The Hidden Route: a rural treasure in Quito

Located northeast of the capital, this natural area invites you to connect with Quito's rural life through its culture, cuisine, landscapes, and the hospitality of its inhabitants. An ancestral path built by indigenous peoples, it offers authentic and memorable experiences.

Cloud forests, moorlands, and dry forests are part of the Hidden Route, a privileged area for its variety of microclimates and unique flora and fauna. The five rural parishes offer national and international visitors attractions such as viewpoints, museums, heritage temples, ancestral festivals, cycling routes, and traditional flavors of the area.

The parishes of the Hidden Route:

Puellaro

Gateway to the Hidden Route, known as the "Fruit Garden of Ecuador." It boasts three heritage churches and a wealth of natural and productive resources.

Perucho

Its history dates back to pre-Hispanic times. It was inhabited by the Piruchos (Piruchos) and renamed San Miguel de Perucho during the colonial period. It is notable for its ancestral heritage and traditional architecture. Furthermore, the Perucho Church is the first wooden church built in Ecuador, founded in 1542.

Chavezpamba

The youngest of the five parishes. Its name comes from the area's first inhabitant, Don Manuel Antonio Chávez. A place where Quito legends, myths, and traditions converge.

Atahualpa

Formerly called Habaspamba ("bean plain"). Renamed in 1894 to honor the last Inca of the Tahuantinsuyu. Rich in history, culture, and landscapes.

San José de Minas

Located 80 km from Quito, its name is associated with the area's quarries. In past decades, it was known for its sugarcane fields and aguardiente production.

How to get there:

Approximately an hour and a half away from downtown Quito, by public or private transportation, or by bicycle, tourists can explore more than 20 kilometers of history, rural landscapes, and Andean traditions that stand the test of time.

Source: Quito Tourism.