Laguna de Colta
A reed-fringed highland lake with a roughly 5 km trail around its shore; on clear days distant volcanoes are mirrored on the water, and Puruhá Indigenous villages surround it.
Colta Lake sits at about 3,300 m. Its shores are lined with large stands of cattail reeds, which locals use to weave mats and small boats, and water birds are common on the lake. You can stroll or cycle the trail around the lake, and the light is best in the late afternoon. Nearby are the Balbanera church and the town of Colta, and some villages offer community tourism. It is about 20 km from Riobamba and can be reached by bus heading toward Guamote.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Balbanera Church
- Mercado La Merced
- Riobamba Historic Center & Parque Maldonado
- Museo de Arte Religioso de la Concepción
- Riobamba Cathedral
- Guano
- Guamote Thursday Market
- Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve