Cotopaxi · Hiking

Vía Normal

A 2.0-mile point-to-point route in Cotopaxi, Ecuador.

2.0 mi
one way: 3,729 ft
climb: 18,833 ft
high point: Point to point
route

Vía Normal is a 2.0-mile point-to-point route in Cotopaxi, Ecuador, inside Parque Nacional Cotopaxi. It runs between about 15,190 ft and 18,830 ft above sea level, with roughly 3,730 ft of climbing one way. It is a mountain path with steeper and uneven sections, so wear proper hiking shoes. Most of the way is gravel. It is mapped as a named hiking route, with the sections joined into one trail here. The nearest town is Boliche, about 12 miles east of the trailhead. Peaks within about 3 miles include Cotopaxi. For camping, La Rinconada is within about 6 miles. Distances, elevations and the route shape here come from OpenStreetMap and the Copernicus 90 m elevation model. Trails, access rules and conditions change, so check locally before you go.

NearbySendero Cumbre Rucu Pichincha · Ruta Al Rumiñahui Central · Entrada Bosque De Pino Sincholagua

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Photo: David Ceballos from Quito, España, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sendero Cumbre Rucu Pichincha

~60 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 2.4 miles each way (4.8 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.

Ruta Al Rumiñahui Central

~7 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 2.9 miles each way (5.7 miles round trip) in Cotopaxi, Ecuador.

Entrada Bosque De Pino Sincholagua

~14 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.7 miles each way (1.4 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.

Vía Normal (F)

~33 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.9 miles each way (1.9 miles round trip) in Cotopaxi, Ecuador.

Camino a La Cruz Del Ilaló

~44 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 2.9 miles each way (5.8 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.

Ruta Al Rumiñahui Norte

~11 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.8 miles each way (1.6 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.

Ruta Sincholagua

~16 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 2.5 miles each way (4.9 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.

Paso Entre Picos

~23 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.3 miles each way (0.7 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.

Ruta Paso De La Muerte

~60 min drive

An out-and-back trail, 0.5 miles each way (1.1 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.

Sendero Del Oso

~48 min drive

A 3.5-mile point-to-point route in Tungurahua, Ecuador.

Also worth it near here

Photo: camilogaleano.com, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cotopaxi

~3 min drive

Cascada Río Pita

~10 min drive

Photo: M Blissett, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Secret Garden Cotopaxi

~19 min drive

Photo: camilogaleano.com, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Antisana: Route from the road end

~31 min drive

Conditions and forecast

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at Vía Normal for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.