AnnaAh, the wonders of Nature after several hours panting on a trail! Only a nice strenuous hike gives us that serenity that brings us closer to Life, God, the Cosmos; or whatever kids call it these days. With its array of incredible landscapes, hiking in South America offers truly unforgettable experiences. Yet, let’s be honest, the most famous treks sometimes get too busy to be properly enjoyed; while a few miles (or km) away, a lesser-known trail awaits, just as beautiful and pleasantly deserted. We list here 7 famous hiking trails in South America and suggest for each one a similar, less crowded alternative.
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Salkantay (Inca Trail) | Santa Cruz trek | Lost City | W Trek
Colca Canyon | Fitz Roy | Rainbow Mountain
1. Famous trek: Salkantay a.k.a. the Inca Trail
| Where? | Peru, near Cusco |
| How long? | 6 days |
| Difficulty: | Moderate to challenging |
Famous for: The trail passes by glaciers, high-altitude lakes, and lush valleys through the Andes mountain range. You tread ancient stones laid by an extinct civilisation and, at the end of the path, get your own backdoor access to Machu Picchu, the Inca jewel. All along the way, looms the towering snow-capped peak of the Salkantay, the “Savage Mountain”.
The famous Inca Trail also offers steep ascents and descents, and unpredictable weather conditions; yet it’s rather busy, especially in the high season. Both the challenge and the stunning scenery appeal to many international hikers, ready to pay an extravagant fee to complete it.
Alternative trek: Choquequirao trail
| Where? | Peru, near Cusco |
| How long? | 4-5 days |
| Difficulty: | Challenging |
How it compares: Less known but equally impressive, this challenging trail provides another angle on the Andes. It leads to Choquequirao, the “Cradle of Gold” – definitely another one of the most important Inca archaeological sites in South America. The landscape along the trail is diverse, with lush jungle, a rushing river, and panoramic mountain views.
If you’re already familiar with Machu Picchu, imagine visiting it with only a handful of visitors. Sure, it’s in poorer conditions, and there’s no infrastructure besides a camping place about 30 min from the site. But it’s just as extensive and superb; and the serenity allows you to really take in the aura of the place and explore it at your own pace.
2. Famous trek: Santa Cruz trek
| Where? | Peru, near Huaraz |
| How long? | 4 days |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
Famous for: We could argue that the Huaraz area, in central Peru, is the #2 hikers’ paradise in South America (after Patagonia). The trail winds its way through the heart of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, offering breath-taking views of glaciers, towering peaks, and turquoise lakes. A nice variety of rare animals live in this area, including Andean condors, spectacled bears, and numerous bird species.
Having said that, the wildlife remains discreet around the Santa Cruz Trail. Because this multi-day hike is only of moderate difficulty –with some steep sections and high altitudes– it’s the busiest trek in the Huaraz area. Note that the whole trail is at high altitude, so acclimatization is necessary before starting.
Alternative trek: Huayhuash circuit
| Where? | Peru, near Huaraz |
| How long? | 10-12 days |
| Difficulty: | Moderate to challenging |
How it compares: This is the most comprehensive trail in the wonderful Cordillera Blanca. Because it’s longer and overall more strenuous than the Santa Cruz, it’s definitely less crowded. So you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful landscape without distraction, and have more chance of spotting the elusive wildlife.
The Huayhuash Trail is also at a high altitude, so acclimatization is necessary prior to the hike. Its unique feature is the chance to see several of the continent’s highest peaks in a single trek, including Yerupaja, Siula, and Huayhuash.
Not quite ready for a multi-day hike? Check out those scenic day hikes near Huaraz.
3. Famous trek: Lost City / Ciudad Perdida
| Where? | Colombia, near Santa Marta |
| How long? | 3-5 days |
| Difficulty: | Challenging |
Famous for: The Lost City Trail (or Ciudad Perdida in Spanish) is an unforgettable trek through the lush jungle of Colombia and up to ancient ruins. The journey offers a combination of natural beauty and cultural significance; hikers pass through dense jungle, cross rushing rivers, and climb steep steps to reach the Lost City.
The highlight of the trail is the visit of the Lost City itself, a well-preserved set of ancient ruins that offer a glimpse into the history of the Tayrona people. The trail, considered challenging with its steep ascents, river crossings, and difficult terrain, can only be hiked as part of a guided group. You’ll have to book in advance and reach sometimes deep into your pockets.
Keep exploring around Santa Marta: Camping in the Tayrona National Park
Alternative trek: Alto Shilcayo hike
| Where? | Peru, near Tarapoto |
| How long? | 2 or more days |
| Difficulty: | Moderate to challenging |
How it compares: A chance to spend time in the legendary Amazon Rainforest, in Northern Peru. You get to a quiet camping spot within a day and can stay as long as you have resources for. Rock-crossing a flowing river and entering the rainforest, abuzz with monkey screams and gigantic trees, is a magical experience.
Sure, there’s no charismatic ruin of ancient stones patiently waiting for you at the end of the trail. Instead, you’ll pass by a monkeys refuge and will arrive at the place of an ayahuasca retreat. It’s completely off-the-radar and there’s a possibility to go self-guided for a small park entrance fee; so it’s a better choice for independent adventure seekers and budget travellers.
Read the full story: Our adventure in the Peruvian Amazon jungle
There’s another reason to seek alternative places and shun (at least some of) the most famous ones. Overtourism damages sites and has both a direct and an indirect effect on the fauna and the flora. The direct effect comes from the hundreds of feet trampling the same paths daily, scaring the wildlife, dropping the odd plastic wrapper or cigarette butt.
The indirect one: companies competing for a slice of the cake, building infrastructure (hotels, offices, etc.), running more busses than are necessary, even pushing to build an airport where there shouldn’t be one. Going off-the-beaten path is eco-friendlier than we think.
4. Famous trek: W trek in Torres del Paine
| Where? | Chile, near Puerto Natales |
| How long? | 4 days |
| Difficulty: | Challenging |
Famous for: This classic trail goes through some of South America’s most stunning landscapes, in the icy land of legends that’s Patagonia. Shaped like a “W”, it offers a personal challenge and vivid sense of adventure through glaciers, emerald lakes, and peaks. The famous 3-finger-shaped granite towers are the park’s signature landmarks, but there are many more highlights along the road.
Forget about mountain serenity though. The number of visitors to Torres del Paine National Park has seen a significant increase in recent years. According to some sources, the park received approximately 200,000 visitors in 2018. And that’s due to increase, in both high and low seasons. The O Circuit –the W’s longer sister– offers more of a backcountry experience.
In case you are interested in the O circuit, keep planning: How to hike the O Circuit
Alternative trek: Las Horquetas trail in Cerro Castillo
| Where? | Chile, Villa Cerro Castillo |
| How long? | 4 days |
| Difficulty: | Moderate to challenging |
How it compares: Set in a similar paradise of glaciers and mountains to Torres del Paine, Las Horquetas is the longest multi-day hike in Cerro Castillo National Park, Chile. Because it’s not so down South, the climate is somewhat milder; yet the feeling of challenge and adventure is definitely there on its wild and rugged terrain.
Of course it’s less organised, and you will need to bring your own tent. But it’s also cheaper to visit, and you get a whole playground almost entirely to yourself. Las Horquetas is considered to be moderate to challenging, with steep ascents, rocky terrain, and remote wilderness.
If you fell in love with this terrain, check out the best multi-day hikes in Patagonia.
5. Famous trek: Colca canyon
| Where? | Peru, near Arequipa |
| How long? | 3 days |
| Difficulty: | Easy to moderate |
Famous for: Here’s a breath-taking journey through one of the world’s deepest canyons, surrounded by mountains and volcanos. You’ll cross stunning landscapes and indigenous villages, seemingly dormant on the Andean Altiplano. Who knows, you might even spot a majestic Andean Condor, which can often be seen soaring high above the canyon.
