AnthonyLima is modern, lively and colourful. Its graffiti-laden coastal walk is enchanting, and its many museums housed in colonial buildings are fascinating. It’s easy to think that’s all there is to the capital, and then move on to the natural wonders of Huaraz or the Sacred Valley, tackling the Inca trail from Cusco to the Machu Picchu. But let us introduce you to several beautiful trekking options close to Lima, that make for refreshing day hikes.
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La Molina Ecological Park
This protected area lies right outside the Eastern part of town, where the city turns into hills. This landscape of low mountains, with a walking path overlooking the neighbourhoods of La Molina and Santiago de Surco, belongs to a fragile ecosystem known as “lomas” (hills).
The park offers 2 options for a short walk – and a large loop mixing the two together. For the latter, go up towards the guard house, climb up the hill to the left, and then go down the ridge, finishing at gate 1.
➔ Follow this trail on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 5.5 km / 3.4 mi round trip (1.5 hours) |
| Difficulty: | easy ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Best time to go: | All year round |
| Self-guided option? | Yes |
Apu Siqay
Just slightly further from La Molina Park, you’ll find in Apu Siqay all the characteristics of the lomas ecosystem, with cacti and low vegetation.
Besides some quirky and colourful sculptures, the highlight of Apu Siqay is a sort of blanket of clouds that appears in the winter, from sunset until very early in the morning. In that season, you’ll be able to spot many beautiful flowers, and maybe some wild foxes and vizcachas.
You can follow two hiking trails, a short one and a long-ish one. But the area is also a common destination for local cyclists. So if you feel sporty, why not rent a bike and join them on the hills!
➔ Follow the trail from La Molina to Apu Siqay on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 13.8 km / 8.6 mi (3 hours) |
| Difficulty: | easy to moderate ★★☆☆☆ |
| Best time to go: | June–October |
| Self-guided option? | Yes |
Lomas de Lúcumo (Pachacamac)
By now you know what lomas are and you will start seeing them all around the capital, green between June and November. They offer great day-hikes close to Lima, sometimes slightly demanding because of the altitude but usually accessible to the whole family.
The Lúcumo Hills, in the Pachacamac district, can be reached with a 1-hour bus ride from the city centre to Quebrada Verde. Although this district is famous for its pre-Incan ruins, this area of lush vegetation surrounding rocky crags is barely ever visited.
Two circuits of different difficulty are well-maintained and easy to follow, dotted all along with pretty little flowers. They’ll take you about 2 and 4 hours respectively. It’s hard to imagine that this verdant place can be found so close to such a chaotic and sprawling city.
➔ Follow the longer trail on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 3–7 km / 1.9–4.4 mi round trip (2 hours) |
| Difficulty: | easy to moderate ★★☆☆☆ |
| Best time to go: | June–October |
| Self-guided option? | Yes |
Lomas del Manzano (Pachacamac)
Another green and hilly area of the district of Pacahacamac, the Manzano Hills offer a larger hiking area. Here again, you’ll meet quite a few cyclists looking to escape the city, especially during what we could call the “green season”.
You’ll be able to choose between 9 different hiking routes, between 4 km and 10 km long. Their altitudes go from 100 metres to 700 metres above sea level. Note that there is a small entrance fee at the start of the path.
➔ Follow this trail on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 10 km / 6.3 mi round trip (2 hours) |
| Difficulty: | easy ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Best time to go: | All year round |
| Self-guided option? | Yes |
Slightly further to the east, underneath the Paul Paulet City Park, you’ll find the surprisingly wild Pucará Canyon. Difficult to imagine such an impressive landscape so close from Lima.
The dirt path isn’t particularly difficult and has a low declivity, but make sure you wear proper trekking shoes and a rainjacket. The area is well adapted to cycling too. Combine this day trek with a visit of the nearby Pueblo Viejo de Pucará archaeological site.
Lachay National Reserve (1h30 from Lima)
We find the Lomas de Lachay in the North of Lima, near the town of Huacho. Coaches leave regularly the Plaza Norte bus terminal in this direction. Just tell the driver where you’re heading and they’ll drop you off at km 105 on the Pan-American North road.
In a part of the coast that is either desert-like or urbanised, this protected area serves as a sanctuary for the local fauna and flora. Among the lush vegetation and the misty fog, you might be able to spot foxes, falcons and different types of endemic birds.
Two short paths allow to hike in this oasis and take some otherworldly photos. The longest one (“sendero La Perdiz”) is very well sign-posted and takes about 2.5 hours.
➔ Follow this trail on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 12.4 km / 7.7 mi round trip (2.5 hours) |
| Difficulty: | easy to moderate ★★☆☆☆ |
| Best time to go: | July–October |
| Self-guided option? | Yes, or book a day tour or a birdwatching photography tour on Viator |
Calango – La Capilla (2h from Lima)
Calango is a cute little town, a 2-hour drive South of the capital, famous for its production of grapes and apples, and the adobe house bordering its central square.
