MID-LENGTH HIKES NEAR COTACACHI
This section provides descriptions and downloadable trail files of >2 - 4 hour hikes around Cotacachi.
Cotacachi - El Cercado Walk
This is a g00d hike for those who want a workout. It entails a steep 2.7 km/1.7 mile climb from 2,474 m/8,117 ft to 2869 m/9,412 feet). Most of the walk is on dirt roads and trails, with small portions on cobblestone roads. It offers gorgeous views of distant mountains and volcanoes, as well as a close look at rural life around Cotacachi. You will enjoy views of domestic animals and fields of chochos, corn and wheat.
The trail starts on the corner of 10 de Agosto and Esmeraldas (3 blocks downhill from the bus terminal) in Cotacachi. Turn left on Esmeraldas and walk to the T. Turn right, cross the stream and take the first left. Walk uphill and take the first right at the small, smelly water treatment plant. Stay on this road for 470 meters, cross a bridge. Note: there are a lot of dogs on this street, so be prepared to throw dog food or rocks at them. Turn left after the bridge and in 25 meters, go right. Follow the path for 450 meters then turn right again. Continue across a creek, up a small hill and turn left at the soccer field. Walk up the cobblestone road (there is a fenced condo development on the left). Just beyond the development, turn left into the eucalyptus forest. Go straight until it intersects with another dirt road. Turn right and walk uphill for 2 km. There will be a fenced in corn patch on your right, eucalyptus on the left. Continue uphill for another 730 meters. Turn right. This is the start of the downhill journey through agricultural fields to the end of the trail. Walk downhill for 100 m, turn left and traverse the mountain for 200 m, then down for 85 m, across the mountain for 150m, back downhill for 250 m, across for 100. The last kilometer is a gentle descent to the main cobblestone road. You can wait for a bus at the intersection or turn left and walk 450 m to the El Cercado bus stop. It's a 25 minute ride from the bus stop to Cotacachi. We recommend following THIS downloadable KML file on a phone app, as this trail has many twists and turns.
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Distance:
8.4 km / 5.2 miles
Time:
3.5 hours
Difficulty:
Intermediate. >2.5 km steep uphill climb
Logistics:
Starts 3 blocks below Cotacachi bus terminal. Can catch a taxi or bus at hike's end in El Cercado community
El Batan to Santa Barbara via ravine & eucalyptus forest
This 5.2 mile/ 8.4 km hike starts at Jahua Pacha, a gated community above Cotacachi. It can be reached by taxi (10 minutes) or bus (15 minutes). The first 2 km is uphill. After climbing for an hour, the hike becomes relatively easy. You can enjoy an easy walk through a shady eucalyptus forest and farmland with views of Cotacachi and Otavalo, as well as distant mountains. After crossing through a steep ravine, the hike is all downhill. The 2+ km downhill walk ends at a paved road with taxis that can take you to Cotacachi. You could hike this trail it in the opposite direction.
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Use our downloadable trail to navigate to the trailhead. Walk uphill to the corner of Jahua Pacha and turn left into the forest. From here, the trail entails a long, steep climb through a eucalyptus forest. At the top, turn left and continue walking on the road through the forest. It will transition to farmland in about 500 meters. When you intersect with a wide dirt road, turn left and walk downhill for 260 meters, then turn right. Turn right again (uphill) at the next junction, walk 150 meters, then turn left. This trail will take you through a ravine. At the next junction walk downhill for 2.4 km, turn left and walk to 70 meters to the paved road. You can wait for a taxi or continue walking an additional 3 km to Cotacachi. We recommend following THIS downloadable KML file on a phone app.
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Distance:
8.4 km / 5.2 miles
Time:
3.5 hours
Difficulty:
Intermediate. >2.0 km steep uphill climb
Logistics:
Catch a taxi (10 minute ride) to Jahua Pacha, a gated community above Cotacachi . At end in Santa Barbara community, can catch a taxi or walk 3 km back to Cotacachi.
Anrabi to Morales Chupa via San Isidro
This 5.8 mile/9.3 km hike starts in Anrabi, about 3 km SW of Cotacachi. It can be reached by taxi (10 minutes). This is an intermediate trek owing to a taxing 2.3 km climb and a scramble through a ravine in the first half of the walk.
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The trail starts in Anrabi community (outskirts of El Ejido). The first 2.1 km is a leisurely walk through farmlands and neighborhoods. After crossing a creek, the uphill begins. You will climb 2.3 km to a ravine which you will cross. The hike becomes easier at this point. You will walk downhill along the ravine, then you'll enjoy a picturesque walk through farmland which ends at Old Cuicocha Road. Cross the road and continue downhill to the point indicated on the KML file. Follow the trail to the right. You'll walk down a sandy wash which will turn into a dirt road. When you reach an intersecting road, turn right and walk 100 meters to the main road connecting Quiroga and Morochos community. This is the end of our trail. You can wait for a taxi or continue walking 2 km more to Quiroga where there are bus and taxi stands. We recommend following THIS downloadable KML file on a phone app.
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Distance:
9.3 km / 5.8 miles
Time:
3.5 hours
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Logistics:
10 minute taxi ride to trailhead in Anrabi, and 10 minute ride at trail's end to Cotacachi
Iluman to San Pablo
This 6 mile/9.7 km hike starts in Iluman, a community east of Cotacachi on the slopes of Imbabura Volcano. It can be reached by taxi (15 minutes). The hike takes place in the high farmlands of Imbabura Volcano. This is not a difficult trek, but it is not shaded. Bring plenty of sunscreen and water! The first kilometer is an uphill climb (not too steep) and the last 1.5 km descends to San Pablo. The majority of the trek traverses a portion of Imbabura Volcano. It involves moderate ups and downs throughout.
