Paute combines riverside walks with a strong craft tradition and festive culture. At Parque Lineal del Río Paute, you can walk and hike along the banks of two rivers; baskets, Panama hats made from toquilla straw, wooden spoons, and carved furniture have been made in the canton for more than a hundred years. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding first whether you want to focus on riverbanks, weekend activities, or handicrafts.

Riverbanks and Paths in Paute

Parque Lineal del Río Paute has 3.5 kilometers of green space. There, you can walk or hike along the banks of the Río Paute and the Río Cutilcay. This means that a stay in the park can focus on either of two rivers, not just the Río Paute. Parque Lineal La Orilla runs along the Río Paute from the bus station, at the level of the suspension bridge, to Calle Antonio Tapia. These named endpoints provide a specific reference for the riverside area. This lets you combine time by the water with a walk or hike without losing sight of the two rivers.

Outdoor Weekend Activities

Adventure sports, including paragliding and climbing, take place on weekends at Cerro Cabeza de Perro and in Campanahuayco, both in Paute's canton center. Both locations can be reached on foot or by car. Unlike the walking and hiking options along the river, these activities are specifically associated with weekends. So, if sports are an important reason for your trip, the day of the week becomes a practical factor when planning. The locations and activities mentioned offer a different focus from the riverside paths.

Woodwork and Handicrafts

A notable example is the wooden spoon in the Tutucán sector in Paute's canton center. It is 20.06 meters long and 5.06 meters wide; the bowl is 1.51 meters wide. Its length is therefore almost four times its overall width, while the bowl is considerably narrower. Comparing the measurements makes the spoon's dimensions easy to picture. It is a specific example of woodwork and can be distinguished from the broader craft tradition found across the canton.

Baskets, Panama hats made from toquilla straw, wooden spoons, and carved wooden furniture have been made in Paute Canton for more than a hundred years and sold both within and outside the canton. The selection thus includes a range of materials and items: woven baskets, hats, and wooden crafts. While the wooden spoon in Tutucán is a single, precisely located example, the craft tradition encompasses a wider variety of goods from across the canton. For a trip focused on culture, you can consider both a specific object and the diverse range of handicrafts.

Clay pots are sold at the entrance to Paute; sales take place at Mercado 26 de Febrero on Wednesdays and Sundays. If you plan to visit the market for this, confirm locally before your trip that they will be available for sale. This makes shopping a specific part of your plans while keeping the stated days in mind.

Carnival and Trip Planning

Paute's Carnival features dance groups and traditional sweets prepared at this time of year. Handicrafts such as reed baskets are also part of the celebration; families buy them at the markets. Festive culture, seasonal sweets, and crafts come together here, creating a different focus from a stay devoted mainly to the riverside paths. If you want to plan your trip around Carnival, check in advance when it takes place.

The timing varies: adventure sports are mentioned for weekends, clay pots are sold at Mercado 26 de Febrero on Wednesdays and Sundays, and you should check the date of Carnival in advance. These differences can help you choose travel dates that suit your focus before looking for a hotel in Paute. For riverside walks and hikes, the two banks at Parque Lineal del Río Paute are the main attraction.

Discover more destinations: San Fernando, Santa Isabel, Cuenca, Baños, Gualaceo, San Agustín, Chordeleg.

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