Trail Running in Ecuador: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

Situated in the northwest of South America, Ecuador is bordered by Colombia to the north, Peru to the east as well as south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The terrain of the country was home to a collection of indigenous peoples, which were first incorporated into the Inca Empire. Ecuador has four main geographic regions: the coast, which is the most fertile, the highlands that consists of the Andes that are packed with mountains and volcanoes, the Amazonian jungle, and the Galapagos Islands.

Sustained trails

The running trails of Ecuador zigzag through gorgeous valleys and idyllic villages, by high mountains topped with snow and dramatic ridgelines, past beautiful hot springs and gushing waterfalls, and follow the ups and downs of the mountain slopes. And as with the steep inclines and declines, along with the high altitude, trail running in Ecuador is quite a demanding sport, which requires a good level of fitness.

Stunning stratovolcanoes

The Andes run directly through the centre of the country, and rising from the range are spectacular cone-shaped volcanoes sprinkled with snow. The highest mountain in the country is the inactive volcano of Chimborazo, and located at the equator, is the farthest point from the centre of the Earth. Or the dramatic cone of Cotopaxi, that’s linked to the chain of volcanoes around the Ring of Fire.

Rich mountain culture

Ecuador is richly diverse in geography and culture. Sitting on top of the Andean mountainside, the communities have cultivated different types of tradition and culture. But a close sense of relationship with food, clothing and the natural landscapes tie different mountain communities together. With the high altitude cuisine is centred around meat, rice and hominy.

The climate of Ecuador varies between its regions. Its highlands are characterised by a subtropical climate. Situated in the centre of the country, the highlands receive a much cooler climate than other parts of the country.

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Visit all year round for different climates of trail running conditions.