What I like about this hike is the radical changes in scenery. At the beginning, you will enjoy views of Cotacachi Volcano to the west. As you continue walking, you'll see Lake San Pablo directly below and the mountains around Zuleta to the south. On your left, are the Imbabura Volcano foothills, including the Corazon de Imbabura.
The trail starts at a shallow ravine. After crossing the ravine, climb a short slope, then walk through farmland for about 400 meters. Now it's time for some exercise: climb uphill for a kilometer, cross a small ravine and then traverse the slope through farmland for about 600 meters. At the wide dirt road, walk uphill for 400 meters and turn right. You will be on this road for 5 kilometers. It stays in an elevation band between 2,900 to 3,000 meters (9,500 ft). At the turnoff indicated on your KML file, turn right and walk downhill for about 1.5 km. You can catch a bus or taxi to Otavalo on Calle Eugenio Espejo or Calle Sucre. We recommend following THIS downloadable KML file on a phone app.
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Distance:
9.7 km / 6 miles
Time:
3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate. 292 m elevation gain
Logistics:
15 minute taxi ride to trailhead in Iluman, 20 minute bus/taxi to Otavalo terminal at trails' end
Cuicocha Central to Cotacachi-Intag Hwy
(via San Nicolas)
This 5.8 mile/9.3 km hike starts in Cuicocha Central, a community above Quiroga. The trailhead can be reached from Cotacachi by taxi in 10-15 minutes.
The hike is a steady uphill grind, not steep, but constant (400 meters in 8 km). It takes you through ravines, farmlands and rural communities. Most of the trek is on dirt roads. Like most of our hikes, you will be treated to awesome scenery. On a clear day, you'll see 4 volcanoes: Cotacachi, Imbabura, Fuya Fuya and the snow-covered slopes of Cayambe. Be prepared to deal with aggressive dogs around rural homes. Generally, they bark and act mean, but a few will bite. Rocks, hiking poles and dog food are the best forms of defense.
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The trail starts in the Cuicocha Central town square. Following the KML file on your phone app, walk downhill. At the bottom of the hill is a creek. Turn right on the trail after the creek and walk up the ravine. You will be following a stream for 500 meters. In the rainy season, this section is muddy!* After 500 meters, follow the trail going uphill to the left. It will lead to the main road, at which point you should turn right. Walk for 500 meters on the main road (it is paved), then turn right and walk up a short hill which will bend to the left in 170 meters. Follow this pleasant country road, always staying right at intersections for 5.7 km. When you reach San Nicolas, you'll see mud huts with grass roofs and a small school to your left. Staying to the right of the huts, continue walking on the main road. You'll reach the Via Intag highway (main paved road between Cotacachi and the Intag) in 1.6 km. At this point, you can flag down a taxi or wait for a bus to Cotacachi. It's a 15 minute ride.
We recommend following THIS downloadable KML file on a phone app.
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*Note: if this trail is too wet, you could continue on the road instead of turning right into the ravine. You will meet the place where you exit the ravine in 650 meters. Walk up to the intersection (400 m), turn right and continue on the main road for 750 meters. From here follow the directions for the main KML trail.​
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Distance:
9.3 km / 5.8 miles
Time:
3..5 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate. 400 m elevation gain from 2625 m to 3040 m over 8 km
Logistics:
10 minute taxi ride to trailhead in Cuicocha Central, 15 minute bus/taxi to Cotacachi at trail's end
Peguche - Parque Condor - Otavalo Loop
This 5 mile/ 8 km loop hike starts and ends at the bus terminal in Otavalo.
The first 1.2 miles/1.9 km passes through the outskirts of Otavalo to the Community of Peguche. This section is fairly level. At the 1.2 mile mark, turn right and enter the Peguche Fallsvpark. The next 0.7 mi/1.1 km meanders through the park and leads to Peguche Falls. This section is fairly level also. Just before the Falls, turn right (you'll be asked to pay 50 cents on weekends) and walk uphill for about 320 meters. There are numerous trails going in every which direction. You won't get lost if you follow my downloadable KML file. After 320 meters, you'll reach an open area with a dirt road. Turn left and stay on this road for 0.5 miles / 0.8 km to the 2.6 mile / 4.2 km mark, then turn right and walk uphill. Stay on this road for 0.6 mi/ 1 km, then turn right and walk up a steep uphill path to the cobblestone road. It you want to visit the Condor Park, turn right on the cobblestone road and walk 0.2 miles to the park. Otherwise, turn left and follow the road for 0.2 miles, then turn right and walk another 0.2 miles and take another right. After 0.1 miles, veer left onto a trail. The next 0.2 miles is very steep. This section is slippery when wet! The rest of the hike (0.25 mi) is an easy downhill into Otavalo. You'll exit the park on Los Chasquis 1 Road. Cross the road and walk down Jon Tio for a block. Walk diagonally across the field on your left side. You'll exit the field on Ave. Atahualpa. The bus terminal is just across the street.
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We recommend following THIS downloadable KML file on a phone app.​​​​
Distance:
8 km / 5 miles
Time:
2..5 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate. 328 m elevation gain from 2506 m to 2825 m
Logistics:
1Starts and ends at Otavalo bus terminal
