Minor corrections:
-Change "Teleferico" to "Teleferiqo"
-Teleferiqo drops passengers off at about 4000m, according to a sign near the trailhead.
-Teleferiqo runs until 730pm
The photo of Padre Encantado on the overview page isn't correct. This is a peak called Cundur Huachana, which is also accessible via the normal route to Rucu.
My undestanding is that Cruz Loma is the viewpoint at the top of the Teleferiqo. As an alternative to the Teleferiqo, there is a pretty easy-to-find route which starts in the "Parque Miraflores", just north of the San Juan tunnels.. there is a path into the park which climbs directly for about 20 mins, hang a left in a big field with some buildings on the northwest side until you hit the road, from there the path heads pretty straight and rather steep up to Cruz Loma, with frequent altitude signboards from the city of Quito posted along the way. Took us about 3 hrs starting in Miraflores to get to the top of the Teleferiqo.
gbreynolds86 - Jun 16, 2015 6:58 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: rucu
Hello -
Thank you for your helpful post. I was hoping to tap into your expertise...
I am one of four guys headed to Quito in July. We wanted to make this a more adventurous trip, so the middle portion will be at an ecolodge and we hoped to conclude the trip with a hike up a local mountain/volcano.
My concern is that we are not experienced climbers (hardest climb = Adirondaks and it was easy), although we are athletic (2 of us training for a marathon and the others could be). This is why I thought Rucu, starting from the top of Teleferico, would be an appropriate choice.
Now the questions...
1) Do you think Rucu is an appropriate choice for our fitness level, experience and desire for something challenging but feasible?
2) Altitude sickness is another concern of mine. Our plan is to spend 2 days in Quito, then 2 days at an Ecolodge at a lower elevation, then back to Quito for 3 days. If we do the hike on the 3rd day once we return to Quito, do you think that altitude sickness will be a real threat?
3) I'm worried about the lack of information on getting to the top. Your description was perhaps the best so far. Just wondering if you think it really is self-evident or if there is more directional information we will need.
The correct name is Teleférico according to the Real Academia de la Lengua Española:
teleférico.
(Del fr. telephérique).
1. m. Sistema de transporte en que los vehículos van suspendidos de un cable de tracción. Se emplea principalmente para salvar grandes diferencias de altitud.
The generic name in Spanish for an aerial cable car/cable-suspended tram is teleférico, but the name with a capital Q substituted for the c is the brand name for this specific one in Quito (Qo for Quito). And for those with neighborhood safety concerns, taxi cabs are exceptionally reasonable in cost to skip the tougher areas. Flagging a cab in Quito is fast and easy. $3 or less gets you most places.
Can climb any day of the year, unless raining or storming heavily.
Teleferico ticket office opens approx. 8:15 a.m. fri, sat & sun, 9:00 a.m. mon-thur. The best time to be there and climb is at opening. Storms and lightning occur often around 1-3 p.m. People do quick-climb Rucu with one night's acclimatization, but any delay around the summit could put one in major danger. 3 to 5 nites in Quito before climbing is advisable.
The easy route is pretty straightforward, hiking on the ridge for around 1 hour 10-20 minutes, then the only trail goes around and to the right(north) of the ridge for 30 minutes, finally up all the loose sand. Since the trail has migrated 80 meters to the right(west) because of the thousands of people coming down, it is important to remember that an 80 meter left(East) trail traverse is needed as one approaches the summit or you will end up on the rock west of the summit. Ignore all pointed signs and markers, as they are markers for long-distance trails.
Another option after hiking 1 hour 20 minutes to rocky ridge, is to scramble straight up the rock ridge to the summit, Staying directly on the ridge for first half hour until an open area is reached, then staying left and below the ridge for 20 minutes until the "Carlos Iberra" marker is reached. Can go down and around to right, then cross parallel on the ruta de baca to the actual paso,or left around and over to the the Paso De La Muerte. Directly down to the paso from the left is the most fun, jugs and easy lo-angle climbing just when you need it, easy crawl across the paso and one exposed step to the right and up through the notch. Most climbers don't rope up. 20 more easy minutes to the summit. Run/walk down the easy normal trail to the north for fun and to avoid afternoon storms. Total time 4-5 hours. I've summited over 100 times paso de la muerte.
I climbed Pichincha more or less monthly in early 70's while teaching 2 years in Quito. Never benighted. Some 40 years later the TF ascent helped but after assisting a rookie scrambler for several hours, we were benighted at the upper station. Soldiers helped by calling a farmer who brought us back into town in a small truck (through the "difficult" neighborhood below) for a modest fee. Yes, I was older and slower.
MattieQuigley - Mar 15, 2018 11:16 pm - Hasn't voted
Rucu Without The Teleferico, Climbing Area and Ladrillos
Hey! I've been living in Quito for the last two years and have never had any issues with robberies or crime doing Rucu without the Teleferico. It's a very common thing for trail runners to do.
Also this posts misses the 4th Pichincha peak: Ladrillos
Finally it would be cool to mention the climbing area that has just opened up close to the top of the teleferico.
For more information go to: https://hikeecuador.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/los-pichinchas/
dielotr - Jan 13, 2013 10:45 pm - Voted 10/10
TeleferiqoMinor corrections:
-Change "Teleferico" to "Teleferiqo"
-Teleferiqo drops passengers off at about 4000m, according to a sign near the trailhead.
-Teleferiqo runs until 730pm
jm141302 - Oct 8, 2013 11:30 am - Hasn't voted
Incorrect PhotoThe photo of Padre Encantado on the overview page isn't correct. This is a peak called Cundur Huachana, which is also accessible via the normal route to Rucu.
