15 BEST Hikes in South America

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South America is home to some of the most amazing hikes in the world. For many travelers, it’s the main reason they travel the continent.

I myself traveled from north to south and east to west enjoying some of the best hikes in South America. From the high-altitude Andes in Peru to the beaches in Colombia, I trekked while traveling in South America every chance I got.

Some hikes I’d never heard of before, others are famous all around the world. Some took me to extreme elevations and others had me sweating it out in the rain forest.

In this blog, I’ll share the absolute 15 best hikes in South America. The ones that made my epic 18-month journey on the continent one to remember!

1. Cerro Tronador, Argentina

• Location: Bariloche, Argentina
• Duration: 2 days, 1 night
• Distance: 36 kilometers (23.5 miles)
• Difficulty: Medium
• Type of trail: Out and back

The hike up Cerro Tronador in Bariloche was one of the best hikes I have done and also one of my favorite things to do in Bariloche. Not only because it’s beautiful, but because I accidentally stumbled upon this hidden gem that’s well off the beaten path.

The Cerro Tronador is an extinct stratovolcano inside of Nahuel Huapi National Park which happens to be the tallest mountain near Bariloche, rising up 3,400 meters (11,155 feet) above sea level. Witnessing this giant in person is nothing short of impressive and the mountain actually has 8 glaciers.

The most commonly taken route is to hike the base of the mountain on the overnight trail that starts with a 1.5-hour drive from Bariloche. From there, the trail is 18 kilometers (11.2 miles) one way to a small alpine hut. At the hut, you can choose to either stay in the hut for a fee or camp outside for free.

To camp, you do need to have high-quality alpine gear due to the location of the campsites and high winds. Bailey and I didn’t have camping gear good enough so we instead stayed in the hut. To be honest, it was so cold we were glad we did!

On the way up to the hut, you’ll trek through the beautiful Patagonian forest, see a hanging glacier, and lots of Condors. At the top was an incredible view of the snow-covered Andes mountain range and beside us, two glaciers whose deep crevices led to the unknown.

Spending the night on Cerro Tronador is something I will never forget and is easily a highlight of Argentina! This hike took a little while to organize simply because not many tourists try it, but it was worth it in the end!

Those who have experience with mountaineering can also attempt to summit the Pico Argentino (Argentinien Peak).

If you don’t want to commit to hiking Cerro Tronador without a guide you could also take this 8-hour sightseeing day trip from Bariloche that includes a short hike to Ventisquero Negro glacier. You’ll also get to admire all of the natural scenery on your way there from the window of your coach including Nahuel Huapi Lake and Manso River. Expect to pay around $72 USD.

2. Torres del Paine W Trek, Chile

• Location: Leaves from Puerto Natales, Chile
• Duration: 3 to 5 days
• Distance: 88 kilometers (54.6 miles)
• Difficulty: Medium
• Type of Trail: Point to point

The first multi-day hike I ever did was the Torres del Paine W Trek. This epic trail ignited my love for hiking and since then, I haven’t stopped.

The W Trek is famous all around the world and every year hundreds of thousands of tourists head to Torres del Paine National Park to hike the W Trek or the full O Loop.

This hike is famous for many reasons, however, the most common is because it is so beautiful. Amazing valleys, huge glaciers, and then the famous sunrise over the Torres to top it all off.

The W Trek is typically done over five days as this is the ideal way to see everything without having to walk too far on certain days. Distances each day vary from 14 km (8.5 miles) to 25 km (15.5 miles). With that said, some people complete the trail in as little as 3 days.

The Torres del Pain W Trek is not an overly difficult trail even though it is fairly long. With plenty of other hikers around it is perfect for those who are less experienced.

After hiking the trail the first time in 2016, I headed back in 2019 to complete the longer version of the hike, “the O”. This trail is 8 days and takes you to what’s called the “back end” of the national park. For those who are more experienced, it’s a great option!

