1. Mirador Cuernos
- Where: Shores of Lago Nordenskjöld, Chile
- Starting Point: Hotel Las Torres or Campsite Central
- End Point: Mirador Cuernos
- Time Needed: 4-5 hours.
- Distance and Type: 12 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to Hike: November to April (summer season)
- Where to Stay: Hotel Las Torres or campsite in Torres del Paine National Park
The Mirador Cuernos trail in Torres del Paine National Park offers stunning views of the iconic Cuernos del Paine peaks and the surrounding landscape. The trail starts at Hotel Las Torres or Campsite Central and winds through the park, passing through forests and open meadows. Hikers will have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, including guanacos and condors. The trail is relatively easy, but does have some steep sections. The best time to hike is during the summer season from November to April, when the weather is mild and the days are long.
2. Cerro San Cristobal
- Where: Santiago, Chile
- Starting Point: Plaza Baquedano
- End Point: Cerro San Cristobal
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 6.8 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
- When to Hike: Year-round
- Where to Stay: Accommodations can be found throughout Santiago.
Cerro San Cristobal is a hill in the center of Santiago that offers panoramic views of the city and the Andes Mountains. The hike starts at Plaza Baquedano and winds up the hill through a series of switchbacks. Along the way, hikers will pass through a forest of eucalyptus trees and see various landmarks, including the Santiago Metropolitan Park and the Virgin Mary statue at the top of the hill. The trail is well-maintained and relatively easy but does have some steep sections. The best time to hike is year-round, although the summer months from December to February are the most popular.
3. Valle del Francés
- Where: Southern part of Chilean Patagonia, Chile
- Starting Point: Campsite Italiano
- End Point: Valle del Francés
- Time Needed: 5-6 hours.
- Distance and Type: 12 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to Hike: November to April (summer season)
- Where to Stay: Campsite Italiano or other campsites in Torres del Paine National Park
Valle del Francés, or the French Valley, is a stunning valley in Torres del Paine National Park with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. The hike starts at Campsite Italiano and follows a well-marked trail through a forest and up a steep climb to the valley. Along the way, hikers will pass through a series of viewpoints offering breathtaking views of the valley and surrounding landscape. The trail is relatively difficult, with steep climbs and rocky terrain, but the views are well worth the effort. The best time to hike is during the summer season from November to April, when the weather is mild, and the days are long.
4. Cerro Santa Lucia
- Where: Santiago, Chile
- Starting Point: Entrance on Alameda Avenue
- End Point: Cerro Santa Lucia summit
- Time Needed: 1 hour.
- Distance and Type: 700 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Easy
- When to Hike: Year-round
- Where to Stay: Santiago city center, where there are plenty of accommodations to suit all budgets.
Cerro Santa Lucia is a small hill in the heart of Santiago that offers stunning views of the city skyline. The hike starts at the entrance on Alameda Avenue and follows a series of well-marked trails to the summit. Along the way, hikers will pass through beautiful gardens, fountains, and monuments, including a castle-like structure at the top. The trail is relatively easy, with well-maintained paths and staircases, making it accessible to hikers of all fitness levels. The best time to hike is year-round, as the weather in Santiago is mild and pleasant throughout the year.
5. Salto del Laja
- Where: Biobío Region, Chile
- Starting Point: Parking lot near Salto del Laja waterfall
- End Point: Salto del Laja waterfall
- Time Needed: 1 hour.
- Distance and Type: 500 meters
- Difficulty: Easy
- When to Hike: Year-round
- Where to Stay: Los Ángeles or Chillán, where there are plenty of accommodations to suit all budgets.
Salto del Laja is a popular tourist destination in Chile, known for its stunning waterfall that drops 35 meters (115 feet) into the Biobío River. The hike to the waterfall is an easy out-and-back trail that starts at the parking lot and follows a well-marked path to the base of the falls. Along the way, hikers will enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The trail is suitable for hikers of all fitness levels, with only a few stairs and gentle inclines. The best time to hike is year-round, as the weather in the Biobío Region is mild and pleasant throughout the year.