Vivyenne - Nov 9, 2013 4:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Cruz loma?My undestanding is that Cruz Loma is the viewpoint at the top of the Teleferiqo. As an alternative to the Teleferiqo, there is a pretty easy-to-find route which starts in the "Parque Miraflores", just north of the San Juan tunnels.. there is a path into the park which climbs directly for about 20 mins, hang a left in a big field with some buildings on the northwest side until you hit the road, from there the path heads pretty straight and rather steep up to Cruz Loma, with frequent altitude signboards from the city of Quito posted along the way. Took us about 3 hrs starting in Miraflores to get to the top of the Teleferiqo.
gbreynolds86 - Jun 16, 2015 6:58 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: rucuHello -
Thank you for your helpful post. I was hoping to tap into your expertise...
I am one of four guys headed to Quito in July. We wanted to make this a more adventurous trip, so the middle portion will be at an ecolodge and we hoped to conclude the trip with a hike up a local mountain/volcano.
My concern is that we are not experienced climbers (hardest climb = Adirondaks and it was easy), although we are athletic (2 of us training for a marathon and the others could be). This is why I thought Rucu, starting from the top of Teleferico, would be an appropriate choice.
Now the questions...
1) Do you think Rucu is an appropriate choice for our fitness level, experience and desire for something challenging but feasible?
2) Altitude sickness is another concern of mine. Our plan is to spend 2 days in Quito, then 2 days at an Ecolodge at a lower elevation, then back to Quito for 3 days. If we do the hike on the 3rd day once we return to Quito, do you think that altitude sickness will be a real threat?
3) I'm worried about the lack of information on getting to the top. Your description was perhaps the best so far. Just wondering if you think it really is self-evident or if there is more directional information we will need.
I really appreciate your help!!
Best,
Greg
Sergio - Mar 7, 2015 7:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Teleferico versus teleferiqoDear Dielotr and all other colleagues.
The correct name is Teleférico according to the Real Academia de la Lengua Española:
teleférico.
(Del fr. telephérique).
1. m. Sistema de transporte en que los vehículos van suspendidos de un cable de tracción. Se emplea principalmente para salvar grandes diferencias de altitud.
Miguel1 - Aug 15, 2015 2:57 pm - Hasn't voted
TelefériQoThe generic name in Spanish for an aerial cable car/cable-suspended tram is teleférico, but the name with a capital Q substituted for the c is the brand name for this specific one in Quito (Qo for Quito). And for those with neighborhood safety concerns, taxi cabs are exceptionally reasonable in cost to skip the tougher areas. Flagging a cab in Quito is fast and easy. $3 or less gets you most places.
weshelor - Nov 27, 2015 4:40 pm - Hasn't voted
RucuCan climb any day of the year, unless raining or storming heavily.
Teleferico ticket office opens approx. 8:15 a.m. fri, sat & sun, 9:00 a.m. mon-thur. The best time to be there and climb is at opening. Storms and lightning occur often around 1-3 p.m. People do quick-climb Rucu with one night's acclimatization, but any delay around the summit could put one in major danger. 3 to 5 nites in Quito before climbing is advisable.
The easy route is pretty straightforward, hiking on the ridge for around 1 hour 10-20 minutes, then the only trail goes around and to the right(north) of the ridge for 30 minutes, finally up all the loose sand. Since the trail has migrated 80 meters to the right(west) because of the thousands of people coming down, it is important to remember that an 80 meter left(East) trail traverse is needed as one approaches the summit or you will end up on the rock west of the summit. Ignore all pointed signs and markers, as they are markers for long-distance trails.
Another option after hiking 1 hour 20 minutes to rocky ridge, is to scramble straight up the rock ridge to the summit, Staying directly on the ridge for first half hour until an open area is reached, then staying left and below the ridge for 20 minutes until the "Carlos Iberra" marker is reached. Can go down and around to right, then cross parallel on the ruta de baca to the actual paso,or left around and over to the the Paso De La Muerte. Directly down to the paso from the left is the most fun, jugs and easy lo-angle climbing just when you need it, easy crawl across the paso and one exposed step to the right and up through the notch. Most climbers don't rope up. 20 more easy minutes to the summit. Run/walk down the easy normal trail to the north for fun and to avoid afternoon storms. Total time 4-5 hours. I've summited over 100 times paso de la muerte.
19Peter43 - Jun 25, 2017 3:17 pm - Voted 9/10
Benighted? Soldiers helpI climbed Pichincha more or less monthly in early 70's while teaching 2 years in Quito. Never benighted. Some 40 years later the TF ascent helped but after assisting a rookie scrambler for several hours, we were benighted at the upper station. Soldiers helped by calling a farmer who brought us back into town in a small truck (through the "difficult" neighborhood below) for a modest fee. Yes, I was older and slower.
MattieQuigley - Mar 15, 2018 11:16 pm - Hasn't voted
Rucu Without The Teleferico, Climbing Area and LadrillosHey! I've been living in Quito for the last two years and have never had any issues with robberies or crime doing Rucu without the Teleferico. It's a very common thing for trail runners to do.
Also this posts misses the 4th Pichincha peak: Ladrillos
Finally it would be cool to mention the climbing area that has just opened up close to the top of the teleferico.
For more information go to: https://hikeecuador.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/los-pichinchas/
Csimmi - Aug 9, 2018 12:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Teleferiqo Opening HourTeleferiqo opens at 8 am - might be important, since the earlier you start the trek, the more likely you will have a clear weather and great views!