RouteBaños

Ruta de las Cascadas: Ecuador's Greatest Downhill Ride

The Ruta de las Cascadas — 17 km of downhill cycling from Baños to Puyo through the Pastaza canyon — is Ecuador's most popular outdoor activity; the downhill through seven waterfalls, the canyon scenery, and the ecological transition make it an extraordinary ride

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1
Bike rental and route start
Dozens of bike rental shops in Baños provide bikes and helmets for the Ruta de las Cascadas; the route starts at the Baños Bridge and descends almost continuously for 17 km to the Agoyán Dam, after which a bus (chiva) returns drivers to Baños with the bikes
2
First waterfall: Agoyán
Agoyán Falls — the first on the route, just outside Baños — has been partially diverted for the hydroelectric plant below; the plant itself and the dam are an interesting industrial element in the natural landscape; the remaining waterfall is still impressive
3
Manto de la Novia waterfall
Manto de la Novia (Veil of the Bride) - a narrow, tall waterfall visible from the road - is accessible by cable car from the road; the crossing to the waterfall in the cable car gondola, with the canyon below, is one of the most memorable moments of the route
4
Pailón del Diablo Stop
The highlight of the route - the Pailón del Diablo stop at Río Verde - involves locking the bike, crossing the footbridge and descending to the waterfall viewing platforms; the 30-minute detour from the bike path is important
5
Canyon Ecology While Biking
Cycling through the ecological transition is an ideal way to observe the changing forest - the Andean cloud forest near Baños, the transitional forest in the middle of the road and the increasingly humid tropical forest near the bottom represent three different ecosystems experienced in a single descent
6
Bike culture in Baños
Baños has developed a complete cycling culture — beyond the Ruta de las Cascadas, there are mountain bike trails above the city, road cycling on the Baños-Ambato route and local events that include cycling; the city's adventure sports culture makes cycling feel natural