The old railway line, out of Quito towards El Quinche, has been turned into a wonderful bicycling, running and walking route, or "
Ruta Ecológica". Although 35 km is accessible, it is the principal 20 km sector, called El Chaquinan, which is the most popular. This route starts in Cumbaya, runs behind Tumbaco, goes down and up a deep and vertical gorge across the Rio Chiche, and arrives at Puembo, near Club Arrayanes. Chaquinan is a combination of two words from Ecuador's principal indigenous language, Quichwa: "
Chaqui" means foot and "
nan" means way or route. This sector of the railway route early in the last century was previously called "
El Murciélago" - the bat - due I suppose to the tunnels along the way. The tunnels remain and are a challenge for the users of El Chaquinan. Most of the tunnels are short enough not to be a hazard but one in particular, which is maybe 300 m long with a big bend in the middle, demands the use of bicycle lights. John often uses El Chaquinan as a training ride on his bicycle and, as a family, we also often walk on some part of it, usually the Puembo end, where the tunnels are, and where the walk down to the bottom of the gorge is a truly spectacular experience.
These are some photos from our walk this Sunday morning, from the Rio Chiche, up to Puembo, and back. Robbie and Maia do really quite well on this walk. It is often hot and windless, and steep enough for it to be a surprise that trains ever made it along there. For Toby Thomas the walk is something of a trial, because he needs to be on the lead all the time on the actual pathway, so not to tip over the cyclists who are hurtling along.
A pause on the way up to the tunnels.
Just inside the long tunnel.
At the bottom of the gorge, with the old railway bridge behind, Toby is the bravest and was quickly into the racing water of the Rio Chiche. The river used to flood frequently but now the several properties which are built down at the bottom, including a very nice restaurant, must have confidence that the floods will be no more.
Robbie - happiest whenever there is water and dirt in which to play!
These are some photos from our walk this Sunday morning, from the Rio Chiche, up to Puembo, and back. Robbie and Maia do really quite well on this walk. It is often hot and windless, and steep enough for it to be a surprise that trains ever made it along there. For Toby Thomas the walk is something of a trial, because he needs to be on the lead all the time on the actual pathway, so not to tip over the cyclists who are hurtling along.
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