for Quilotoa and multi-day treks

Riobamba-based (for El Altar and Chimborazo):

• Julio Verne Expediciones — the go-to local operator
• Andean Adventures Riobamba — smaller but experienced

One final piece of advice: start small. Do Cajas or Pasochoa in your first few weeks. See how your body handles altitude and effort. Build up to the bigger objectives. Ecuador's mountains aren't going anywhere, and they don't reward impatience.