Cotopaxi / Chimborazo · Ecuador
Avenue of the Volcanoes
E35Quito to Riobamba
Named by Humboldt in 1802, the 200 km Inter-Andean corridor between Quito and Riobamba is flanked by unbroken chains of snow-capped volcanoes, more major peaks from one road than almost anywhere on earth.
Heading south from Quito the E35 descends into the open valley framing the cone of Cotopaxi, passing Latacunga (base for the Quilotoa loop), Ambato and the flanks of Chimborazo into Riobamba. Paved and well-signed; the challenge is the altitude, between 2,500 and 3,800 m the whole way, not the road.
Scenery
Best seasons
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Avenue of the Volcanoes on the map113.0 mi · point to point
Navigate to the start: Apple Maps · Google Maps
Character
Higher than 9 in 10 roads in the catalogue.
Corners
busiest around mile 43Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%2,515.5 – 3,605 mPoints of interest1 stop
- Mirador PanecilloViewpointat the start
Hazards
- High altitude (2,500-3,800 m throughout)
- Active volcanoes nearby
- Afternoon cloud reducing summit views
- Fog on the passes
Sources
“Towering volcanic peaks rise above the patchwork of green and gold farmland below.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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