Cotopaxi · Hiking

Vía Normal (F)

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

0.9 mi
round trip
1,870 ft
climb
17,022 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Vía Normal (F) is an out-and-back trail, 0.9 miles each way (1.9 miles round trip) in Cotopaxi, Ecuador, inside Reserva Ecológica Los Ilinizas. It runs between about 15,570 ft and 17,020 ft above sea level, with roughly 1,660 ft of climbing one way. It is difficult alpine terrain with exposed scrambling, for experienced mountaineers only. The nearest town is Chaupi, about 6.1 miles southwest of the trailhead. Peaks within about 3 miles include Illiniza Sur and Illiniza Norte. Cascada Cunuyacu is within about 3 miles. For camping, Wim Hosteria y Camping is within about 6 miles. There are 2 other mapped trails within about 3 miles, so you can combine or extend the outing. 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.

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Sendero Cumbre Rucu PichinchaPhoto: David Ceballos from Quito, España, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Vuelta a La Laguna

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A 1.8-mile loop in Cotopaxi, Ecuador.

Conditions and forecast

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

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors