:: Hiking ::

Santa Lucia is a hikers' paradise with 6 trails ranging in altitude from 1,200 to 2,400 meters. Hikes range in difficulty from moderate to very difficult and in time from 45 minutes to 8 hours. Our trails pass through both primary and secondary forest, reforested areas, pastures, and organic banana and sugar cane plantations. Highlights include the The Cock-of-the-Rock Trail which leads to a lek (bird mating ritual) of the same bird, The Union of the Rivers Trail which joins with an ancient trade route of the Yumbo people who mysteriously disappeared, the Waterfalls Trails which passes by several waterfalls, and the educational Self-guided Trail which is accompanied by a brochure that describes points of interest. Click on Four Day Hiking Tour or Six Day Hiking Tour

Trails of Santa Lucia:

Cock-of-the-Rock Trail

A challenging hike to see the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock birds perform their mating ritual (lek). It is a spectacular sight and one not to be missed. It is important to arrive at the lek before 6 a.m. or, depending on weather, to go in the afternoon leaving after an early lunch for the afternoon performance.

The Cock-of-the-Rock Trail starts at the lodge and ascends gradually passing through primary forest with a steep ravine dropping to your left, and some small pastures on your right, with spectacular views of the surrounding terrain. After walking about 1 mile, the trail comes to an open area with even better views of the surrounding mountains and good possibilities of spotting some of the magnificent raptors soaring in the sky.

Soon the trail will descend steeply down to the right to the river below, passing open areas with giant tree ferns growing up from below on either side. Again the trees are laden with bromeliads, epiphytes and flowering vines which attract many species of hummingbirds and tanagers. For those of you with binoculars, you will be able to see the lek of the Club-winged Manakin. These tiny little colorful birds dance along a horizontal branch, clicking their wings to attract females.

The river is crystal clear and is shaded along the banks by the huge leaves of the Camacho. After crossing the river, you again ascend for about half a mile through thick forest, passing on your right a gigantic cedro tree. Soon the trail takes a left turn and levels out for a while before reaching the sight of the Cock-of-the-Rock lek.

We do ask that you do not visit the lek sight unless you accompanied by one of the guides from the lodge as these birds are extremely sensitive to any disturbance, and are protected.

Approx. time: 3-5 hours

Round trip distance: 5.8 km.

Elevation gain: 1,920

Elevation loss: 1,750

Cascade Trail

This is one of the most beautiful trails in Santa Lucia. This gorgeous trail, which descends steeply down into a thick primary forest of giant trees laden with bromeliads, epiphytes, and orchids hanging from the trees, eventually leads to a beautiful waterfall where the water cascades to the river down below. This is an excellent place to find the rare Giant Antpitta and the wary Dark-backed Wood-Quail. The very rare and local White-faced Nunbird, can sometimes be found here as well, sunning in the tall trees; recently, groups of up to four of these lethagic birds have been seen at a time, and a monitory project has been initiated to learn more about their secretive habits. This is also home to the recently decribed Cloud-forest Pygmy Owl. After passing numerous waterfalls one finally reaches the river where there is a crystal clear pool for swimming, as well as an ideal place for lunch. Here one should be on the lookout for the White-tailed Hillstar and the White-capped Dipper, both with a strong affinity for water.

Approx Time: 2-3 hours

Round Trip Distance: 3,6 km

Elevation Gain: 1,920

Elevation Loss: 1,600

Spectacled Bear Trail

The trail from Ali Mountain to Santa Lucia Lodge is reached via a beautiful dirt road from the Calicali Highway via the small village of Yungilla.It is about 1 hour to reach the trailhead. Primarily the trail is fairly level with a few gradual descents and ascents and many open areas which provide spectacular views of of the surrounding volcanoes, Pichincha and Cotacachi. After about an hour the Refugio house is reached, which is an old farmhouse which has been recently restored to accommodate 8 people comfortably. It overlooks a lush meadow with a creek and orchids hanging from the trees. With prior arrangements you can spend the night here. Leaving the Refugio the trail gradually climbs to a higher elevation passing through an area of thick bamboo and into beautiful primary forest. It is very likely that you will encounter some rare higher elevation birds such as........Chestnut-crowned and Giant Antpitta, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Beautiful Jay and the gorgeous Mountain Tanagers. After about another hour of hiking you will reach Santa Lucia's 12 meter high birding tower at an elevation of 2500 meters. From the top, if the clouds havn't rolled in there are panoramic views of the volcanoes. This is a good place to have lunch and if you are very lucky you might spot a Spectacled Bear. The trail from here to Santa Lucia is mostly downhill, passing through thick primary forest for about 2 kilometers, the trees thickly bearing bromeliads, epyphytes and orchids. The little Tapaculo with loud voices will scream at you as you pass by, they are always almost impossible to see. You will pass Pancho's House, where one of the local Campesino's used to live and tend to his cattle. Now the grazing grass has almost disappeared and returned to the natural state. Further down the trail the forest opens out into more pasture but native trees have been planted to avoid errosion and provide shade. Soon you will reach another farmhouse which was the home of Eduardo and Rosario Tapia who are now running the Santa Lucia Lodge which is about another 45 minute walk along a high ridge which drops off steeply to the right with both primary and secondary forest and a few small pastures on your left. The lodge will be a welcome sight after this hike for hot showers and a good meal.