It’s possible to reach the area with public transportation from Arequipa, but the schedules aren’t exactly visitor-friendly. The alternative is to book a tour for a generally reasonable price; some of them even for just a day.
The Colca Canyon trail is among travel bloggers’ favourite South America treks
Alternative trek: Chapada Diamantina
| Where? | Brazil, Lençois |
| How long? | 3-5 days |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
How it compares: This national park in the heart of Brazil is made of high rocky plateaus. You’ll find yourself winding your way across low vegetation and lush forests, crossing riverbeds to waterfalls of all sizes (like the iconic Serrano waterfalls), climbing up to Moon-like mountain tops.
This part of Brazil is surprisingly under-travelled, especially by international travellers. Buts that’s a good thing. Hiking in the vastness of the Chapada Diamantina gives the feeling of exploring a new world. The hiking paths are unmarked, so either get a guide or use your go-to trekking app.
6. Famous trek: Fitz Roy
| Where? | Argentina, El Chaltén |
| How long? | 1 to 10 days |
| Difficulty: | Challenging |
Famous for: The area around Mount Fitz Roy is sometimes referred to as the Argentinian Torres del Paine. It’s a jewel of a mountain landscape, with shady forests and sparkling lakes, among which the magnificent Laguna de los Tres. The towering mountain that dominates the landscape is considered one of the most challenging climbing destinations in the world. The trail itself is long and demanding, but the reward follows at every minute.
Nearby El Chaltén is a village of mountain sports lovers, that gets unreasonably crowded in the summer (Dec-Feb). Parts of the hike itself receive a lot of attention in the high season, which may spoil the experience of the most nature-oriented visitors.
Alternative trek: Dientes de Navarino Trek (Tierra del Fuego)
| Where? | Chile, Puerto Williams |
| How long? | 5 days |
| Difficulty: | Challenging |
How it compares: Tierra del Fuego is the southernmost region of South America, and probably the most remote one too. The area offers other, shorter trails (even day hikes) as well, but the Dientes de Navarino Trek is a classic Tierra del Fuego hike with beautiful and varied, often snow-covered landscapes.
You get the chance to walk along the Beagle Channel, a historic waterway that has been a key passage for explorers and adventurers for centuries; and also to spot some unique wildlife that’s only rarely seen everywhere else. It’s a real backcountry experience, both mesmerising and unsettling, considering the remoteness and the emptiness of the area.
7. Famous trek: Rainbow Mountain
| Where? | Peru, near Cusco |
| How long? | 1 day |
| Difficulty: | Easy to moderate |
Famous for: The Vinicunca (as the mountain is named in Quechua) has become famous in recent years for its amazing, vibrant colours; the result of several mineral deposits in the rock. It’s considered to be one of the most spectacular and unusual landscapes in the world. No doubt it’s a pretty sight to behold, with a touch of Pachamama magic to it.
But due to its accessible location close to Cusco, the Rainbow Mountain is usually chock-a-block with visitors all year long. At the brightest hour, when everybody wants to make the most of their trip, it quickly becomes a somewhat disturbing parade of selfies with indigenous women and nonplussed llamas.
Alternative trek: Cerro Hornocal
| Where? | Argentina, near Humahuaca |
| How long? | 1 day |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
How it compares: Also a product of mineral deposits, Cerro Hornocal is known as the 14-colour mountain. It’s a fascinating landscape, that can be seen on its own with a short ride from Humahuaca; or as part of a 6-day hike from the Quebrada de Humahuaca to the Calilegua National Park. Through desert plateaus in a remote part of the high Andes, you’ll spot a whole valley of those rainbow-coloured hills.
In Northwest Argentina, tourism is much lower than in Cusco – or in other parts of Argentina, for that matter. So you can expect an almost solitary experience, and very few fellow hikers, if any. Note that Cerro Hornocal is at high altitude, so count with acclimatization.
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Are you planning to go hiking in South America? Can you recommend other alternatives to famous trails? Leave us a comment!
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