The W Trek is one of the most famous hikes in South America and as such, it is necessary to book in advance! To ensure you get a spot, be sure to read our guide to camping in the Torres del Paine. It outlines how to book and plan your journey!

To make things a bit easier on yourself you could also pay for a multi-day tour that will include all of your transportation to and from the trailhead, campsites along the trail, and food.

This particular tour is your best bet for the W Circuit because you will be hiking each of the 5 days which breaks things up more, unlike other tours that only have you hiking on 4 of the 5 days.

If you want to take the O Circuit route this 8-day option comes with everything you will need to make completing your journey as easy as possible.

Related Read: Staying in Torres del Paine National Park is one of the best things to do in Chile. Check out our guide to the best hotels in Torres del Paine National Park.

3. Huayhuash Hike, Peru

• Location: A 6-hour drive outside the town of Huaraz, Peru
• Duration: 8 to 14 Days
• Distance: 135 kilometers (84 miles) 
• Difficulty: Hard
• Type of trail: Loop

The Huayhuash is the hardest hike on my list of the best hikes in South America – but also one of the most beautiful and rewarding.

Located deep in the Andes mountain range near the town of Huaraz, this hike has an average elevation of 4,600 m (15,000 feet) above sea level and offers very little flat ground. With overnight temperatures of -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit), this hike had me breaking sheets of ice off my tent every morning.

This is your reminder to remember to pack some warm clothing in your backpack.

Over the 8 to 14 days that this route will generally take to complete, you will conquer 9 mountain passes taking you to over 5,100 m (16,700 feet) above sea level. This hike is not for beginners as the terrain is rough and the trail is unmarked. Sadly, other hikers have lost their lives on the trek.

There is also a high risk of getting altitude sickness so acclimatizing for at least a few days in Huaraz would be strongly advised before beginning.

If you are not the most experienced, I recommend taking a guided tour that includes local guides and donkeys that will carry some of your equipment and food, making the giant task more manageable. The tours range from 8 to 14 days with the longer you go, the less you hiking you do each day.

This 10-day tour is highly regarded by reviewers and one of the biggest reasons why is that the tour company handles everything with a high level of professionalism and goes the extra mile to answer any questions that you might have leading up to the start of your hike.

The cost breakdown for the 10 days averages out to be around $100 USD/day so it’s definitely an investment but in the end is it totally worth it for such an unforgettable experience.

Despite the difficulty of the trail, I’d recommend it to anyone willing to take on the challenge as the views are out of this world. The above picture is only just one viewpoint visited over the course of the Huayhuash trek. This is easily one of the best hikes in Peru!

4. Lost City Trek, Colombia

• Location: Tours leave from Santa Marta, Colombia
• Duration: 4 days
• Distance: 46 kilometers (28 miles)
• Difficulty: Medium
• Type of trail: Point to point

The Lost City Trek is Colombia’s answer to Machu Picchu. The trek involves hiking through the jungle in the hills around Santa Marta and Minca for 4 days stopping at small camps each night. It is easily one of the best things to do in Colombia!

The trail takes you to the Lost City, (aka Cuidad Perdida) a famous Inca ruin that has to be seen to be believed. You’ll tour the ruins and learn all about the Incas all while enjoying the magnificent views.

The trail isn’t easy with constant uphill and downhill sections with little sections that are completely flat, and depending on the heat, it can be brutal! Fortunately, it is not a technical route and the trail conditions are well-maintained so you don’t have to be super-skilled to embark on this journey. As long are you are physically fit, completing the Lost City Trek should be doable.

The highest point is 1,500 meters/4,920 feet so you don’t need to be concerned with elevation sickness either but what you will need to prepare for is the bugs! I hate to break it to you but there are lots of mosquitoes especially once you make it to the lost city so be prepared with bug spray.

