Vuelta a La Laguna
A 1.8-mile loop in Cotopaxi, Ecuador.
- 1.8 mi
- loop
- 584 ft
- climb
- 12,744 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
Vuelta a La Laguna is a 1.8-mile loop in Cotopaxi, Ecuador, inside Parque Nacional Cotopaxi. It runs between about 12,640 ft and 12,740 ft above sea level, with roughly 580 ft of climbing over the route. It is a mountain path with steeper and uneven sections, so wear proper hiking shoes. The nearest town is Machachi, about 9.5 miles southeast of the trailhead. Peaks within about 3 miles include Rumiňahui central and Rumiñahui. For camping, La Rinconada 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.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: David Ceballos from Quito, España, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Sendero Cumbre Rucu Pichincha
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An out-and-back trail, 2.4 miles each way (4.8 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Ruta Al Rumiñahui Central
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Entrada Bosque De Pino Sincholagua
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An out-and-back trail, 0.7 miles each way (1.4 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Vía Normal (F)
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An out-and-back trail, 0.9 miles each way (1.9 miles round trip) in Cotopaxi, Ecuador.
Camino a La Cruz Del Ilaló
~39 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 2.9 miles each way (5.8 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Ruta Al Rumiñahui Norte
~5 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 0.8 miles each way (1.6 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Ruta Sincholagua
~15 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 2.5 miles each way (4.9 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Paso Entre Picos
~17 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
~54 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 0.5 miles each way (1.1 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Vía Normal
~7 min drive
A 2.0-mile point-to-point route in Cotopaxi, Ecuador.
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Conditions and forecast
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at Vuelta a La Laguna for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
