The hike up to Bellavista starts at the south end of Calle Maldonado and is a steady climb up to a viewpoint where there are two cafés with unpredictable opening hours. Although the hike is almost all uphill, there are regular wooden covered lookouts to break the climb and make ideal rest spots. The view from the top is well worth the climb (vale la pena for sure!).

This short hike can be combined with the hike to the Virgen del Agua Santa to make a loop which will take three to four hours depending on your pace. To do this, follow the route to the Bellavista cross, then backtrack down the path you came up until you see a sign to Café del Cielo. Follow this path steeply upwards until you reach the café (part of Luna Runtun Lodge) where you will probably be in need of a break, as it’s a tiring climb. From here the sign posted track to the Virgin gently descends until you reach the concrete statue and lookout. To head back to town, just follow the steps down.

Hiking

By Tom Ravenscroft

Initially intending to just pass through Ecuador on his year-long sojourn across the world, Tom Raven Scroft decided to set up camp in Quito as an...

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