Vía Normal
A 2.3-mile point-to-point route in Pichincha, Ecuador.
- 2.3 mi
- one way
- 4,300 ft
- climb
- 18,966 ft
- high point
- Point to point
- route
Vía Normal is a 2.3-mile point-to-point route in Pichincha, Ecuador, inside Parque Nacional Cayambe-Coca. It runs between about 15,070 ft and 18,970 ft above sea level, with roughly 4,300 ft of climbing one way. It is demanding alpine terrain with scrambling on exposed ground; it is for experienced, well-equipped hikers. It is mapped as a named hiking route, with the sections joined into one trail here. The nearest town is El Verde, about 5.9 miles northeast of the trailhead. Peaks within about 3 miles include Cayambe. 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
Ruta Sagrado Cuicocha
~52 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 0.5 miles each way (1.0 miles round trip) in Imbabura, Ecuador.
Sendero Cumbre Rucu Pichincha
~1h 8m drive
An out-and-back trail, 2.4 miles each way (4.8 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Ruta Saraurco
~4 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 12 miles each way (23 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
S
~17 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 1.3 miles each way (2.7 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Ruta Paso De La Muerte
~1h 8m drive
An out-and-back trail, 0.5 miles each way (1.1 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Ruta Del Conejo - Rabbit Trail
~24 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 1.6 miles each way (3.2 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Sendero Del Oso
~46 min drive
A 3.5-mile point-to-point route in Tungurahua, Ecuador.
Ruta Al Volcán Imbabura
~35 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 3.1 miles each way (6.1 miles round trip) in Imbabura, Ecuador.
Quitoloma
~27 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 1.0 miles each way (1.9 miles round trip) in Pichincha, Ecuador.
Ruta Sagrado Cuicocha
~53 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 1.6 miles each way (3.2 miles round trip) in Imbabura, Ecuador.
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.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors