Swinging at the End of the World
La casa del Arbol and the beautiful viewpoints of Baños
I was in Ecuador with Fernanda. We mainly stayed in Riobamba, the city where her family lives. From there, we travelled to other cities and parts of the country. We visited Quito and spent three days in the Baños. On the first day, we visited the city, and on the second, we biked the Ruta de las Cascadas.
Baños de Agua Santa, nestled in the lush foothills of the Andes, is a gateway to awe-inspiring landscapes. The town is surrounded by mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and the Tungurahua Volcano. Its viewpoints ("miradores") offer incredible perspectives of this dramatic scenery, each with unique charm. On the last day, we decided to visit one of the many miradores, La Casa del Arbol.
Before talking about the place we visited I want to list the other Baños’ viewpoints, because of time, we were able to visit only La Casa del Arbol, but there are many other beautiful options.
Mirador de la Virgen (The Virgin's Viewpoint)
Located close to the town centre, this viewpoint requires climbing a steep staircase with over 600 steps, known as the "Stairs of the Virgin." At the top, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views of Baños, the surrounding valleys, and the imposing Tungurahua Volcano. The statue of the Virgin of Holy Water believed to protect the town, is a key feature.
Mirador de la Cruz Bellavista
A cross marks this viewpoint, which provides a bird's-eye view of Baños and the surrounding mountains. This is a favourite spot for hikers and those looking to appreciate the town’s layout from above. The journey up involves a bit of effort, but the views make it worthwhile.
Mirador de Runtún
Perched high above Baños, this viewpoint provides a serene, picturesque experience. It’s also the location of Luna Runtún, a luxury spa and resort, offering not only stunning views but also an opportunity to relax in thermal baths while soaking in the scenery.
Mirador del Cielo (Sky Viewpoint)
This newer viewpoint offers a unique perspective over Baños, with swings, hammocks, and viewing platforms for relaxation and photos. It’s a great place for those who want to blend a little adventure with sightseeing.
This is a short list, you can find even more miradores in the city. With Fernanda we decided to go to La Casa del Arbol randomly, that morning we found quickly a local bus directed there and we took it. Located about 10 kilometres from Baños, it is accessible also by car, taxi, or a challenging but rewarding hike.
La Casa del Árbol, perched high in the Andean mountains, is a renowned spot offering breathtaking views and a dash of adrenaline. Originally a seismic monitoring station, it has since become a popular destination for travellers seeking both scenic beauty and a bit of thrill.
The highlight of La Casa del Árbol is its iconic "Swing at the End of the World." Suspended from a simple treehouse, this swing dangles over a steep mountain slope, creating the illusion of flying into the abyss. Riders are not secured, adding a sense of daring adventure. On clear days, the swing offers unparalleled views of the Tungurahua Volcano, an active stratovolcano whose occasional eruptions lend drama to the already stunning landscape.
La Casa del Árbol is more than just the swing; it’s a tranquil spot to soak in nature. You can explore the area around the treehouse, enjoy the peaceful gardens, and marvel at the panoramic views of the valley and mountains. There's also a zipline and other smaller swings, making it a great destination for families and adventure enthusiasts alike.
Unfortunately, we were there on a cloudy day, it also rained lately on our way back to Riobanba. This didn’t impact my experience there, I liked the place, the view was beautiful, even if you don’t have a view of the city, and the clouds gave the pictures a nice atmosphere. We also had coffee with empanadas at the bar near the "Swing at the End of the World" enjoying the landscape. We took the local bus back to the city, had lunch, collected our backpacks at the hostel, and took the afternoon bus back to Riobamba.
I didn’t like the “amusement park vibe” that Baños has. All these miradores, most of them appeared with the increment of tourism, the loud organised tours by Chivas, motorbikes or quads that you can rent are a bit too much for me, but there is still a lot of nature to explore. I suggest visiting it if you travel to Ecuador, in general, I think it is a beautiful destination.
See you soon,
Flavio
The swing looks awesome, Flavio!! Best vista photos!!
My fear of heights had my toes curling, seeing you guys swinging out over nothing.