Trekking Lima (Peru) with 10+ Mountaineering Trails

Lima is trendy, energetic and vibrant. Its graffiti-laden coastal stroll is enchanting, and its many museums housed in colonial buildings are fascinating. It’s simple to assume that’s all there may be to the capital, after which transfer on to the pure wonders of Huaraz or the Sacred Valley, tackling the Inca path from Cusco to the Machu Picchu. However allow us to introduce you to a number of lovely trekking choices near Lima, that make for refreshing day hikes. 

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La Molina Ecological Park

This protected space lies proper exterior the Japanese a part of city, the place town turns into hills. This panorama of low mountains, with a strolling path overlooking the neighbourhoods of La Molina and Santiago de Surco, belongs to a fragile ecosystem often known as “lomas” (hills).

The park provides 2 choices for a brief stroll – and a big loop mixing the 2 collectively. For the latter, go up in direction of the guard home, climb up the hill to the left, after which go down the ridge, ending at gate 1.

The lomas ecosystem is sprayed alongside the coast between Northern Peru and central Chile. Due to a really explicit local weather, a humid fog arises between June and October and turns these in any other case dry hills into oases, superbly inexperienced through the southern winter.

➔ Observe this path on Wikiloc.

Apu Siqay

Simply barely farther from La Molina Park, you’ll discover in Apu Siqay all of the traits of the lomas ecosystem, with cacti and low vegetation.

In addition to some quirky and vibrant sculptures, the spotlight of Apu Siqay is a kind of blanket of clouds that seems within the winter, from sundown till very early within the morning. In that season, you’ll have the ability to spot many lovely flowers, and perhaps some wild foxes and vizcachas.

You’ll be able to comply with two climbing trails, a brief one and a long-ish one. However the space can be a standard vacation spot for native cyclists. So when you really feel sporty, why not lease a motorbike and be a part of them on the hills!

➔ Observe the path from La Molina to Apu Siqay on Wikiloc.

Lomas de Lúcumo (Pachacamac)

By now you recognize what lomas are and you’ll begin seeing them throughout the capital, inexperienced between June and November. They provide nice day-hikes near Lima, typically barely demanding due to the altitude however often accessible to the entire household.

The Lúcumo Hills, within the Pachacamac district, might be reached with a 1-hour bus experience from town centre to Quebrada Verde. Though this district is known for its pre-Incan ruins, this space of lush vegetation surrounding rocky crags is barely ever visited.

Two circuits of various issue are well-maintained and simple to comply with, dotted all together with fairly little flowers. They’ll take you about 2 and 4 hours respectively. It’s laborious to think about that this verdant place might be discovered so near such a chaotic and sprawling metropolis.

When you consider it, these patches of inexperienced hills are virtually miraculous, contemplating Lima is the world’s second largest metropolis in-built a desert.

➔ Observe the longer path on Wikiloc.

Lomas del Manzano (Pachacamac)

One other inexperienced and hilly space of the district of Pacahacamac, the Manzano Hills provide a bigger climbing space. Right here once more, you’ll meet fairly just a few cyclists trying to escape town, particularly throughout what we may name the “inexperienced season”.

You’ll have the ability to select between 9 totally different climbing routes, between 4 km and 10 km lengthy. Their altitudes go from 100 metres to 700 metres above sea stage. Be aware that there’s a small entrance price initially of the trail.

➔ Observe this path on Wikiloc.

Lachay Nationwide Reserve (1h30 from Lima)

We discover the Lomas de Lachay within the North of Lima, close to the city of Huacho. Coaches go away repeatedly the Plaza Norte bus terminal on this course. Simply inform the motive force the place you’re heading they usually’ll drop you off at km 105 on the Pan-American North street.

In part of the coast that’s both desert-like or urbanised, this protected space serves as a sanctuary for the native fauna and flora. Among the many lush vegetation and the misty fog, you would possibly have the ability to spot foxes, falcons and various kinds of endemic birds.

Two quick paths permit to hike on this oasis and take some otherworldly images. The longest one (“sendero La Perdiz”) could be very properly sign-posted and takes about 2.5 hours.

Tip! Should you’re visiting any of the Lima hills in winter, please put on correct climbing footwear. Even when it’s not raining on the day of your go to, the paths are prone to be muddy and slippery.

➔ Observe this path on Wikiloc.

