Cotacachi is a region in Ecuador's Imbabura province, defined by its diverse terrain that supports a variety of outdoor activities. The landscape features volcanic formations, high-altitude páramo grasslands, and cloud forests, providing varied environments for exploration. Prominent natural features include the Cuicocha Lagoon, a volcanic crater lake, and the slopes of the Cotacachi Volcano, offering a range of elevations and ecosystems. This area is suitable for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, jogging, road cycling, and more.
34
Routes
4.8
(148)
Average rating
1189
People visited

4.9
(109)
640
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
58
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(4)
34
hikers
6.82km
01:57
140m
140m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
11
hikers
9.67km
02:56
310m
310m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
101
runners
12.2km
01:49
540m
530m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
65
runners
14.9km
02:04
670m
670m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

24
runners
8.19km
01:10
380m
380m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

24
runners
30.4km
04:17
1,300m
1,300m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(4)
63
riders
101km
05:40
1,980m
1,970m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

16
riders
58.8km
03:39
1,330m
1,330m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

6
riders
25.9km
01:25
370m
370m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5
riders
22.2km
01:13
350m
350m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.8
(5)
13
riders
30.6km
02:08
480m
480m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
14
riders
54.0km
03:46
820m
820m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
69.8km
05:55
1,670m
1,670m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

8
riders
39.6km
03:27
780m
780m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.5
(2)
10
riders
29.4km
01:58
360m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
18.5km
01:17
260m
260m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
68.5km
04:40
1,030m
1,030m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
62.2km
04:21
1,070m
1,070m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Cotacachi offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Mountain biking, Jogging, Road cycling, and Touring cycling. The region's diverse terrain, from volcanic landscapes to cloud forests, provides varied environments for exploration. There are 5 routes available across these sports, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on komoot.
Key natural attractions include the Cuicocha Lagoon, a volcanic crater lake with two islands, and the Cotacachi Volcano, which rises to 16,204 feet (4,939 meters). The Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve encompasses a wide range of ecosystems, from high-altitude páramo to tropical rainforests. Other features include the Peguche waterfall and the Mojanda Lakes.
Yes, Cotacachi features hiking trails suitable for various skill levels. Options range from moderate loops around the Cuicocha Lagoon to more challenging ascents on volcanic slopes. Detailed information on routes can be found in the Hiking in Cotacachi guide.
The terrain in Cotacachi is diverse, ranging from volcanic formations and high-altitude páramo grasslands to cloud forests and valleys. This variety supports different types of outdoor activities and offers varied landscapes for exploration. Hikers and cyclists can experience significant changes in elevation and scenery.
Mountain biking routes are available in Cotacachi, traversing diverse landscapes. These trails can lead through indigenous villages and offer descents from higher altitudes. For specific routes and details, consult the MTB Trails in Cotacachi guide.
Road cycling routes are present in Cotacachi, allowing cyclists to explore picturesque landscapes. These routes include paths through valleys and along the slopes of Volcán Imbabura. The Road Cycling Routes in Cotacachi guide provides further information.
The Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve is a protected area encompassing a vast array of ecosystems. It ranges from tropical rainforests at lower elevations to towering volcanic peaks and high-altitude páramo grasslands. This reserve is a biodiversity hotspot, home to numerous species of flora and fauna.
Cotacachi is a popular destination for outdoor activities on komoot, with more than 1,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The available routes have an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users exploring the region.
Komoot offers several guides for Cotacachi, covering various sports. These include Hiking in Cotacachi, MTB Trails in Cotacachi, Running Trails in Cotacachi, Road Cycling Routes in Cotacachi, and Cycling in Cotacachi.
Official information about Cotacachi can be found through the Municipio de Cotacachi (Cotacachi Municipality). Their official website is cotacachi.gob.ec. For direct inquiries, a phone number is +593 6 2915 117.
Yes, Cotacachi provides routes suitable for jogging. These routes allow for exploration of the region's natural settings at a running pace. More details can be found in the Running Trails in Cotacachi guide.
Cuicocha Lagoon is a significant volcanic crater lake known for its turquoise waters and two volcanic islands, Yerovi and Teodoro Wolf. It is a popular site for hiking, with a loop trail around its rim offering panoramic views. The lake is a central feature of the region's natural landscape.

