Ruco Pichincha Peak
Description
Ruco Pichincha or "Rucu" Pichincha means "old" Pichincha. The Ruco is part of the old Pichincha volcano, whose caldera seems to have been located towards the western side, limited on that flank by Cerro Ladrillos and Padre Encantado. The new pichincha volcano is the Guagua Pichincha, the Ruco neighbor, which has surprised Quito many times with strong eruptions and ash falls. The proximity of the Ruco to the city and the ease of approaching by cable car make it a favorite place for tourism and sports training. Many adventurers fight its sandy slopes and rocks, easy to conquer when following the "arenal" route to the summit; and more demanding following the rock ridge route (“Las Agujas”), which offers interesting climbing possibilities.
Data Table
| Place | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Highest Summit | 4698m |
| Quito | 2800m |
| Low "Teleferico" st | 2983m |
| High "Teleferico" st. | 3992m |
| Rock ridge foot | 4436m |
| Sand slopes foot | 4514m |
| Rock door | 4656m |
Photos
Teleferiqo Quito
Trail to the Ruco Pichincha
"Las Agujas" route
Photo Gallery
Climbing and Hiking
- High "Teleferico" st. tourist circuit. Easy, 45min.
- Climb to the Ruco Pichincha summit from the Teleférico. Easy, 5 - 7h.
- Climb to the Ruco Pichincha summit "antenas" route. Easy, 9 - 11h.
- Guagua Pichincha - Padre Encantado - Ruco Pichincha
- Yanacocha - Cerro Ladrillos - Ruco Pichincha Trail
- Click for more information
Flora
Pappobolus imbaburensis
Erygium humile
Calamagrostis intermedia
Flora Gallery
- How to get
- Distances
- Recommendations
How to get
Western Cordillera; 8.5 kilometers in a straight line west of Quito. There are three routes to approach the Ruco Pichincha:
- Normal Approach “Teleférico”: It's without a doubt the fastest way to ascend the Ruco Pichincha. Take a taxi to the Teleferico Quito station (cableway); the ascent to the High Station takes approximately 18 minutes, the hike starts in paramo at almost 4000 meters high.
- “Antenas” Approach: Iñaquito Alto neighborhood, to the west of Mañosca and Av. Antonio Jose de Sucre. There begins the road to the “Antenas del Pichincha” ( pichincha antennae). This road is closed for private vehicles; however, it can be used by bicycles or walkers. This hike to the Ruco Pichincha lasts at least four hours longer than the cableway route.
- “Padre Encantado” Approach: This route starts at the Guagua Pichincha refuge. Take the road to Lloa in the south of Quito, La Mena 2 neighborhood, Angamarca street. It's possible to take a bus to this town; and there rent a pickup truck - taxi that sometimes reach the Guagua Pichincha refuge. The road is paved and in good conditions until Lloa, later paved and ballasted to the Guagua Pichincha refuge. it's advisable to go in 4×4 vehicles, especially the last part. The hike starts next to the Guagua Pichincha refuge, taking a trail to the Padre Encantado, Cerro Ladrillos and Ruco Pichincha. This route is known as La Integral de los Pichinchas.