Although the ancient site doesn’t really compare to Machu Picchu, it’s still a spectacular trek that’s well worth doing. For one, it’s nowhere near as busy as Machu Picchu. I’d say it’s an off-the-beaten-path hike in South America only done by very few people.

Unfortunately, you can’t hike the trail on your own and you must take an organized tour with a certified guide. You can book your tour in Santa Marta or Minca, however, be wary of poor-quality tours.

Alternatively, you can book this particular guided tour online in advance which has over 1,500 5-star reviews! You are sure to be looked after by your highly trained guide with years of experience, a translator, and the accompanying cook who whips up delicious meals to keep you full and energized.

Related Read: Feeling inspired? Check out some of the other best places to visit in Colombia!

5. Salkantay Trek, Peru

• Location: Trek starts from Cusco, Peru
• Duration: 5 Days
• Distance: 78 kilometers (48.5 miles)
• Difficulty: Medium/hard
• Type of Trail: Point to point

It shouldn’t be surprising that one of the best hikes in South America involves the iconic Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek is only one of a few trails to the iconic Inca site, but it’s a great trek to do in the place of the famous Inca Trail which by nature is the busiest choice due to its moderate difficulty.

In fact, The Salkantay was historically walked by the most spiritual Incas en route to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek takes you up to 4,600 m (15,092 ft) through a mountain pass next to the picturesque Salkantay Mountain. This was seen as a way to get closer to the gods by the Incas.

What makes the Salksntay Trek a bit more challenging is that you’re trekking at altitudes of up to 5,000 m (16,404 ft) above sea level, whereas the Inca Trail is walking on ruins much of the way.

The entire trek takes 4 days but you’ll need to allow an extra day to see Machu Picchu too.

The trail can be hiked on your own or on a tour. Bailey and I did this particular tour for convenience’s sake and loved it. Of course, seeing Machu Picchu at the end is the highlight of the hike. Our tour also included a visit to Machu Picchu Mountain which was awesome!

With that said, the hike itself was a noteworthy journey. One day we were hiking in snow and the next through a humid jungle surrounded by hummingbirds!

Not all guided tours of the Salkantay Trek take a special route that visits the ancient ruins of Llactapata but ours did. So if you want a similar experience, book this exact tour where you’ll spend the night at Llactapata and watch the sunset with Machu Picchu in the distance.

Related Read: Machu Picchu is an iconic hike in South America – here are our favorite Machu Picchu hiking tours to make the process simpler!

6. Quilotoa Loop, Ecuador

• Location: Quito, Ecuador
• Duration: 3 – 4 days
• Distance: 30 kilometers (18.6 miles)
• Difficulty: Medium
• Type of trail: Loop

One of the best things to do in Quito, Ecuador is to hike the Quilotoa Loop. This 3 to 4 day hike is an epic adventure that has you hiking between small towns and enjoying breathtaking views.

The trail is most commonly hiked in this order: Latacunga – Sigchos – Isinlivi – Chugchilan – Quilotoa and finally back to Latacunga. In between these towns, you can also take buses to shorten your hiking distance. The highlight of the hike is the Quilota Crater Lake so visiting it last is what most people do.

The trail is only around 30 kilometers (18.6 miles), but don’t let that number fool you – the trail is difficult. In fact, depending on the weather you can expect strong winds and both cold or hot temperatures.

Although some people opt to camp along the way it’s really common to instead stay in hostels. That way, you don’t need to carry a tent or sleeping bag – saving you a lot of pack weight!

It’s easy to do this hike as part of a day trip from Quito. There are organized tours that include your transport and a local guide. This one costs $129 USD per person.

Related Read: Heading to Ecuador? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Banos, the adventure capital of Ecuador!

7. Two Brothers Hike, Brazil

• Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Duration: 3 hours
• Distance: 4 kilometers (2.5 miles)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Type of trail: Out and back

Without a doubt, the most unique hike on this list of best hikes in South America is the Two Brothers Hike (aka Dos Irmos) in Rio de Janeiro.