The whole area is very green, hilly and perfect for a quiet trekking day outside of Lima. It’s possible to follow the Mala River west towards Correviento, or to explore the valley going north. But our favourite walk is the short one that goes to the village of La Capilla, to the east.
A gentle path follows the old track and showcases how the river brings life to an otherwise arid mountain area. Along the way, you’ll marvel at the diversity of the fruit trees: apple trees, avocados, quince, and the giant guanábana trees.
The objective of the walk is a natural cave on the other side of the river, that has been converted into a quaint and colourful little church.
| Distance (time): | 5.7 km / 3.5 mi one way (1.5 hour) |
| Difficulty: | easy ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Best time to go: | All year round |
| Self-guided option? | Yes |
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Antankallo Falls (2h from Lima)
With a 20-m leap, the Antankallo waterfall is the tallest fall near Lima. It’s surrounded by curious rock formations and lush forests, and the Andean peaks of the pre-cordillera mountains.
After paying a small entrance fee, you’ll face a 2h climb that finishes Indiana-Jones style with the crossing of a suspended bridge. The mountain views along the way, and the majesty of the waterfall leaping among the green scenery are definitely rewarding. Count about 1h for the hike back.
There are buses going to Matucana, the closest town, with a change at Chosica. If you don’t feel like going back directly to Lima after trekking, there are camping sites near the waterfall.
➔ Follow this trail on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 6.7 km / 4.2 mi round-trip (3 hours) |
| Difficulty: | moderate ★★☆☆☆ |
| Nearest town: | Matucana |
| Best time to go: | July–October |
| Self-guided option? | Yes |
Are you a waterfalls fan like us? Discover our favourite waterfalls in South America!
In the same area, the town of (San Jerónimo de) Surco, a 2-hour drive from Lima, is a waterfalls paradise. A couple of them (Huanano, Cuchimachay) are easily accessible from the town. But our favourite one awaits deeper south, at the end of a 3-hour ascending trail: Palakala Falls.
You’ll need to pay a small entrance fee and climb about 800 m through forests and on mountain slopes. A good fitness condition is therefore required, but the path is well-marked.
Marcahuasi (3h from Lima)
Although it lies a good distance away from the capital, the rocky plateau of Marcahuasi, in the Sierra de Lima, is a definite must-see. To get there, take a 2h bus to Chosica from Av. Paseo Colón in Lima; then follow up with another bus to San Pedro de Casta.
This 17-km high-altitude loop starts from San Pedro and takes about 6 hours. On this adventure, you’ll enjoy the view of mountain lakes and hypnotizing rock formations. These stone forests seem to be the dwelling place of mythical animals, carved in the rock by the divine winds.
In fact, spirituality is very strong here, and so are the stars. Camping sites on the plateau allow you to stay and enjoy them both. If you’re lucky, you might even join the ranks of those who claim they have spotted UFOs.
➔ Follow this trail on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 17 km / 10.6 mi round trip (6 hours) |
| Difficulty: | moderate ★★☆☆☆ |
| Nearest town: | San Pedro de Casta |
| Best time to go: | April–October |
| Self-guided option? | Yes, or book a tour on Viator |
Laguna Rapagna (2h30 from Lima)
Of all the trekking options close to Lima, this one is the most demanding on our list. But it leads to one of the most beautiful Andes landscapes in Peru.
After making your way to the town of San Mateo, and then further to Río Blanco (which conveniently boasts a train station, although the connections might be scarce), the trail starts up the valley.
It goes steadily upwards with few flat parts. It crosses streams and ‘stone forests’, with low vegetation and the noise of the river underneath. You’ll need about 2 hours to reach the fascinating Lake Rapagna, surrounded by a crown of snow-topped peaks.
➔ Follow this trail on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 13 km / 8.2 mi (3–4 hours) |
| Difficulty: | moderate to difficult ★★★★☆ |
| Nearest town: | San Mateo / Río Blanco |
| Best time to go: | April–October |
| Self-guided option? | Yes |
Want more mountain hikes? Head over to Huaraz, the mountain town of Peru!
Vicas–Quilcamachay (2h45 from Lima)
Known as the ‘Route of the Ice’, this mountain hike leads to a ghost village that is slowly fading away atop a plateau, at 4100 metres asl. It was founded in forgotten times by those sturdy enough to collect ice, to be sold in the rest of the Lima region.
Besides the otherworldly sight of the abandoned buildings, this hike provides a solitary trekking experience in the mountains It seems far from the hustle and bustle of chaotic Lima.
It’s possible to reach the starting point at Vicas by bus from the capital, with a change at Chosica. Leave as early as possible, to give yourself enough musing time at Quilcamachay. Also make sure you visit during the dry season (between April and October), otherwise the path may be blocked.
➔ Follow this trail on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 14.2 km / 8.8 mi (3.54 hours) |
| Difficulty: | moderate ★★★☆☆ |
| Nearest town: | Vicas |
| Best time to go: | April–October |
| Self-guided option? | Yes |
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Are you ready to go hiking near Lima? Which trail did you choose?
Tell us how it went in the comments below!
