With South America’s incredibly diverse landscape, it’s no wonder that the continent is home to some of the best hiking routes in the world. Depending on your choice of trekking trail, you’ll be certain to find a variety of unforgettable volcano- jungle- and mountain-centric hiking routes.
To help guide your choice on the best trail for you, we’ve put together a list of five popular hiking routes, and what you need to know before you begin.
Preparation Tips for Hiking in South America
Before arriving at the base of any trek, it’s important to have a few things in order. Proper preparation will ensure that your experience is both exciting and stress-free. Here are a few key tips to help you start your trek on the right foot.
- Make sure that you pack temperature-appropriate clothes. Some of the hiking trails can reach very low temperatures, especially at night or when the wind picks up.
- Choose your equipment wisely. Most importantly, ensure that you carry the best backpack for hiking. Having the correct backpack will ensure that your energy can be spent taking in the beauty, rather than struggling with your luggage.
- Research the route. While some trekking routes in South America don’t require any experience, there are others that demand a certain level of fitness.
Top 5 Hiking Routes in South America
There are hundreds of wonderful trails across South America, just waiting to be explored. Here are five of the best to get you started.
1. Salkantay – Peru
Fondly referred to as the “alternative to the Inca Trail”, Salkantay is a stellar hike that ends at the ancient Inca ruins, Machu Picchu. The entire route is about 74 kilometres, meaning that the route can be completed in five days if you average 12 kilometres a day.
The route which leads from lowland jungle to breathtaking mountainous settings doesn’t have permit restrictions, meaning that you can enjoy the route without the fuss.
The journey begins in Cusco and pushes hikers to their limits during the first two days, reaching a high point of 4580 meters at Apacheta Pass. However, the route becomes significantly easier after.
Salkantay Quick Facts:
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Skill level: Moderate fitness, with two days recommended acclimatizing
- Best time to go: April to November (dry season)
2. La Ciudad Perdida – Colombia
Discover the ancient ‘Lost City’ of Colombia while walking the trails of La Ciudad Perdida. This route is considered a hidden gem and is loved for its lack of crowding. The ancient city was only recently rediscovered in the 1970s when it was found abandoned and overgrown with jungle.
The hike meanders through a rainforest where hikers can wade through the rivers of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, before arriving at the Lost City. The final part of the hike includes a 1000-step climb to reach the entrance of the mysterious destination. What makes the arrival truly special is the way in which the canopy of trees opens up to reveal the magnificent mountains.
This route costs approximately USD $320, and you’d be wise to budget a little bit extra for mosquito repellant.
La Ciudad Perdida Quick Facts:
- Duration: 4 days
- Skill level: Moderate fitness, with consideration needed for the intense heat on route
- Best time to go: December to early March (dry season)
3. Fitz Roy Loop – Patagonia, Argentina
Mount Fitz Roy is one of the tallest mountains in the Patagonia region, with the hiking trail that reaches an impressive height of 2,900 meters. The full 10-day loop is notoriously technical and requires the help of a guide. There are also shorter routes in the Los Glaciares National Park to enjoy on tighter time schedules.
Fitz Roy follows the trail of beautiful scenery, including rivers and alpine lakes. If embarking on one of the shorter trails, then you can easily do so without a guide as they are so well marked. Keep in mind that the weather in the region can be quite unpredictable, so prepare for wind, rain and even snow regardless of the season.
Every challenging step of the way along the Fitz Roy loop is made worth it by incredible views. Between the snow-capped mountains and breathtaking sunrises, you’ll have plenty of photographic opportunities (which can double up as a much-needed break).
Fitz Roy Loop Quick Facts:
- Duration: 10 days for the full loop
- Skill level: Difficult
- Best time to go: October to April
4. W Trek, Torres Del Paine – Chile
The W Trek gets its name because of the shape that the path follows through the mountains in Torres Del Paine National Park. Expect to be blown away by sweeping views as you follow the clearly marked route.
The jagged mountains of Torres del Paine are an iconic sight in Chile, and allure hikers from all over the world. The park itself is also home to glacial lakes and mountain peaks topped with snow.
The highest point on the four-day hike is 870 meters, but there is also a longer nine-day hike for those wanting a bit more of a challenge.
W Trek, Torres Del Paine Quick Facts:
- Duration: 4 days
- Skill level: Moderate, depending on the route
- Best time to go: April to September (this is the only part of the year when the park is open)
5. Huayna Potosí – Bolivia
The decision to summit Huayna Potosí is not one to be taken lightly. However, where the hike poses a difficult challenge, the reward of summiting an Andean mountain makes it worth it.
The start of the hike is a short distance from La Paz, Bolivia’s capital, and ascends up glaciated peaks. Although not an easy hike, it is an accessible one, with shorter options available if hikers don’t feel equipped to make the summit.
The trek to the summit at 6,088 meters is very technical and altitude sickness is a risk, meaning that the hike should not be attempted without proper training.
Huayna Potosí Quick Facts:
- Duration: 3 days
- Skill level: Difficult
- Best time to go: April to September (this is the only part of the year when the park is open)
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer trekking through the tropical jungle or summiting snow-peaked mountains, South America is a hiker’s dream destination. Hopefully, this list describing some of the best hiking routes on the continent has inspired you to put on your hiking boots and scratch off your calendar.
Don’t forget that preparation is key to an unforgettable adventure. So make sure that you put in the hours training, buy quality hiking equipment, and charge your cameras to capture those special moments!
