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Quilotoa Loop

Quilotoa Loop — the trail guide

The Quilotoa Loop is a 34.3 km trek in Ecuador, typically walked in 2–3 days, with 2548 m of total ascent. It rates Moderate on our published rubric (74 m of gain per km, topping out at 3883 m).

The Quilotoa Loop is a village-to-village trek across Ecuador's central highlands, linking Sigchos, Isinliví, Chugchilán and the crater village of Quilotoa. Trails drop into the Río Toachi's deep canyons and climb back through Kichwa farmland between roughly 2,800 and 3,900 metres, finishing on the rim of a flooded caldera famed for its turquoise lake.

Quick facts

Distance34.3 km
Total ascent2548 m
Typical duration2–3 days
Difficulty (computed)Moderate
Steepness74 m gain per km
High point3883 m
CountryEcuador
RegionEcuador

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Moderate" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 2532 m · high point 3883 m · 2548 m total ascent over 34.3 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 2852 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan15°9°489 mm
Feb15°9°473 mm
Mar15°9°565 mm
Apr16°9°595 mm
May16°9°512 mm
Jun16°8°421 mm
Jul16°8°323 mm
Aug17°8°268 mm
Sep17°8°338 mm
Oct16°8°439 mm
Nov16°9°369 mm
Dec16°9°524 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Quilotoa Loop?

The Quilotoa Loop is 34.3 km, and most hikers complete it in 2–3 days. Total elevation gain is 2548 m.

How difficult is the Quilotoa Loop?

It rates Moderate on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 74 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 3883 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the Quilotoa Loop is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the Quilotoa Loop?

In Ecuador. The route starts near -0.706, -78.885 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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