Marked paths, wild ridgelines, and secret spots—all within walking distance from the center of Baños.
Some towns need a car to reach nature. Not here. In Baños, trails start just a few blocks from your bed. Some lead to a quiet café, others to panoramic ridgelines or distant waterfalls.
Whether you want a short morning climb or a multi-day trek into volcanic highlands, you’ll find well-marked paths—and the freedom to move at your own pace, on your own terms.
These are the routes locals actually recommend—not long-distance treks or packaged circuits. Just clear paths to viewpoints, forests, and volcano lookouts. All are scenic, safe, and guide-free. If you’ve got a few open hours, this is the right kind of escape.
This route starts right in town and follows the Stations of the Cross stairway toward the viewpoint of La Virgen. From there, it continues along a mountain trail that leads directly to Café del Cielo. It’s a rewarding combination of effort, views, and a premium café or fresh juice at the end.
Distance: 3.83 km
Elevation Gain: + 393 m
Average Time: 1h30min
This trail begins in San Vicente and follows the contours above the Pastaza River. Along the way, it weaves through quiet rural areas, offering a peaceful walking experience and amazing views.
Distance: 4.34 km
Elevation Gain: + 246 m
Average Time: 1h30min
This is the most expansive trail in terms of views, stretching from the outskirts of Ulba into the highlands near the national park buffer zone. Though demanding, it offers unmatched panoramas of the Tungurahua volcano, Baños below, and the Andean valleys beyond. Every April, it becomes part of the Petzl Trail Plus race, and it's considered one of the most iconic hiking routes in Ecuador.
Distance: 6.66 km
Elevation Gain: + 793 m
Average Time: 3h20min
This route begins with the trail to La Virgen and continues upward along a steep and continuous incline. From the viewpoint, hikers can either head toward Café del Cielo or continue climbing toward the high ridge known as La Cuchilla, a spine-like mountain formation that gives the trail its name. The path is well-trodden, exposed, and offers expansive volcano views as it leads to the Casa del Árbol. It’s a rewarding route for those who want to reach Baños’ most iconic viewpoint entirely on foot.
Distance: 8.88 km
Elevation Gain: + 918 m
Average Time: 3h50min
Want more? These trails head out of town and into higher altitude, wilder terrain. Ideal for hikers with time, gear, or a guide. Some connect villages. Some disappear into cloud forest. All of them remind you how small you are.
This trek a demanding climb through steep, often muddy cloud forest, transitioning to loose, rocky volcanic scree near the summit. While not technically challenging with ropes, its sheer incline, potential for rockfall, and the effects of high altitude require excellent physical condition and acclimatization. Given Tungurahua's active status, it's crucial to check current conditions and strongly consider hiring an experienced local guide for safety.
Distance: 6.7 km
Elevation Gain: + 2164 m
Duration: 2 days
Note: Guide Needed
The trek to Laguna Amarilla on El Altarinvolves navigating through dense, often boggy paramo grasslands and crossing numerous riverswith unpredictable weatherThe final approach to the stunning yellow-tinted glacial lake requires traversing rocky moraines and can involve steep, exposed sections, demandi-weather gear
Distance: 13.44 km
Elevation Gain: + 1368 m
Duration: 2 days
Note: Guide Needed
Stories and tips that go deeper than the trail map.
Post-hike routines matter. These are the places locals go to stretch, soak, snack, or just do nothing—and why it works.
Forests, rivers, ridgelines, volcanoes—and it’s all within reach without a car. Here’s why Baños is still unmatched for everyday outdoor access.
More than 20 eruptions in the past century—including the last in 2016—have shaped the landscape, the trails, and how locals live with the mountain.
Find lodging, food, guides, and more to match your route and pace. Plan smart. Hike better.