About 90 miles north of Quito, you can get a range of trail terrain that runs from coastal rain forest to Andean mountains. Hikes through the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve take you to tranquil crater lakes, bubbling hot springs and rushing waterfalls. The majestic Cotacachi Volcano is a major attraction, along with Cuicocha Lake and its islands of Isla Wolf and Isla Yerovi.
Take some low-impact hikes along the slopes of Mount Chimborazo, the tallest of seven peaks on Ecuador's famed Avenue of the Volcanoes. Set in a massive grassland, the reserve is known for wildlife like deer, wolves, llamas and vicuñas. A full-scale ascension up Mount Chimborazo is categorized as a class-four climb.
Just outside of Quito and overlooking the capital city, get dramatic views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes from the Pichincha Massif. Hop a cable car to the base of the volcano, with the two peaks of Wawa (old in Quichua tongue) Pichincha and Ruku (child in Quichua) Pichincha both offering accessible climbs for fantastic views over Quito.
The most-western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes, Quilotoa Caldera lies at the end of a winding mountain road connecting remote Andean towns. The most popular treks are to its rim and photo-friendly crater lake. Hikes along the multi-day Quilotoa Loop take you through untouched canyons and indigenous villages.
North of Quito, the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve is famous for its varied flora and fauna and impressive crater. Trails and recreational areas surround the mighty Pululahua Volcano, set atop the equatorial line on a stretch of land dubbed the Middle of the World.
You'll find inviting turquoise lakes near the largely indigenous town of Otavalo in Northern Ecuador. Hikes around Laguna Grande, Laguna Negra and Laguna Chiquita reward with panoramic views on the high plateau. A steep ascent of about two hours takes you to the top of the extinct volcano Fuya Fuya, while a shorter but equally popular climb is found at Cerro Tourichupa.
Nestled near Puerto López in the Manabí province, Machalilla National Park has trails for hiking in decidedly different settings. Enjoy diving, snorkeling and pre-Columbian archaeological sites along trails found on Isla de la Plata, while Los Frailes has a sublime beach and overlook at the end of a shrouded forest trail. You pass through lush tropical greenery to reach a cloud forest at Cerro San Sebastián.
Straddling the Continental Divide, rivers flow both west to Pacific waters and east to the Amazon River at El Cajas National Park. You'll be transported to the Scottish Highlands as you hike through wide glacial valleys, with an abundance of trails and lakes in the sprawling Andean park.
A 90-minute drive from Quito, Cotopaxi National Park is one of the most popular stops for hiking in the South American country. You'll encounter the snow-capped Cotopaxi Volcano, surrounded by untouched stretches of forest and pristine lakes. Inca ruins can be found near Santo Domingo Lake, while the dormant stratovolcano Rumiñahui is reflected in the waters of Lake Limpiopungo.
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