🇪🇨 Quito’s Pichincha: The World’s Most Accessible 4,700m Volcano Hik

Move over, Vancouver and Hong Kong—Quito just stole my heart as the ultimate mountain-meets-metropolis dream! With eternal spring temps (10-20°C) and a literal volcano in its backyard, here’s why it’s a hiker’s paradise: 🌋 Pichincha Volcano Summit (4,696m) 🚠 Effort-to-reward ratio: Unbeatable! 1️⃣ TelefériQo cable car: $9 to 4,050m (instant city panoramas!). 2️⃣ Hike up: First 300m: Gentle slope through alien-like páramo vegetation (think: neon moss, giant lupines). Next 50m: Scrambly but fun rock-hopping. Final 150m: Steep sand slog (gritty but grippy). Summit push: Hand-and-foot climb (well-marked holds). 3️⃣ Total: 10km round-trip, ~5 hours. ✨ Summit Magic Clouds parting to reveal Quito glittering below. Mystery birds: Two fearless locals someone feeds at 4,700m (!). 💡 Pro Tips Altitude prep: Coca tea + slow pacing. Layer up: Summit winds are brutal. Best light: Start early for cloud-free views. #Hiking #Quito #VolcanoAdventures