Driving the wild road to Refugio Volcán Guagua Pichincha
Ecuador, south-america
8 km
4,557 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the Ecuadorian Andes, just a stone's throw (8km!) from Quito, awaits the Refugio Volcán Guagua Pichincha. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a rugged, unpaved, 14 km (8.69 miles) climb to a staggering 4,557m (14,950ft) above sea level!
Picture this: you, your trusty 4x4 (high clearance a MUST!), and a winding dirt track that's seen its share of rainstorms. Think dusty in the dry season, muddy when it's wet. This road throws a 10.95% average grade at you, gaining 1.534 meters in elevation — seriously steep!
You're heading to the slopes of the active Pichincha Volcano, so fill up that gas tank, because power lag is real at this altitude! The refuge itself is a cozy spot with basic bunks, but the real reward? A 40-minute hike to the volcano's summit. Keep an eye on the weather, though, conditions up here can change in a heartbeat. Trust me, this road trip is an unforgettable experience.
Where is it?
Driving the wild road to Refugio Volcán Guagua Pichincha is located in Ecuador (south-america). Coordinates: -1.5700, -78.7907
Road Details
- Country
- Ecuador
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 8 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,557 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -1.5700, -78.7907
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