From misty ridges to sunlit shores, Coastal Andes: Hiking Ecuador's Cloud Forest to the Pacific Rim is a transformative journey through one of the most diverse ecological corridors on Earth. Written in a vivid, first-person narrative, this immersive guide traces a rare vertical pilgrimage-from the breath of the Andes' high cloud forests down through tropical valleys, banana groves, and cacao fields, all the way to the roar of the Pacific Ocean.Through each step of this 300-kilometer trek, the author invites you to see Ecuador not as a map of landscapes, but as a living symphony of water, wind, and green. From the moss-draped trails of Mindo and the rhythmic heartbeats of Afro-Ecuadorian villages, to the mangrove sanctuaries of Machalilla and the wide-open calm of Bahía de Caráquez, this book captures the soul of a country that unites altitude and tide in one continuous breath.More than a hiking account, Coastal Andes is a meditation on connection-between mountain and sea, between solitude and song. It explores how ecosystems, communities, and spiritual reflection merge on a single trail. Along the way, the author meets coffee growers, fishermen, conservation volunteers, and children whose laughter bridges the mountains to the coast. Each encounter adds a voice to the land's enduring conversation.Richly detailed and deeply reflective, this book blends travel writing, environmental insight, and cultural storytelling into a narrative that celebrates Ecuador's living geography. It's both a guide for those planning their own adventure and an invitation to anyone seeking renewal in the wild rhythm of the Earth.Whether you're a hiker, naturalist, or dreamer drawn to paths less traveled, Coastal Andes will carry you through mist and sunlight, reminding you that every trail is a meeting place between the soul and the world that shapes it.