Vilcabamba & Podocarpus — Loja Valley of LongevityLoop.
Distance
90 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
900 m
Vilcabamba & Podocarpus — Loja Valley of Longevity Loop.
A relaxed day loop out of Loja in Ecuador's deep south. Quiet paved roads climb to the Cajanuma gateway of Podocarpus National Park — cloud forest and páramo — then drop through sugarcane country to Vilcabamba, the fabled "Valley of Longevity", before an easy run back to Loja. Gentle enough for a first Andean ride.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance90 km
Days1
Total climb900 m
DifficultyEasy
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The route.
LojaStart · Start in Loja (2,060m), a musical university city ringed by green hills. Head south toward Vilcabamba.
Podocarpus — Cajanuma EntranceScenic Point · The high gateway to Podocarpus National Park, 8km south of Loja. Elfin cloud forest and páramo between 2,900 and 3,500m — a short detour off the main road, cool and misty.
MalacatosScenic Point · A warm sugarcane valley town. The climate softens noticeably as you drop off the páramo — jackets come off here.
VilcabambaRestaurant · The "Valley of Longevity", long famed for the age of its residents. Lazy plaza cafés and a gentle climate — the perfect lunch and turnaround.
LojaEnd · Easy paved run back north to Loja to close the loop.
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