This is a short hike that actually starts in the Vidigal Favela and ends at the top of Two Brothers Mountain overlooking Copacabana Beach. On the way up you also get to stare down at Rocinha, the second-biggest favela in the world!

We did this particular guided Two Brothers Hike for sunrise for just $20 USD and it was really cool. We trekked up the mountain in the dark and then enjoyed the sunrise over one of South America’s most iconic cities. It was absolutely one of the best tours in Rio that we did and we loved our local guide because he knew the sections of the trail that aren’t as heavily trafficked.

After enjoying the views and the sunrise, we explored the hustle and bustle of the favela on the way down. You can do the hike with or without a guide, however, I recommend taking a guide and doing the sunrise tour because it will be an experience you won’t soon forget!

When it comes to the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro, the Two Brothers hike easily deserves a top spot!

8. Tayrona National Park, Colombia

• Location: 45 minutes drive outside of Santa Marta, Colombia
• Duration: 1-2 days
• Distance: Varies depending on the final beach location. Cabo San Juan is only 2 hours walking from the entrance.
• Difficulty: Easy
• Type of trail: Out and back

This is an easy hike, no hills, no altitude, no snow – only palm trees and beaches. Basically, Tayrona National Park is made up of a trail along the beach with various places to camp, sleep in a hammock, or rent a cabin.

The starting point is from the entrance of Tayrona National Park and along the hike are some pretty spectacular beaches that make for great stops where you can swim. You can also buy fresh coconuts perfect for quenching your thirst!

This is the most relaxing out of the hikes in South America mentioned in this blog. It only takes two hours of walking to reach my favorite beach, Cabo San Juan, where there is ice-cold beer for sale and crystal-clear water for swimming.

Hiking in Tayrona National Park is easily done without a guide and there will be tons of other backpackers to meet along the way. For more info check out our guide on where to stay in Tayrona National Park. It’s got all the info you need!

However, if you prefer the ease of using a guide that is still an option on a tour of Tayrona National Park. I like this guided walking tour to Cabo San Juan as it’s only $38 USD and includes lunch. You will also be able to interact with the Kogui Community and look to spot various types of monkeys, needle caiman, collared peccary, and more!

9. Laguna Torre, Argentina

• Location: El Chalten, Argentina
• Duration: 6 to 7 hours
• Distance: 18 kilometers (11 miles)
• Difficulty: Medium
• Type of trail: Out and back

Patagonia is filled with amazing things to do and one of the best is the day hike to Laguna Torre. This 18-kilometer (11 miles) out-and-back hike starts from the mountain town of El Chalten. From there, it’s a relatively flat walk to the lake.

The trail passes through some cool forest areas where you’ll hear and then hopefully see woodpeckers at work. Even if you don’t see them, just take a look at the trees – there are holes everywhere. There are also incredible landscape views of the Cerro Torre mountain throughout.

After a few hours, you’ll make it to the famous Laguna Torre. The lake is stunning and I’ve actually been to it twice now. Unfortunately both times I didn’t get the best weather but it was still an awesome hike!

Because it is a rather easy trail it tends to be super crowded so to avoid as much foot traffic as you can I’d recommend an early start (leaving town before sunrise). The good thing about this hike is that is clearly marked and well-maintained so it’s pretty straightforward to do without the help of a guide.

If you prefer the insights and knowledge a guide would provide you could look into this full-day trekking tour of Laguna Torre which includes transportation from El Chalten.

10. Rainbow Mountain, Peru

• Location: 3 hours drive from Cusco, Peru
• Duration: 6 hours
• Distance: 13 kilometers (8 miles)
• Difficulty: Medium/hard
• Type of trail: Out and back

Rainbow Mountain is one of the most challenging day hikes in South America. Although only a 13-kilometer (8 miles) hike, the elevation gain from Cusco (3,399 meters/13,120 feet) to the top of Rainbow Mountain (5,200 meters/17,060 feet) gives most people altitude sickness.

