José Rivas Refuge – View from Cotopaxi loop from Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Ecuador

Cotopaxi

Mulalo

José Rivas Refuge – View from Cotopaxi loop from Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

Hard

5.0

(6)

130

hikers

José Rivas Refuge – View from Cotopaxi loop from Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

04:51

7.01km

1,210m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly walkable paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: November 2, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

22 m

Cotopaxi Parking Area

Highlight • Parking

Here at 4620m the road ends. Hikers are drawn up to the Jose Ribas hut, bikers can enjoy the fantastic nature in the 360 degree cinema on the descent with the volcano behind them.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

193 m

Cotopaxi Parking Lot

Highlight • Parking

The parking lot is video monitored by a camera! The drive up is demanding but possible with any car! You have to take the last corner with momentum or you have no chance!

Showing Translation

Tip by

402 m

Wildlife in Cotopaxi National Park

Highlight • Natural

Keep your eyes open as you drive through the park. Wild horses, falcons, llamas and curious Andean foxes keep crossing the path.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

899 m

José Rivas Refuge

Highlight • Mountain Hut

This shelter is 4864 steps closer to the moon - for us Europeans - an astonishing height. Cozy inside, it also defies the adverse conditions you'll find outside on your …

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.22 km

Cotopaxi Summit

Highlight • Summit

Apparently Komoot unfortunately recorded some incorrect data here, which is a shame. Here are the correct dates: We set off from Refugio José Rivas (4864m) at 1 a.m. and arrived …

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.88 km

Below the Cotopaxi Glacier

Highlight • Natural Monument

back you go a little more direct in the direction of Refugio over red clay soil. That goes again in the legs!

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.92 km

View from Cotopaxi

Highlight • Viewpoint

the view from this height is not always good. Often foggy. However, when the cloud cover breaks open, the lowlands stretch far into the distance. The sun plays with the …

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.01 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.83 km

1.95 km

244 m

Surfaces

4.83 km