El Páramo de Papallacta sits within the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve near Quito. Here there are great hiking trails, interesting plant life and stellar views.
Quito is surrounded by great hiking areas and one of the best has to be El Páramo de Papallacta (Papallacta Paramo).
Part of the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve, the paramo sits between the massive Cayambe (5,790 m) and Antisana (5,753 m) volcanoes whose summits are visible on clear days.
The paramo is a haven of biodiversity and these high-altitude grassland and peatland ecosystems are unique to the northern Andes.
At Pappallacta Páramo there are a range of adventurous hiking trails which take you through the flora-rich landscape and by beautiful lakes.
In this guide, I’ll dive into the different hikes you can do at the paramo, the trail conditions, and how to get to the famous Papallacta hot springs.
Hiking at El Páramo de Papallacta overview
- There are three entry points (puntos de control) to the paramo: La Virgen, Guamani and Baños.
- You can hike in the paramo between 8:00 and 15:00.
- At the paramo there are several interconnected trails.
- The shortest trail is just 1.5 km while the longest is 10.5 km.
- You can hike all the way from La Virgen control point to Papallacta thermal baths and vice versa.
- Trails are of medium difficulty with some steep sections and uneven ground.
- The maximum altitude you can reach is 4,300 m.
- If you want a guide, I recommend Tre Panchin: +593 99 572 7833. He’s based in Quito and highly experienced.
- During the rainy season (October – May) it pours here most days.
How to get to Papallacta Paramo
The most convenient way is to either drive to La Virgen control point or take a bus to La Virgen del Páramo, a small alcove next to the main road about a 10-min walk from its namesake control point. Inside the alcove is a statue of the Virgin Mary and drivers regularly stop here to pray.
From Quito it takes around 1 h to drive to La Virgen del Páramo and on the bus it takes around 2 h. Buses leave from Quitumbe, the south terminal, and you need to take one heading either to Baeza or Baños (the town).
The bus journey costs around $3 US and you need to tell the attendant you want to get off at La Virgen del Páramo otherwise the bus doesn’t stop here. You can get to Quitumbe with the metro in around 20 min from central Quito and a ticket costs $0.45 US.
If you want to hike from Papallacta town to La Virgen, then stay on the bus until you get to Papallacta. Then a taxi can drop you near the Baños control point.
Buses heading back to Quito are few and far between. You might have to wait a while in Papallacta or at La Virgen del Páramo. Make sure to wave the bus down if you’re waiting at La Virgen, else it won’t stop. You can flag down any bus going towards Quito.
Trail conditions
Th trails at El Páramo de Papallacta are only steep in some sections and aren’t technical. But what might challenge you is the distance of the longer trails combined with the altitude.
I haven’t hiked all of the trails here, but they’re all similar, so if you’ve done one, then you have an idea of what the rest are like.
Sendero Antennas (Antenas Trail)
- Distance: 3.5 km
- Duration: 1 h-2 h
- Difficulty: moderate
This is the nearest trail to the Virgen entry point. The Antenas Trail is 3.5 km along a gravely road that winds its way through the paramo pretty much all uphill.
Antennas means antenas in English and the name refers to a cluster of radio masts at the end of the trail. Just behind the masts is a steep hill with a hut atop and the views from here are cracking.
You can see across the paramo including several of the beautiful lakes, some of which you pass on the way and can drop down to the shores of.
Just be careful going up this hill in the rain. It gets super slippery and, if you fall, you might go sliding down. This actually happened to me.
Where to stay in Quito
My accommodation recommendations based on personal experience or excellent ratings across major booking platforms.
- Community Hostel: a budget hostel with a fun vibe. There are great views from the rooftop terrace.
- Apartamento 32 Juana de Arco: a holiday apartment with all amenities in the historic centre.
- Friends Hotel & Rooftop: A mid-range hotel in the historic centre offering veggie and vegan meals.
- Hotel La Basílica: A centrally-located, higher-end hotel with beautiful rooms and church views.
Sendero Agua y Vida (Water and Life Trail)
- Distance: 10.5 km
- Duration: 4 h-6 h
- Difficulty: moderate
At 10.5 km, this is the longest trail in the paramo and it connects the end of the Antenas Trail to the Baños control point.
If you want to hike the whole paramo – between the Virgen and Baños control points – then you need to add on the Antenas Trail, making the total distance around 15 km.
Get to the paramo early if you want to do this. You have to register at control points and they won’t let you hike the whole trail if you’ll be out after dark or if the weather is bad.
Along the route you pass some pretty big lakes including Laguna Parcacocha and Laguna San Cristobal. You also see the paramo pretty much in its entirety.
The best way to do this trail is to start at the Virgen control point at 8:00 (the opening time) and go all the way to the thermal baths in Papallacta just below the Baños control point.
Papallacta Hot Springs (Termas de Papallacta)
I love these thermal baths and they’re the perfect way to relax after the long hike. There are several warm baths and a freezing cold one and it’s nice to switch between them.
You can stay in the baths until 21:00 and entry costs $11 US. There are also restaurants onsite the resort and just outside.
Laguna Sucus (Sucus Lake)
- Distance: 2 km
- Duration: 1 h
- Difficulty: moderate
Sucus is a massive lake just outside of the main hiking area of the paramo. It’s a really picturesque lagoon surrounded by lush landscape and tall-ish peaks.
To get here, you need to walk alongside the main road down the hill from La Virgen del Páramo for about 10 min until you come to a set of steps on the left-hand side of the road which climb the hillside. You could easily walk past these so keep your eyes peeled.
Climb the steps and you join a narrow, grassy trail which brings you to the lake. The initial section of the trail is really easy, but then there’s a steep descent towards the lake which you later need to climb to get back.
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Sendero Oso (Bear Trail)
At 7.5 km, this is a shorter trail running between the Virgin and Baños control points. You can get to Papallacta thermal baths faster this way and still see cool lakes along the way.
Yuyos and Bayeros trails
Both of these trails are 1.5 km and are named after the respective lakes they lead to. You can get to the trailheads by taking the trail that runs parallel to the Water and Life Trail.
When to hike at Papallacta Paramo
The dry season in the Central Andes typically runs from June to October and is the best time to hike. During these months the weather is warmer and trails are in best condition.
The rainy season runs late October to May and it usually starts raining around midday. When it rains at the paramo it pours, but you could hike for a few hours before the heavens open if you start earlier in the morning.
What to bring when hiking here
- Warm layers.
- Sunscreen.
- A packed lunch.
- At least 2 L of water.
- Waterproof layers.
- Coca leaves if you get altitude sick
- Enough cash for the thermal baths, buses and taxis.
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El Páramo de Papallacta is a really good day trip from Quito and the cherry on top is a relaxing dip in the hot springs at the end.
If you’re going during the rainy season, be prepared for heavy rain and limited views. But if you’re here on a dry, clear day, there will be incredible scenes of the nearby Antisana and Cayambe volcanoes along with the stunning lakes.
More adventures in and near Quito:
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- How to Visit the Cable Car in Quito (TelefériQo)
- Virgin of El Panecillo Viewpoint in Quito
- How to Visit the Basílica del Voto Nacional in Quito
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- Great Pita Waterfall (Gran Cascada del Rio Pita): A Hidden Gem Near Quito
- Vilatuña and Condor Machay Waterfall Hike
- Guide to the Pasochoa Hike (Volcan Pasochoa)
- Cuicocha Lake (Laguna Cuicocha) Hike Guide Ecuador