Despite its difficulty, Rainbow Mountain is one of the most spectacular places to visit in Peru. The mountain is covered in 7 different distinct colors caused by minerals in the sand. Basically, it is exactly what it is called, a rainbow-colored mountain.

What’s so unique about Rainbow Mountain is it was only discovered in 2015! The reason? Well, global warming has begun melting the thick blanket of snow that used to cover the mountain all year round. Now in the warmer months, it’s completely exposed.

The hike is done on a day trip from Cusco that typically begins at the crack of dawn. For those who struggle, you can take a horse tour or ATV tour to the top and also buy oxygen bottles from locals along the trail.

We chose to do this super-affordable rainbow mountain tour for just $49 USD. You get picked up from your hotel a 3 am but it’s worth it to beat out a lot of the other tourists! This tour also includes a breakfast and buffet lunch which is a win in my book!

Rainbow Mountain is one of the best hikes in South America because it is so unique, I mean, who doesn’t want to see a rainbow mountain!?

Related Read: Planning on visiting Peru? Check out our complete guide to traveling in Peru.

11. Santa Cruz Trek, Peru

• Location: Huaraz, Peru
• Duration: 3 – 4 days
• Distance: 50 kilometers (31 miles)
• Difficulty: Hard
• Type of trail: Point to point

The Santa Cruz Trek is a moderately strenuous 3 to 4 day hike in the Cordillera Blanca just outside of Huaraz, Peru. The trail has you hiking by colossal mountain peaks, emerald lakes, spectacular views, and waterfalls.

Interestingly enough, the Alpamayo and the Artesonraju mountains that you will see on the way are what inspired the Paramount logo!

The Santa Cruz Trek is just over 50 kilometers (31 miles) long and involves hiking to elevations as high as 4,760 meters (15,600 feet) above sea level. Each day you’ll hike for around 6 to 7 hours camping at remote campsites. The temperatures are freezing but the hike’s beauty makes it all worth it.

This trail is commonly hiked without a guide from Huaraz and those with their own equipment can hike the trail rather cheaply. If you are inexperienced then you can also join a guided tour like this one that includes your camping gear, a mule to carry most of your gear, water, and all of your meals.

The only separate fee that will be incurred for each hiker is 65 SOL ($17.50 USD) which is for the admission fee to enter Huascarán National Park.

When it comes to trekking in Peru, the Santa Cruz Trek is one of the most epic!

12. Mount Fitz Roy, Argentina

• Location: El Chalten, Argentina
• Duration: 7 – 8 hours
• Distance: 21 kilometers (13 miles)
• Difficulty: Medium/Hard
• Type of trail: Out and back

My favorite day hike in Patagonia is the hike to Laguna de Los Tres commonly called the Mt Fitz Roy hike and it offers incredible views, impressive mountain peaks, and clear lakes.

This free hike in Patagonia literally started from our hostel in El Chalten – it doesn’t get much easier than that!

The hike to the lake which is at the base of Mount Fitz Roy is just over 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) each way proving to be a long day hike. Although long, the hike to Mount Fitz Roy is relatively flat for the first ¾. However, the last hour and a half will literally have you rock climbing to the top!

Once you crawl over the last peak it all becomes worth the climb. You’ll be amazed when you first see Mt Fitz Roy and Launa de Los Tres!

The hike is spectacular the entire way and there are several lookouts to stop at. There is also plenty of nature around so don’t forget to keep an eye out (or should I say ear open) for woodpeckers! The forest areas along the trail are full of them!

Even though it’s very possible to navigate this hike on your own there is also this is a full-day guided tour of the Mount Fitz Roy/Laguna de los Tres hike that departs from El Chalten at 8 am. You’ll be accompanied by a guide the whole time, so this option offers peace of mind for those nervous about hiking.

