Cuenca to Guayaquil — Cajas National ParkCrossing.
Distance
180 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,300 m
Cuenca to Guayaquil — Cajas National Park Crossing.
One of Ecuador's great descents: from colonial Cuenca the road climbs into the lake-studded páramo of Cajas National Park, crosses the continental divide at 4,160 m, then drops nearly four kilometres of altitude to the tropical Pacific plain and the port city of Guayaquil. Expect dramatic scenery and fast-changing weather.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance180 km
Days1
Total climb1,300 m
Fuel stops1 along route
DifficultyModerate
Loading map...
The route.
CuencaStart · UNESCO colonial city at 2,560 m. Fuel up and dress warm — you climb into páramo within an hour.
Laguna ToreadoraScenic Point · The park's most visited glacial lake at 3,900 m, ringed by 270-plus lakes across the Cajas plateau.
Tres CrucesMountain Pass · Continental divide at 4,160 m — waters split here toward the Pacific and the Amazon. Fog and cold roll in fast.
MolleturoRestaurant · First warm-climate village on the western descent; cheap roadside lunch.
NaranjalFuel Stop · Down on the coastal plain in humid tropics; fuel and hydrate before the highway to the coast.
GuayaquilEnd · Ecuador's largest city and Pacific port, ending on the Malecón 2000 riverfront.
More routes in Ecuador
Save this ride. Open the app.
Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.
Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS