Top Outdoor Activities in Quito

Kartódromo Dos Hemisferios

Fourteen kilometres to the northwest of Quito, there is the region's only go-kart racetrack. This sporting venue is open to the public on weekends when there are races and competitions. When there are no races running, you may watch the drivers practicing for free. Now and then there are karting championships which are usually well attended by the public.

County Club - Liga Deportiva Universitaria

Few kilometres from Quito is the beautiful town of San Antonio de Pichincha, home of the Country Club de la Liga Deportiva Universitaria. This is the favourite football club of most people from Quito, and it extends a warm welcome to both home and away fans that visit its luxury sports facilities. The football pitches of this club are not only used to impart lessons to beginners but are also the weekly training ground for the amateur leagues that the team sponsors. This beautiful sports complex also has large swimming pools, sauna, Turkish bath and plenty of green spaces.

Palacio de Deportes La Vicentina

La Vicentina is one of the most complete sports complexes in Quito, close to Coliseo Rumiñahuy and the Escuela Politécnica Nacional. It is the meeting place of the Ecuadorian sports elite and the "seedbed of champions," as it is known, comprises a coliseum for various competitions, cycle track, running track, and recreation areas. Regularly, amateur athletes can apply for various courses and seminars organized by the administration of the Palacio, which are taught by recognized national athletes.

Cabalgata Carolina

For those wishing to go horse-riding in the middle of the city, Parque La Carolina is the place. In this large green area next to Avenida Amazonas, you can hire beautiful horses for a trot around the park. They aren't race-horses, but they are good-tempered animals, typical of the Andes.

Agrupación Nuevos Horizontes

Ecuador is a country that possesses a still undetermined quantity of green areas and open spaces to explore. The so-called ¨Hoya de Quito¨ (Quito Valley) in particular, has many mountain peaks that are a great attraction for mountain-climbers and trekkers. The objective of Nuevos Horizontes is to promote mountain trekking and excursions for locals and foreigners alike, with the aim of promoting mountain sports and to give people the opportunity to explore the richness of the beautiful landscapes often found in Ecuador. Llaló, Pichincha, Atacazo and Guagua Pichincha, are just some of the mountain areas you can get to know if you go to Nuevos Horizontes.

Andes Adrenaline Adventures

Not many kilometres separate Quito from the valleys which surround it. Spanning one of these, an imposing bridge joins the two sides of a deep mountain gorge formed by the River Chiche. This place is a favourite spot for lovers of dangerous sports. You can do bungee jumping here, and groups are normally arranged by travel agencies but if you go early in the morning on weekends, you can get a place. A team made up by foreign experts will guide you and provide you with assistance. The cost is high but they provide total security.

TeleferiQo

TeleferiQo(cable cars/aerial tramways) is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Quito. The cable cars allow occupants to see the vegetation of the Andean Highlands from a height of over 3600 feet. Besides enjoying the picturesque view of Quito city, visitors can watch the Antisana, Cayambe, Cotopani volcanoes on a clear day. For acrophobics there is an entertainment center at the foot of Teleferiqo including a food court, restaurants, a handicraft plaza and many other fun-filled options to select from. Tickets are very reasonable and the ride is sure to give visitors a totally different "high".