Imbabura Map
(Click on the GPS points to see the photos; use two fingers to move the map)
Get Directions
routes
| Route | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Route "La Esperanza": | ||
| Hiking Start – Summit 1 | Easy | 3 - 4h |
| Summit 1 – Highest Summit | Easy | 1 – 1.5h |
| Start – Highest Summit – Start | Easy | 7 – 9h |
- Recommendations
Recommendations
- You can climb this mountain in a single day when you leave at dawn in your own vehicle from Quito. But, the recommendation would be to do it in two days, sleeping one night in Ibarra and hiring a pickup truck or taxi for approaching the mountain.
- La Esperanza is a picturesque town near Ibarra; it is approximately 8km from Ibarra to La Esperanza (25 minutes by car) and an additional 5km (10 minutes by car) to the place where the hike to the Imbabura summit begins.
- It is a "classic" to get in shape before climbing a higher or harder mountain.
- You start walking where the carriage road ends, an approximate height of 3380 meters. The highest summit is at 4640m and the summit 1 at 4563m.
- The climb begins in a place of paddocks and crop fields, then the trail crosses the paramo with a greater slope. It takes a good effort to get to the rock.
- The path is quite clear up to the summit 1, anyone with a good physical condition could climb this summit. A little care is recommended on the descent, because, although most of the trail is clear, when arriving at the crop fields and paddocks, doubts may arise.
- Before reaching the summit 1 it is necessary to make a short climb of a III degree. It might be easy for anyone.
- Most people only climb to the summit 1.
- The route from the summit 1 to the highest summit goes around the crater , mostly easy sand and rock, although there are small sections with climbing up to an IV degree. Advised for people with intermediate experience in rock climbing.
- Do not underestimate the Imbabura; It can be a hard walk for most people. Also because of the weather, It can get very windy and cold.
- The Imbabura is married with a very jealous cloud.
