Ecuador is a South American country that lies directly on the Equator. Today, we're reporting the 5 most beautiful motorcycle routes and highlights to discover by bike in Ecuador.

If you’re planning to ride Ecuador, you may be thinking of heading down the Pan American Highway – like most travelers do. However, while the Ecuadorian leg of the Panamericana is certainly on the scenic side, Ecuador boasts much more than its main highway connecting the Northern part of the country with the Peruvian borders.

To really explore Ecuador and get off the beaten path, ride these five most scenic motorcycle roads in Ecuador: you’ll see the Andes Mountains in all their glory, experience the Amazon rainforest, and kick back on the Pacific Coast. Each of these rides are paved routes offering a jaw-dropping number of twists and curves, incredible views, and plenty of adventure.

1. Quito – Mindo Valley

• Distance: ca 98 km
• Ride duration: 2 hours
• Scenic stops: Equator Museum
  

This is a short yet scenic motorcycle ride from the country’s capital city Quito, perfect for getting used to Ecuadorian traffic and to get a taste of what the mountain roads are like here. You’ll start off in Quito and soon find yourself on a well-maintained, busy road leading out of the city. By kilometer twenty-four, you’ll start seeing the “Mitad del Mundo” (“Middle of the World”) signs – follow them to visit the official line of the equator and the indigenous museum of astronomy and arts.
Past the equatorial line, the road will narrow and quiet down. As you lean into the generous curves and twists, you’ll soon begin to notice a change in the air and the scenery: you’ll be entering the cloud forest, and area where the high-altitude of the Andes gives way to lush greenery and hot, humid tropical temperatures. Mindo Valley is nothing short of a tropical paradise – stay there for the night and, if you love chocolate, take the local cacao tour to see chocolate being made, from bean to bar.

2. Volcano Chimborazo Loop: Ambato – Guaranda – Banos de Agua Santa

• Distance: ca. 345 km
• Ride duration: 7 – 8 hours
• Scenic Stops: Volcano Chimborazo viewpoint, Salinas de Agua Santa, Banos canyon
  

The mountains are calling! This route is the best motorcycle road in Ecuador if you want to see the full might of the Andes Mountains. As you leave Ambato, the road will take you around the Volcano Chimborazo, Ecuador’s tallest mountain – and, curiously, the one that is closest to the sun due the equatorial bulge it sits on. Volcano Chimborazo is a sight to behold, and the road around it is incredibly scenic with wild vicunas and llamas grazing freely. But be sure to layer up: the temperatures get cold at over 4 km altitude, so put on your thermals!

This route is best completed over two days as there are multiple scenic stops along the way. If you have the time, include the Laguna Quilotoa stop in your itinerary. The small village of Salinas de Guaranda is also worth a visit: you can stay the night there and take the tour to the indigenous salt mines or sample the local cheese the next day.

Once you turn westward, you’ll be leaving Volcano Chimborazo behind and slowly descending into Banos de Agua Santa, Ecuador’s gateway into the Amazon. Banos is famous for its lush green mountain scenery and adventure spots – if you’re into tubing, rafting, or ziplining, this is the place to be!

3. Riobamba – Macas via Sangay National Park

• Distance: ca. 150 km
• Ride duration: 3,5-4,5 hours
• Scenic stops: Atillo Lakes, Upano River Bridge
  

The Riobamba – Macas route isn’t well known among motorcycle travelers, but the countless twists and turns and wild mountain scenery here is simply out of this world. You will be riding down the Western slopes of the Andes admiring landscapes that seem like they’ve been taken straight out of the Jurassic Park movies, pass the stunning Atillo Lakes that resemble Norwegian fjords, and finally, reach the River Upano and catch a glimpse of Volcano Sangay. Sangay is one of Ecuador’s active volcanoes, and you may see a plume of smoke rising from its top if the day is clear.

When you complete the ride, don’t stay in Macas – it’s a busy, noisy town. Instead, cross the River Upano bridge and stop at one of the local jungle lodges for a quiet night of rainforest and river sounds.

4. Cuenca – Macas

• Distance: ca. 250km
• Ride duration: 5-6 hours
• Scenic stops: Cuenca, Macas
  

Another scenic route to Macas, this road closely follows canyons and rivers revealing wild green country with just a few towns and villages scattered in between. Be sure to fill up you tank in Cuenca – fuel stations on this route are few and far between.
This is an excellent day’s ride on a narrow, twisty mountain road slowly descending from high altitude into the vast green expanse of the Amazon rainforest.

5. Pedernales – Puerto Lopez

• Distance: ca. 270 km
• Ride duration: 4-5 hours
• Scenic stops: Bahia de Caraquez, Puerto Cayo
  

No journey in Ecuador would be complete without exploring its famous Ruta del Sol (Road of the Sun), a quiet coastal road meandering along the Pacific Ocean. This is a sunny, easy ride along the coast, where highlights include small fishermen’s villages (you must stop for lunch and try the local ceviche, a marinated seafood dish).
Once you reach Puerto Lopez, stay there for the night and take a whale-watching tour: the boats go out daily, and seeing the magnificent sea giants frolicking in the ocean is an unforgettable experience.

"Eglé Gerulaityté is a motorcycle journalist and author. She works for calimoto's partner MOTOURISMO, the world's largest booking portal and online travel agency for motorcycle tours, training, and shipping. There you'll find many travel options quickly and easily, tours through Ecuador, for example…"