Snaking outward from the mountain’s flanks are deep canyons of cinder slopes and snowmelt creeks. The furrows tumble onto rock-strewn grassland punctuated by black lava domes and igneous escarpments, inhabited by wild horses, llamas, foxes, and pumas. A circuit trek around the volcano is the best way to see it all, including parts unknown to most visitors of this national park.

The circuit has many possible variations among the spiderweb of roads and livestock trails that encircle the mountain. The route mapped here utilizes mostly dirt roads, with some connecting footpaths here and there. A portion parallels an irrigation canal that snakes along the northeast slopes.

As mapped, the trek starts and finishes in the town of Mulalo, but a reasonable abbreviation would be to trek only between Mulalo and either the west park entrance or Laguna Limpiopungo. This cuts out a lot of busy road walking without sacrificing much in scenery.

In the steep-sided valleys south and east of the mountain, you aren’t likely to see other people for long stretches at a time, walking along remote ranch roads. The north side gets most of the traffic. This is where hikers come to visit Laguna Limpiopungo, Refugio Jose Rivas, established campgrounds, and various trails on Cotopaxi and Volcán Rumiñahui. Therefore, completing the full circuit earns a nice blend of solitude on the south flanks and company on the north flanks.

The route as mapped includes a side trip to Refugio Jose Rivas high on the mountain, nearly at the snow line. This is, of course, optional, but as a staple destination for many visitors to Cotopaxi, the climb up the volcano is certainly worthwhile, and you can stay the night. To save time, you can catch a ride up the road then hike only the standard trail from the parking lot to the Refugio.

On the rest of the circuit, you will need to be self-sufficient with camping gear and other supplies. Water sources are generally plentiful, but you may pass through long dry stretches. Within national park boundaries, camping is allowed only in designated areas. When hiking on the east and north side of the mountain you will be inside the park, and camping is scarce on the east side, so plan your itinerary accordingly. If you cannot make the distance in between campgrounds in one day, you may have to swing your circuit route wider, in order to exit the park and find camping or a guesthouse in a nearby town.

The park boundary does not extend all the way to the circuit route on the south side, so camping is at large. You will be traveling a mix of public and private roads, so be extra respectful of property and be careful about where you spend the night. Don’t intrude on anyone’s space. If you pass through any closed gates, be sure to close them behind you so livestock don’t escape. If you encounter people, be polite and ask permission to cross their property.

Sources: https://www.walkopedia.net/walks/display-walk.asp?WalkID=2327 https://www.thehikinglife.com/2010/10/cotopaxi-circuit-ecuador-2004/