Rumiñahui has three summits, the northwestern summit (4,490 m), the northern summit (4,721 m), and the central summit (4,630 m). Of these, the central one is probably the easiest to summit. However, the final part (about 300 m) requires you to go up a very steep field of gravel and dirt which, especially because of the altitude, can be very exhausting. The rest of the hike is quite easy physically but since the track is completely unmarked and often invisible, it can be advisable to bring a GPS and a good map (e.g., openstreetmaps.org) or hire a guide (Henri is an experienced local guide +593 991102414, from $15 per person including transportation). Several trails lead up to Rumiñahui (central and norte). The most popular one starts at the Laguna de Limpiupungo (not accesible by public transportation) at about 3,900 m where you could also pitch a tent on the night before your ascent (see below.) Another trail starts in Santa Ana del Pedregal following the main road from the center of town (where the playground and the pitch is) about 400 m towards Machachi. Going through the gates of the hacienda there, you get on a road that you follow up for about 2 km where you get to a locked gate. Hikers are apparently permitted to jump across the gate. Follow the road for another 2 km where it turns into a trail (everything up to here could easily be done with just a flashlight if you want to get an early start before sunrise.) The trail (that is sometimes invisible) now goes along a fence (on your left) and ends at a cliff. Here you could get up on the cliff from the west and walk on top of it. However, if you don't want to break your neck, you might decide that this cliff is too high, and the path on top too slippery and inclined to do without additional gear. Instead you can search for the trail that takes you down into the valley where you can cross going south. The entire valley is covered by a shallow layer of water, so be prepared to get your feet wet. A small path at the southern end of the valley takes you up to the trail described in the following. Yet another trail starts in Santa Ana del Pedregal from the Hacienda del Porvenir (about 400 m from the main square on the smaller road that goes south east). Once you find your way into the hacienda somehow (they sometimes charge $3 for crossing their property) follow the twisting and turning trails through the hacienda to get to its southern end. Follow the road for about 1.4 km until you get to a trench that you cross. Follow the trench east until you get to the southern gates of the hacienda. There follow the road south where eventually you pass by some ruins (that's where the trail from the previous section joins.) A trail takes you up to a ridge which you need to pull yourself up to. Following the ridge you eventually get to a fork where the trail to the northern summit leaves. Following the other trail (which now stays at the same altitude) you eventually get to a field of dirt and rocks that you climb up to the central summit.