Driving the most spectacular roads of Ecuador

In the embrace of the equator, Ecuador weaves a spellbinding mosaic of routes, each more awe-inspiring than the last. The Avenue of the Volcanoes beckons as it charts the formidable spine of the Andes, unveiling snow-clad colossi with each twist and turn.

Amid these titanic peaks, roads like the ones to Refugio José Rivas and Refugio Edward Whymper ascend to dizzying heights, challenging adventurers with their sheer elevations and rewarding with unparalleled panoramas.

For those whose hearts beat to the rhythm of dense forests and cascading waterfalls, the Troncal Amazónica offers a plunge into the Amazon Basin, echoing with nature's untold tales. And as the hinterland gives way to the coast, the Ruta del Spondylus traces the Pacific's edge, with its cerulean waves and stories sung by sunlit towns.

In Ecuador, roads are more than mere stretches of asphalt — they're gateways to a country's soul, each a testament to its diverse splendors. Strap in and embark on an odyssey where history, nature, and endless horizons converge on the horizon.

Refugio José Rivas is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 4.639m (15,219ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Pichincha and Cotopaxi provinces of Ecuador. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Located in the Napo Province of Ecuador, Papallacta is the highest town in the country, situated at an elevation of 3,300m (10,827ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth.

Tres Cruces is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.161m (13,651ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Azuay, Ecuador. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Refugio Edward Whymper is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 4.855m (15,928ft) above the sea level located in Chimborazo, a province in the central Ecuadorian Andes. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

The challenging Pan-American Highway is one of the biggest adventures in the world. It’s a network of roads covering almost 30,000 kilometres (19,000 mi) from North America to South America. It’s said to be the longest road on Earth.

Cerro Atacazo is a stratovolcano at an elevation of 4.155m (13,631ft) above the sea level located in Pichincha province, in north-central Ecuador. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

La Virgen pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.071m (13,356ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Pichincha and Napo Provinces, in north-central Ecuador.

Located in the Ecuadorian Andes, Quilotoa Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.914m (12,841ft) above the sea level.

Mirador Via Principal Parque Nacional Cajas is a high mountain overlook at an elevation of 3.807m (12,490ft) above the sea level, located in southern Ecuador’s Andes mountains.

Laguna de Cuicocha is a crater lake at an elevation of 3.133m (10,278ft) above the sea level located in the Cordillera Occidental of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Laguna Llaviucu is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.168m (10,393ft) above the sea level, located in southern Ecuador’s Andes mountains.

Volcan Corazon is an ancient and extinct volcano located in the Pichincha province of Ecuador. A gravel road leads halfway up the mountain, ending at 4.306m (14,127ft) above the sea level. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Volcan Pasochoa is an extinct volcano at an elevation of 3.234m (10,610ft) above the sea level located in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Refugio Chiles (Ángel Cerón) is an abandoned high mountain refuge at an elevation of 4.142m (13,589ft) above the sea level, located in the Carchi province.of Ecuador.

Alto de Salinas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.344m (14,251ft) above the sea level, located in Bolívar province, in central Ecuador. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Refugio Volcán Guagua Pichincha is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 4.557m (14,950ft) above the sea level, located in Pichincha province, in the country of Ecuador. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Located on the northwestern coast of South America, bordered by Peru to the south and east, Colombia to the north and by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Ecuador is one of the smaller countries in South America. Roughly the size of the state of Colorado, geography of Ecuador is quite diverse for a country and encompasses a wide range of natural formations and climates from the desert-like southern coast to the snowcapped peaks of the Andes mountain range to the plains of the Amazon Basin. The equator runs through the northern portion of the country.

Alto de Pasa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.123m (13,526ft) above the sea level, located in Tungurahua province, in Ecuador.

Abra El Arenal is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.407m (14,458ft) above the sea level, on the boundary of Guaranda and San Juan, in Chimborazo Province of central Ecuador. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Loma de las Antenas is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.218m (13,838ft) above the sea level located in Pichincha province, in north-central Ecuador. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Abra de Zamora is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.802m (9,192ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Zamora-Chinchipe and Loja provinces, in southern Ecuador.

Spondylus Route is a picturesque coastal route located in Ecuador. The road is fully paved, making it accessible for all kinds of travelers.

Troncal Amazónica is the easternmost major road in Ecuador. It's a scenic route that stretches almost the entire length of the country.

Cascada Milagrosa is a high mountain waterfall at an elevation of 3,806m (12,486ft) above sea level, located in the Napo Province of Ecuador.