Calango – La Capilla (2h from Lima)

Calango is a cute little city, a 2-hour drive South of the capital, well-known for its manufacturing of grapes and apples, and the adobe home bordering its central sq..

The entire space could be very inexperienced, hilly and excellent for a quiet trekking day exterior of Lima. It’s potential to comply with the Mala River west in direction of Correviento, or to discover the valley going north. However our favorite stroll is the quick one which goes to the village of La Capilla, to the east.

A mild path follows the outdated observe and showcases how the river brings life to an in any other case arid mountain space. Alongside the best way, you’ll marvel on the range of the fruit timber: apple timber, avocados, quince, and the large guanábana timber.

The target of the stroll is a pure cave on the opposite facet of the river, that has been transformed right into a quaint and vibrant little church.

Are you a fruit lover? Uncover 7 uncommon (and scrumptious) fruits from Peru

Antankallo Falls (2h from Lima)

With a 20-m leap, the Antankallo waterfall is the tallest fall close to Lima. It’s surrounded by curious rock formations and luxurious forests, and the Andean peaks of the pre-cordillera mountains.

After paying a small entrance price, you’ll face a 2h climb that finishes Indiana-Jones type with the crossing of a suspended bridge. The mountain views alongside the best way, and the majesty of the waterfall leaping among the many inexperienced surroundings are positively rewarding. Depend about 1h for the hike again.

There are buses going to Matucana, the closest city, with a change at Chosica. Should you don’t really feel like going again on to Lima after trekking, there are tenting websites close to the waterfall.

➔ Observe this path on Wikiloc.

Are you a waterfalls fan like us? Uncover our favorite waterfalls in South America!

Marcahuasi (3h from Lima)

Though it lies a good way away from the capital, the rocky plateau of Marcahuasi, within the Sierra de Lima, is a particular must-see. To get there, take a 2h bus to Chosica from Av. Paseo Colón in Lima; then comply with up with one other bus to San Pedro de Casta.

This 17-km high-altitude loop begins from San Pedro and takes about 6 hours. On this journey, you’ll benefit from the view of mountain lakes and hypnotizing rock formations. These stone forests appear to be the dwelling place of legendary animals, carved within the rock by the divine winds.

In reality, spirituality could be very sturdy right here, and so are the celebs. Tenting websites on the plateau help you keep and luxuriate in them each. Should you’re fortunate, you would possibly even be a part of the ranks of those that declare they’ve noticed UFOs.

Tip! As a way to do the entire 6-hour hike, you’ll have to spend at the very least 1 evening within the space. You’ll be able to both camp on website, or discover lodging in San Pedro.

➔ Observe this path on Wikiloc.

Laguna Rapagna (2h30 from Lima)

Of all of the trekking choices near Lima, this one is essentially the most demanding on our listing. Nevertheless it results in one of the vital lovely Andes landscapes in Peru.

After making your option to the city of San Mateo, after which additional to Río Blanco (which conveniently boasts a practice station, though the connections is likely to be scarce), the path begins up the valley.

It goes steadily upwards with few flat elements. It crosses streams and ‘stone forests’, with low vegetation and the noise of the river beneath. You’ll want about 2 hours to succeed in the fascinating Lake Rapagna, surrounded by a crown of snow-topped peaks.

Tip! The path goes from 3500 to 4550 meters above sea stage. It’s due to this fact important that you just acclimatise to the altitude for a few days earlier than making an attempt the trek. Deliver good footwear for the rocky path and loads of water to remain hydrated.

➔ Observe this path on Wikiloc.

Need extra mountain hikes? Head over to Huaraz, the mountain town of Peru!

Vicas–Quilcamachay (2h45 from Lima)

Generally known as the ‘Route of the Ice’, this mountain hike results in a ghost village that’s slowly fading away atop a plateau, at 4100 metres asl. It was based in forgotten occasions by these sturdy sufficient to gather ice, to be bought in the remainder of the Lima area.

In addition to the otherworldly sight of the deserted buildings, this hike gives a solitary trekking expertise within the mountains It appears removed from the hustle and bustle of chaotic Lima.

It’s potential to succeed in the start line at Vicas by bus from the capital, with a change at Chosica. Go away as early as potential, to provide your self sufficient musing time at Quilcamachay. Additionally ensure you go to through the dry season (between April and October), in any other case the trail could also be blocked.

➔ Observe this path on Wikiloc.

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