Edmundo's Skywalk

If you are spending time in the Lake Quilotoa area, there is no better way than this yomp of encountering a variety of remarkable landscapes and experiences in just a couple of hours.

Edmundo Vega of the Black Sheep Inn at Chugchilian created this circuit and it remains his favorite walk.

Starting at the Black Sheep, you quickly drop into a network of ever-deeper canyons with grassy bottoms, their own microclimates and dramatic tufa cliffs.

You then climb briefly, and wriggle through a notch in the ridge to meet a gasp-inducing view: the huge and deep Rio Sihui canyon spread out below you. Turning right, climb a long narrow ridge - knife-edge at times and definitely not for the vertigo sufferers while actually pretty safe - up to peculiar island-plateaux, where you wander through farmland, passing traditional choza peasants' grass huts, before dropping and climbing back to the Black Sheep.

A real shot of concentrated walking bliss.

This is demanding walking in remote mountains with uncertain weather, where altitude can cause problems. Come prepared, including proper acclimatization.

Ecuador Climbing and Hiking Guide - Viva has a worthwhile section on this area. Find relevant books by using our Amazon search function:

Find the books and maps listed above, and many more:

For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Quilotoa Area walk page.