Cruzloma - Rucu Pichincha (TelefériQo )

Access to the starting point:
The lower station of Teleferiqo is situated in Quito (the capital of Ecuador) in the vicinity of Miraflores, Armero, La Comuna alta and La Gasca city districts.

The best and fastest option is to arrive by taxi, especially because they are conveniently abundant and in affordable price range. Alternatively, some of the bus lines in route via Av. Occidental (Mariscal Sucre) with bus stop at Antonio Jose de Sucre Y N25 get relatively close to the lower station. The lines are: Mitad del Mundo, San Carlos and Rapitrans. Nevertheless, the bus stop is some 150 meters of altitude below the lower station of teleferiqo cable car (at 3110 m above sea level). By telefériQo cablecar you will reach Cruzloma (upper station) at 3940 m above sea level.

Path description:
Many facilities stand near the TelefériQo upper station, the restaurant to the right and the observation point Cruzloma to the left.

Begin by passing left of the restaurant and go up the stairs. After few ten meters of gained altitude you will reach another observation point. Below the trail some 50 meters below stands a small church La Dolorosa, where you may decide to return from the mountain.

From observation point follow the trail northwest. A trail first loses some altitude, joins with a trail from the church La Dolorosa and continues to lead to the mountain. At some 4100 m of altitude the trail leads below the high-voltage power lines. Afterwards at about 4350 m of altitude you will reach a rock face of the mountain. From here go right (left is very difficult climbing trail). Follow the trail under the mountain and cross the slopes to the north while still gaining some altitude. Keep to the right and resist temptation to turn left. Worth mentioning is a steep rocky slope that could be technically partly difficult (a few meters). Afterwards, there is a scree part where an alternative path lead to the summit. This is ideal for a descent, therefore keep to the right. The trail soon reaches the compact ground where it begins to zig-zag up to the north mountain ridge.

Continue left from the ridge. These are the last 100 meters of elevation, however the trail at this point is technically somewhere from partly difficult to difficult and some scrambling is necessary.

The summit is wide. On a clear day Quito is seen, and a few over five-thousand meter high mountains, such as Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Ilinizas.

On the way: Cruzloma (3940m), La Dolorosa (3900m)

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