Pululahua Volcano
Description
The Pululahua Volcano complex is located in the Pichincha Province, almost on the equator line north of Quito, bordering the towns of San Antonio de Pichincha, Calacalí and Pomasqui. The highest point is the Sincholahua summit at 3,356 m. Unlike other Ecuadorian volcanoes, Pululahua is not a large conical mountain, but is made up of several volcanic domes spread over an area of around 40 km2 and a main crater 3-4 km in diameter between the domes. Pululahua is frequently visited by hikers looking for a picturesque place near Quito; One activity is hiking to the summits of the main domes: El Chivo, El Pondoña and Cerros de La Marca. An important characteristic is that Pululahua is the only active crater in Ecuador with a permanent population living inside it, amidst all kinds of crops and grazing animals.
Data Table
| Place | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Highest Summit | 3356m |
| Crater Viewpoint | 2833m |
| Crater floor | 2505m |
| El Chivo summit | 2718m |
| El Pondoña summit | 2975m |
National Park
Photos
Pululahua Crater, Moraspungo
View from El Mirador
El Chivo
Photo Gallery
Climbing and Hiking
 Tour to the Pululahua Volcano Crater | Private tour | $ 120,00 |
- Descent from the viewpoint to the Pululahua crater. Easy, 45min – 1h (one way).
- Trail to the Chivo Summit. Easy, 1h30 – 2h (one way).
- Trail to the "Mirador de Pondoña" viewpoint. Easy, 1h45 – 2h30 (one way).
- Trail around the Pondoña. Easy, 2h00 – 3h00 (from the crater floor).
- Trail to the themal springs - lime kilns. Easy, 2h00 – 3h00 (one way, from the crater floor).
- Trekking Pululahua - Guayllabamba River
- Trekking Pululahua - San José de Minas Town
- Trekking Pululahua - Niebli Town
- Click for more information
Flora
Lantana rugulosa
Barnadesia arborea
Kohleria spicata
Alternanthera porrigens
Flora Gallery
- How to get
- Distances
- Recommendations
How to get
Western Cordillera; 23 kilometers in a straight line north of Quito; 5 km from the "Mitad del Mundo" Monument. There are two routes for approaching Pululahua:
- Normal Approach "Mirador": From Quito take the highway to "Mitad del Mundo" (northbound), passing through the "Mitad del Mundo" roundabout, continue for about 4 kilometers on the motorway to Calacalí (Hw 28), until you come to the sign on the right indicating the way to the crater viewpoint, an additional kilometer on pavement until the Pululahua Viewpoint access control.
- Moraspungo Approach: Follow the same motorway for about 7 kilometers from the "Mitad del Mundo" roundabout, on the right you will see the sign that indicates the descent road to the Pululahua crater. This road is ballasted and normally for any vehicle.
