Cotopaxi Parking Lot – José Rivas Refuge loop from Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

Hiking trails & Routes

Ecuador

Cotopaxi

Mulalo

Cotopaxi Parking Lot – José Rivas Refuge loop from Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

Moderate

4.9

(13)

127

hikers

Cotopaxi Parking Lot – José Rivas Refuge loop from Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

01:55

4.96km

360m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly walkable paths. Sure-footedness required.

Last updated: August 14, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

Waypoints

Start point

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1.06 km

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.

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1.23 km

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!

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1.47 km

Switchbacks to Refugio José Rivas

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

For us the better option for the ascent as it is less steep and you don't encounter so many people!

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2.52 km

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 way to the glacier (or the summit).
No alcohol is served, there is a highly concentrated cocoa-flavoured sugar solution for refreshment. They like it sweet in the south. No wonder our guide preferred a hearty soup, which is served here as if you were somewhere in the lowlands.

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2.70 km

View of Cotopaxi Volcano from Refugio José Rivas

Highlight • Viewpoint

An experience you won't forget. Nice and slowly upwards. We were lucky and were rewarded with sun on the ascent. It rained briefly. But you always have to reckon with a change in the weather. Once at the top, there was delicious potato soup

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4.96 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.41 km

2.03 km

279 m

245 m

Surfaces

2.41 km

2.03 km

279 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 4 November

8°C

2°C

85 %

Additional weather tips

There’s a fairly high chance of rain. Consider packing a waterproof jacket.

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Comments

April 3, 2023,Cotopaxi - Aufstieg von ca. 4.600m bis zur Schutzhütte auf 4.864m, 03.04.2023

Step by step towards the refuge. We took all the weather with us on the way up. From sunshine to fog and rain to light snowfall. At every point you will be overwhelmed by the views. Is currently also not entirely harmless, since the Cotopaxi is active again.
At 5,887m, Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world. Due …

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