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Cordillera Central Ecuador

Cordillera Central Ecuador

The Top 20 Natural Monuments in the Cordillera Central Ecuador

Cordillera Central Ecuador’s landscape is a beautiful place to explore — something that you can best experience by visiting one of our 20

beautiful natural monuments in the Cordillera Central Ecuador. To help you find the one for, you can see all the details you need to explore the best natural monuments, and better plan your next outdoor adventure!

Last updated: November 21, 2025

Quilotoa Lagoon

Highlight • Lake

In the afternoon it gets cloudy. Best practice is arriving before noon, or doing a morning hike around the lake.

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Cuicocha Lagoon Loop Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

Circular hike around the "guinea pig lagoon". The easiest way to get there from Otavalo is by bus to Quiroga and then by taxi from the parque central there ($5)

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Virgin of El Panecillo

Highlight • Monument

The Virgin of El Panecillo, also known as the Virgin of Quito due to the name of the sculpture on which it is inspired, is a monument in the city …

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Limpiopungo Lagoon

Highlight • Lake

A beautiful lagoon that you can also walk around from the parking lot. When the weather is nice, you have a good view of the Cotopaxi.

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Laguna Toreadora

Highlight • Lake

Beautiful lake at the Toreadora ranger station. It is just off Ruta 1 or can be viewed from an elevated vantage point next to the station.

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Peguche Waterfall

Highlight • Waterfall

Look for a sacred place with beautifully landscaped hiking trails. At the top you can crawl through narrow caves and discover other smaller waterfalls.

Entrance fees are required.

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Trailhead for Rumiñahui Central and North

Highlight • Trail

When traveling almost half of the path around the lagoon, at this point take the path that is exclusive to go to Rumiñahui Central and North.

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García Moreno Trail

Highlight • Trail

Nice views from the hills along the way. A deep view of the lake landscape and the Paramo

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Wild horses in Cotopaxi National Park

Highlight • Natural

We were surprised that we found wild horses here.

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Toreadora Refuge, Cajas National Park

Highlight • Lake

Beautiful park at almost 4000 meters altitude. Very special vegetation and beautiful landscapes. Feels surreal.

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Places to see

Lakes

Waterfalls

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Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones in the Cordillera Central Ecuador:

Pichincha Parque Nacional Galápagos Galápagos Cotopaxi Imbabura Bellavista

The Top 20 Natural Monuments in the Cordillera Central Ecuador

Quilotoa Lagoon

Cuicocha Lagoon Loop Trailhead

Virgin of El Panecillo

Limpiopungo Lagoon

Laguna Toreadora

Peguche Waterfall

Trailhead for Rumiñahui Central and North

García Moreno Trail

Wild horses in Cotopaxi National Park

Toreadora Refuge, Cajas National Park

Other adventures in the Cordillera Central Ecuador

Most popular routes in the Cordillera Central Ecuador

Most popular attractions in the Cordillera Central Ecuador

Get inspired with the komoot mobile app

Explore more

Get ready to conquer new peaks

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