Approx. Time: 6-8 hours

Distance: 10 km.

Elevation Gain: 2,600

Elevation Loss: 1,920

Yumbo – Pre-Inca Trail

The Pre –Inca Trail which is an ancient trail used by the Yumbo people from the years 1500 B.C. to 500 A.C. These people lived in this area for this period of time and used this trail to travel from Quito to Nanegal in order to trade things like salt and coca with the Incas.

To reach the trail from the Lodge take the steep path down along the side of the organic garden and many steps past a pasture on your left. You will enter a wooded area and the intersection of the trail to the sugar plantation. Continue down about 1 more kilometer through primary forest to the Banana Plantation, and then enter another wooded are into a steep descent that leads to the Umachaca River. Here you will intersect the Pre-Inca Trail on the north side of the river .If you are in the mood for a cool swim, walk upstream and cross the river via a wooden bridge following the path to the Santa Rosa River. It is possible to walk upstream for about 100 meters to reach a wonderful waterfall which cascades into a crystal clear pool for swimming. Also there is a space to walk behind the waterfall to take pictures. This is a very good place to cool off and have lunch.

After lunch we will back track and continue down the main trail towards Maquipucuna.

The trail ascends steeply before leveling off and crossing the boundary of the Santa Lucia Reserve and starting downhill. This is a beautiful area of pristine primary forest passing by two more waterfalls and crossing small creeks cascading to the river below. The forest is thick with many different species of trees and an area of gorgeous tree ferns ( helechos gigantes ). Much of the trail is in the form of a deep trench called a “culunco “ which was made by the Yumbo people. In places the sides rise to 4 meters. Along this trail it is quite possible to encounter Wild Pigs or maybe the elusive Puma.

Finally, after about 2 kilometers the trail opens out into a lush green meadow with fantastic views of the river below. For birders this is a place to spot a White-throated Crake or a Torrent Duck on the river. After crossing the meadow you will eventually reach the main road to the Maquipucuna Reserve for maybe dinner and an overnight stay, or travel on to Quito.

Approx. Time: 5-6 hours

Distance: 6 km.

Elevation Gain: 1,920

Elevation Loss: 1,300

Self-Guided Trail

45 mins- 1.5 hours

An educational trail divided into 15 points of interest, which are clearly marked along the trail and are accompanied by a brochure explaining each point. Highlights include the orchidarium, a giant strangler fig tree, and an abundance of epiphytes and bromeliads and the very popular giant forest swing.

Take the main trail leading out from the back of the lodge until you reach the sign directing you to the orchidarium, to the right. This leads through the orchidarium and intersects the self-guided trail, here go right . If you wish to try the giant forest swing you will soon see the sign further down on your right. Continue on the main trail through mostly wooded terrain downhill until you cross a fast flowing creek, then you will climb up onto a ridge and pass the intersection to the Cascade Trail. Follow the trail past a pasture with fantastic views, and eventually after climbing some steps you will reach the greenhouse and the football field and then back to the lodge.

Sugar-Cane Plantation Trail

30 mins-1 hour

This trail is reached by first following the directions to the Yumbo- Pre- Inca Trail, past the organic garden and pasture down the steps until you reach the sign at the intersection where you will fork left. From here it is a mostly downhill forested walk to the sugar-cane plantation, about 1 mile roundtrip.

This plantation is an exact replica of an old sugar production factory, and if you visit at the right time you can observe the making of pure natural organic sugar, which is used in the lodge.