Top 20 Must-Explore Hiking Trails in South America

Looking for the most challenging hiking trails in South America? The region is home to internationally renowned hikes, especially in the Peruvian Andes, which boast some of the best trails available. However, other countries also offer remarkable hikes worth exploring.

Many of these trails are quite challenging; thus, it is essential to take factors like altitude and weather into account when planning your adventure. These elements often catch out novice hikers.

The Inca Trail, Peru

The most iconic trail in South America, the Inca Trail guides visitors through stunning high Andes scenery, leading to the historic site of Machu Picchu. This four-day trek has limited availability, making it important to plan well during the main hiking season from April to October.

Torres Del Paine’s W Trail, Chile

The rugged slopes of Torres Del Paine are among the most iconic sights in Chile. The W Trail allows trekkers to experience these breathtaking peaks up close, with eco-friendly accommodations available. Most hikers complete this route in around four to five days, enjoying captivating scenery daily.

Ciudad Perdida Trek, Colombia

Often dubbed the Colombian equivalent of Machu Picchu, this remote location within the Sierra Nevada mountains is only accessible on foot, typically starting from the town of Santa Marta. This challenging trek through the jungle culminates in a steep ascent to the city’s terraces, rewarding you with lovely views.

Fitzroy Loop, Argentina

If you yearn for stunning glaciated mountain peaks, consider the Fitzroy massif in Patagonia. This loop trail features breathtaking views and some of the best viewpoints in the national park, as well as beautiful Andean lakes along the ten-day route. Due to its technical demands, it is advisable to join a local trekking company for this experience.

Chapada Diamantina Grand Circuit, Brazil

Located in Bahia, northeastern Brazil, Chapada Diamantina features stunning mountain vistas characterized by steep slopes and flat plateaus. The five-day Grand Circuit takes trekkers through hilly terrain and offers incredible sights of underground lakes and rivers, showcasing the area’s beauty.

The Condoriri Trek, Bolivia

This high-altitude trek requires acclimatization in La Paz. Upon adjusting to the altitude, hikers are treated to superb mountain scenery in the Royal Cordillera mountains. Side trips to interesting peaks, such as Pico Austria at 5,300 meters, further enhance the trekking experience, often leading to organized trips for those visiting the area.

Golondrinas Cloud Forest Trek, Ecuador

This trek is suitable for novice trekkers. Commencing in the Paramo, it traverses four days through the cloud forest, descending from approximately 4,000 meters above sea level to the subtropical zone at 1,000 meters. Notable wildlife, including the Andean Condor and the Paramo Wolf, enrich this scenic exploration of the region.

Ausangate Circuit, Peru

While the Inca Trail may be the premier option in South America, the Ausangate route south of Cusco offers spectacular scenery in the Cordillera Vilcanota mountains. This trek typically takes around two weeks to complete, providing an authentic glimpse into highland life and stunning campsites along the way.

Illampu Circuit, Bolivia

Illampu, one of Bolivia’s highest peaks, features a seven-day trek with delightful views of the Laguna Glaciar and snow-capped mountains. This adventure can be undertaken either independently or with a guide, showcasing fantastic shifts in terrain from dusty paths to stunning mountain tops.

Huayhuash Circuit, Peru

This trek highlights breathtaking blue mountain lakes nestled beneath soaring peaks while showcasing charming Quechua villages high in the mountains. Regarded as one of the best treks globally, Cerro Jyamy offers a rewarding summit walk, with numerous organized trekking companies available to assist.

The Salkantay To Machu Picchu Trek, Peru

The journey on foot to Machu Picchu can be taken via various routes beyond the Inca Trail. The Salkantay trek, beginning in the foothills beneath Mount Salkantay, spans five days, offering stunning views of mountain peaks and glacial lakes before ultimately arriving at Machu Picchu.

Valley Of The Volcanoes Trek, Ecuador

This trek explores volcanic terrains surrounding Cotopaxi, one of the largest volcanoes in South America and a short distance from Quito. Adventurers can expect high-altitude walking while enjoying unique views around an eroded volcanic crater.

El Morado Glacier Trek, Chile

This trek, which can last one or two days, serves as an excellent introduction to trekking in South America. The route traverses a glacial valley leading to a lake at the glacier’s base, where camping is possible before proceeding to explore the Morales Valley in a two-day adventure.

Kaieteur Falls Trek, Guyana

The small nation of Guyana, located on the northeast coast of South America, presents an incredible trekking opportunity to the Kaieteur Falls, reputedly the highest single-drop waterfall globally. This four to five-day trek guides visitors through stunning Amazon jungle, culminating at the magnificent falls.

Mount Roraima Summit Route, Venezuela

Mount Roraima, situated at the tri-border area between Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil, features a unique shape with steep, vertical sides surrounding a vast, flat plateau atop. Trekkers start in the savanna, navigating steep trails to the summit while experiencing indigenous settlements along the journey.

Ingapirca Trek, Ecuador

Also known as the Ecuadorian Inca Trail, this three-day hike concludes at the ancient Inca ruins of Ingapirca. The trek follows paths dating back to a thousand years, previously utilized by messages traveling between Inca settlements. Engaging with the indigenous population along the way enhances the experience, and organized trips often provide donkeys for carrying equipment.

Huella Andina, Argentina

This ambitious, long-distance trail stretches 540 kilometers from Lake Alumine in northern Chilean Patagonia to Lake Baguilt in Los Alerces National Park, offering spectacular vistas. Although some sections run along roads, the stunning parts include four days spent in Nahuel Huapi National Park, renowned for its remarkable lakes.

O Caminho da Fe, Brazil

This walking route, inspired by Spain’s Camino de Santiago, serves as a pilgrimage leading to the basilica in Aparecida, Sao Paulo. The 300-mile route features varied scenery, with the most arduous segment found in the Mantiqueira mountains.

Alpamayo Circuit, Peru

While the Cordillera Blanca in northern Peru receives fewer visitors than the Inca Trail, its breathtaking snow-capped mountains provide a rich cultural and scenic expedition. Starting from Huaraz, a day or two for acclimatization is advisable before tackling the challenging ascents and earning remarkable views from the passes.

Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy Trek, Colombia

This six-day trek from Guican to El Cocuy presents options for both guided and independent hiking, with peak season in December and January. Glacial landscapes accentuating the rocky summits highlight the experience, so it is wise to carry rain gear due to frequent showers, even in peak periods.