The Rabbit Trail: A Hike to Remember at Hacienda Zuleta

​Don’t let the name fool you—the Rabbit Trail is no easy stroll! It starts at Hacienda Zuleta and takes you up into the mountains, reaching 3,140 meters. The climb is steep, but the views? Worth it! Then comes the real challenge—the way down. The trail gets steep and slippery, making every step an adventure (or a test of balance, depending on how you see it!). 

We saw ancient earth mounds built by the Caranqui culture between 700 and 1500 CE. These truncated pyramids and circular mounds were used for ceremonial, residential, and astronomical purposes. Today, they’re covered in grass, which helps preserve them. 

Finally, we reached Condor Huasi, where we saw Andean condors up close. A French biologist who has dedicated his life to protecting these endangered birds in Ecuador gave us a deep dive into their conservation efforts. Pretty fascinating stuff! 

After the talk, we hiked a bit more than 3 km back over a mostly flat cobblestone road—a welcome change after all the climbing! After almost five hours on the trail, we were more than ready to enjoy a late (very late!) lunch.

The picture on display captures the view from the highest point of our hike (3,140m), overlooking the valley below at approximately 2,880m, where Condor Huasi is located.

Hacienda Zuleta, Zuleta, Angochagua, Province de Imbabura, Ecuador