Οι καλύτερες πεζοπορίες σε ηφαίστεια στο Κοτοπάξι

It went easier than expected. The air is thin up here but doable.

the view from this height is not always good. Often foggy. However, when the cloud cover breaks open, the lowlands stretch far into the distance. The sun plays with the many yellow and green tones as far as the eye can see.

This shelter is 4864 steps closer to the moon - for us Europeans - an astonishing height. Cozy inside, it also defies the adverse conditions you'll find outside on your way to the glacier (or the summit). No alcohol is served, there is a highly concentrated cocoa-flavoured sugar solution for refreshment. They like it sweet in the south. No wonder our guide preferred a hearty soup, which is served here as if you were somewhere in the lowlands.

Keep your eyes open as you drive through the park. Wild horses, falcons, llamas and curious Andean foxes keep crossing the path.

Indescribably beautiful view during the ascent to the base camp at 4864m.

The Refugio José Rivas is located at 4,864 m altitude. There you can stay overnight by prior reservation or simply strengthen yourself for the hike with coca tea or hot chocolate. There are also some snacks.

Great mountain to do. Beautiful typical conical volcano peak. Busy and tough!

We went from El Chaupi to the Corazón. Our ascent began at the entrance to the Reserva, where we left the car. Then we followed the dirt road to the marked junction of the path to Corazón. From now on we went on muddy paths through the Paramo up to a ridge that led us directly to the summit. This path climbs very steeply in places. One point, a rather exposed rock transition, is a bit daring to cross, but almost everyone can master it with concentration and the use of hands. However, normal dogs have problems here. The point is about 30 minutes from the summit. After overcoming this passage, it goes on with easy scrambling to the summit. If several people are on the move, a helmet is a good idea because of the risk of stones being kicked. I have now been to the Corazón twice and unfortunately, despite the early start (ascent from 6:30 a.m.), the weather never allowed me a clear view of the summit. The photos of the Ilinizas, the Cotopaxi, Ruminahui, Sincholagua and even the Antisana were only possible at the beginning of the hike. The ascent to the summit took about 4 hours. We had taken a few breaks.