6. Parque Bicentenario
- Where: Vitacura, Santiago, Chile
- Starting Point: Various entry points around the park
- End Point: Same as starting point.
- Time Needed: 1-2 hours.
- Distance and Type: 3 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Easy
- When to Hike: Year-round
- Where to Stay: Various options in Santiago
Parque Bicentenario is a beautiful urban park located in the upscale neighborhood of Vitacura in Santiago, Chile. The park features a large artificial lake, numerous walking and biking paths, and a variety of trees and plants. The loop trail around the lake is an easy hike that takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete, depending on how many stops you make along the way. The trail is suitable for hikers of all fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible.
7. Sendero El Morado
- Where: Cajón del Maipo, Chile
- Starting Point: Baños Morales
- End Point: Laguna El Morado
- Time Needed: 5-6 hours.
- Distance and Type: 10 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to Hike: December to April
- Where to Stay: Cajón del Maipo has several lodging options, including cabins, hostels, and hotels. Santiago is also a popular base for exploring the area.
Sendero El Morado is a popular hiking trail in the Cajón del Maipo region of Chile, known for its stunning mountain scenery and glacial lake at the end of the trail. The trail starts in the town of Baños Morales and ascends steadily through rocky terrain and alpine forests, passing by streams and waterfalls along the way. The final stretch of the trail is steep and challenging, but the reward is a breathtaking view of Laguna El Morado, a glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The trail is best hiked from December to April, when the weather is warmest, and the trail is free of snow.
8. Cerro Alegre
- Where: Valparaiso, Chile
- Starting point: The starting point for the hike is Plaza Anibal Pinto in the Cerro Alegre neighborhood.
- End point: The summit of Cerro Alegre.
- Time needed: 1-2 hours.
- Distance and Type: 2 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: The hike is considered moderate in difficulty due to the steep sections and uneven terrain.
- When to hike: The best time to hike Cerro Alegre is during the dry season, from December to March. However, it can be hiked year-round if the weather permits.
- Where to stay: There are many accommodation options in the Cerro Alegre neighborhood, including hotels, hostels, and Airbnb rentals.
Cerro Alegre is one of the many hills in Valparaiso and offers panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean. The trail starts at Plaza Anibal Pinto and winds through the colorful and picturesque Cerro Alegre neighborhood. The summit offers stunning views and is a great spot for photos. Along the way, hikers can admire the unique architecture and street art that Valparaiso is famous for.
9. Piedra del Aguila
- Where: Andes Mountains of Chile
- Starting point: Piedra del Aguila parking lot
- End point: Piedra del Aguila viewpoint
- Time needed: 2-3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 6 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to hike: Year-round, but best in spring and autumn.
- Where to stay: There are accommodation options in nearby towns such as San Fernando and Santa Cruz
The Piedra del Aguila trail is a popular hiking trail that leads to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the Andes Mountains of Chile. The trail begins at the parking lot and ascends gradually through a forested area before reaching the rocky viewpoint. Along the way, hikers will enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The trail is well-marked and maintained, but sturdy footwear is recommended as it can be rocky and uneven in places. At the top, hikers will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The best time to hike is in spring or autumn when the weather is mild, and the colors are vibrant.
10. Glaciar Exploradores
- Location: Aysén Region, Chile
- Starting Point: Carretera Austral Road, near the Exploradores river bridge
- End Point: Glaciar Exploradores
- Time Needed: 6-7 hours.
- Distance and Type: 10 km circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to Hike: During the summer months in Chile (December to March).
- Where to Stay: There are several options for accommodation in nearby towns such as Puerto Tranquilo and Cochrane.
The hike to Glaciar Exploradores takes you through the beautiful scenery of the Aysén region, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The trail is well-marked but can be steep and rocky in places, so it’s important to wear sturdy hiking boots and bring plenty of water and snacks. At the end of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the glacier and its ice formations. It’s also possible to book guided tours of the glacier, which allow you to explore the ice caves and crevasses in more detail.
