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El Boliche

High-altitude station beside Cotopaxi National Park

1 route

Routes that ran through

Stop

Terminus (Train of the Volcanoes)

3.484 m

Altitude

Cotopaxi

Province

El Boliche station

The El Boliche station is the terminus of the Train of the Volcanoes, on the border between Cotopaxi and Pichincha, at 3,484 m above sea level, which makes it one of the highest stations in the entire network. It is located beside Cotopaxi National Park and the El Boliche National Recreation Area.

El Boliche stands out for its pine forest, its trails and its páramo air, with privileged views of the imposing Cotopaxi volcano and Rumiñahui. It was the high point of the Train of the Volcanoes, a scenic half-day journey from Quito designed to enjoy the “Avenue of the Volcanoes” described by Alexander von Humboldt.

Estación de tren de El Boliche, Ferrocarril Transandino del Ecuador
El Boliche stationEl Boliche, Cotopaxi · 3,484 m a.s.l.
Altitude3.484 m
RoutesVolcanoes
PositionTerminus (Train of the Volcanoes)
Coordinates0.6090° S, 78.5560° W

Where is El Boliche station?

El Boliche station is located in El Boliche, Cotopaxi. Coordinates: 0.6090° S, 78.5560° W.

What to see and do nearby

Points of interest a short distance from El Boliche.

El Boliche Recreation AreaPine forest with trails, lookouts and a picnic area.Next to the station
Cotopaxi VolcanoOne of the highest active volcanoes in the world (5,897 m).15 km
Rumiñahui VolcanoPeak next to Cotopaxi, visible from the station.12 km
Forest trailsPaths among the pines and páramo of the Recreation Area.In the park
Cotopaxi lookoutPanoramic spot towards the snow-capped peak on clear days.Surroundings
Andean páramoTussock grass and high-altitude flora of Cotopaxi National Park.Surroundings

Other stations on the Train of the Volcanoes

Train of the Volcanoes

El BolicheTerminal

Station facilities

The stations of the Trans-Andean Railway preserve their historic architecture, with a ticket office, waiting room and platform. Here is what you will find at this station.

Historic ticket office and ticket sales
Waiting room and restrooms
Platform for boarding the train
Space for luggage and bags
Train route and schedule information
Food and craft stalls nearby
Taxis and public transport at the exit
Heritage station — a great spot for photos

Connections from El Boliche

Train of the Volcanoes — Quito (Chimbacalle) ↔ El Boliche · service suspended. Days: Historically weekends and public holidays.

Getting there. El Boliche is linked by road to nearby towns; outside the station you will find taxis and public transport.

Plan your journey — use our route planner to see which route connects El Boliche with other stations.

Please note. Ecuador's national railway service has been suspended since 2020 (Ferrocarriles del Ecuador, FEEP, in liquidation). In 2025 two segments were restarted under municipal management: the Devil's Nose (Alausí–Sibambe) and Ibarra–Andrade Marín. The other routes, schedules and fares on this site are historical, for information and heritage purposes and subject to change. Always confirm availability before planning a trip.
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We update trenecuador.org as soon as there is news: route reopenings, schedules and fares for the segments still running, and updates on Ecuador's railway heritage. Save it and come back before planning your train trip.

Frequently asked questions

El Boliche was the terminus of the Train of the Volcanoes, the scenic half-day journey from Chimbacalle.
The El Boliche National Recreation Area, with pine forest and trails, next to Cotopaxi National Park.
No. The Train of the Volcanoes has been suspended since 2020. The recreation area can be visited by road from the Pan-American Highway.
The Train of the Volcanoes ran through this station. Check the days and prices on the schedule and fares pages.
The national service has been suspended since 2020. Only the Devil’s Nose (Alausí–Sibambe) is currently confirmed to be running. The information on this page is historical and heritage-related.

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