Patate: Traditions, Páramo and Trails

Patate offers two different ways to explore: in the town, religious traditions surrounding the image of Señor del Terremoto take centre stage; across the canton, the Páramo, lagoons and a wide range of activities reveal other facets. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Patate, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your stay—culture, landscapes and nature watching, or outdoor activities.

Culture surrounding the image

Various stories are told about the appearance of the image of Señor del Terremoto. The image is located on the main altar of the Basílica del Señor del Terremoto. For travellers interested in religious traditions, this brings together a specific place and the different stories surrounding the image. The image, main altar and storytelling tradition thus form a cohesive cultural theme to consider when planning your trip.

Páramo, panoramas and a water reserve

In Patate canton, Laguna de Sudahua lies in the Páramo of El Sucre parish at an elevation of 3,171 m and offers panoramic views of the Avenue of the Volcanoes. This connects a particular landscape with views of the volcanic avenue. The Lagunas de San Borja offer another perspective and are considered an important water reserve for the region. While Sudahua is described in terms of its Páramo, elevation and panorama, San Borja represents the importance of water to the region. Those who want to consider nature not only as a view but also in terms of its regional role will find two different themes here.

Activities and trails in the canton

In Patate canton, the Ruta Kuripishku is associated with a wide range of activities: trekking, camping, birdwatching, horseback riding, photography, plant observation, cultural exchange, food tastings, cycling and sport fishing. The range spans outdoor activities, observation, and cultural and culinary experiences. You can consider whether you want your holiday to centre on active pursuits, nature watching, or culture and food.

Hiking trails in Patate include Mundug, Platupamba, Manteles, Platuquiral–La Carbonería, El Triunfo, Río Muyo–Calzoncillo and Plata; the old road to Vizcaya is also listed. While the Ruta Kuripishku offers a broad range of activities, these named trails provide specific route names for further planning. You can weigh these interests separately rather than making a single excursion the measure of your entire stay.

Getting your bearings in La Matriz

Parque Infantil is in La Matriz, Patate, at the entrance to the canton, behind the municipal Coliseum. The entrance to the canton and the Coliseum are two specific landmarks that help you locate it in Patate.

Arepas and grape chicha

The canton’s food culture is also one of its defining themes. Many Patate residents continue to make and sell arepas in old wood-fired ovens built from Cangagua and bricks. Arepas and grape chicha are together considered a gastronomic attraction unique throughout Ecuador. This tradition combines a specific method of preparation with the sale of arepas, giving local food culture a distinctive place alongside the landscape and activities.

Choose a holiday rental to suit your travel interests

When looking for a holiday rental in Patate, your preferred travel focus can help guide your choice: would you like your stay to centre mainly on religious traditions, landscapes and nature watching, activities, or food culture?

Discover more destinations: Salasaca, Río Negro, Baños, Ambato, Pillaro.

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