If you’re curious, summiting Mt Fitz Roy is not possible for most people as it is too steep and dangerous to trek so you’d need to be a seriously skilled rock climber to even attempt it.

Overall, Mount Fitz Roy is an amazing free hike that everyone who plans on backpacking in South America should do!

13. Vale do Pati, Brazil

• Location: Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil
• Duration: 4 – 7 days
• Distance: 40 – 60 kilometers (25 – 37 miles)
• Difficulty: Medium/hard
• Type of trail: Point to point

Brazil was the country we hiked the least during our trip through South America. To be honest, I’m not sure why, however, I’m so glad we did a couple!

One of the best hikes we did in Brazil and the only multi-day trail was the famous Vale do Pati hike in Chapada Diamantina National Park. This epic trail was unlike any other on this list. No mountain views, beaches, or jungle – just epic canyons, giant waterfalls, and the sound of nature. Seriously, this trail is so off-the-beaten path and easy to get to yourself!

Vale do Pati can be hiked in a few different ways however, we did the 5-day trek and used this awesome guide from Travelsauro. Going off of his recommendation we skipped the shorter 3-day tours and enjoyed an epic adventure. Of course, if you’re not the most experienced hiker you can do tours.

The trail is most commonly hiked from the town of Lençois around 6 hours by bus from Salvador. This is what we did and we actually loved exploring Chapada Diamantina National Park from this tiny town!

14. Laguna 69, Peru

• Location: Huaraz, Peru
• Duration: 8 to 10 hours
• Distance: 12 kilometers (7.5 miles)
• Difficulty: Hard
• Type of trail: Out and back

Above I said that Rainbow Mountain was “one of” the hardest day hikes on this list. Well, Laguna 69 tops that and takes the crown for the hardest day hike. This awesome but challenging day hike from Huaraz has you hiking only 12 kilometers but climbing 800 meters (2,600 feet) in elevation from 3,800 (12,500 feet) meters to 4,600 meters (15,100 feet.)

What makes it hard is the fact it’s straight up and you really don’t get time to acclimatize. By the top, I had started to get a headache and once I was done I was feeling the pain of altitude sickness.

Of course, I didn’t take altitude medication because I never think I need it until it’s too late! Oh well, I know for next time!

Once you do reach the lake, you’ll be amazed it literally shines blue! Honestly, it’s so breathtaking!

Laguna 69 is most commonly hiked on a tour like this one that costs around $35 USD. Almost everybody opts for this option in order to get to the trailhead which is about 1.5 hours from Huaraz. On the drive there you will stop in the town of Huashao to fill up on a hearty breakfast.

Just note that the hike is self-guided so you are essentially paying for transportation but it is straightforward enough to do without a guide.

15. Mirador las Torres, Chile

• Location: Torres del Paine National Park
• Duration: 8 to 9 hours
• Distance: 18 kilometers (11 miles)
• Difficulty: Hard
• Type of trail: Out and back

Last but certainly not least is the famous Mirador Las Torres hike. This one day hike is actually part of the Torres del Paine W and O treks. However, many people simply can’t get campsites or accommodation on the trail so they opt to do the day hike.

In my opinion, it’s a great option as you’ll get to see the highlight of the trail, Mirrador Las Tores, in one day. I will warn you though, it’s a hard hike.

The best way to hike the trail is by getting one of the early buses from Puerto Natales or even better, staying at a hotel in Torres del Paine National Park or taking a guided tour such as this one. It includes round-trip transport from your hotel in Puerto Natales, trekking poles, and snacks, and costs $125 USD per person.

The entire trail takes 8 to 9 hours if you hike up and back in a day. Another option is to stay in the Refugio called Chileno for a night. If you do, you can hike up to Las Torres the next morning at 3 am and spend the famous sunrise at the viewpoint (pictured above.) I’ve actually done this twice and loved it both times.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for reading! (Views on the Huayhuash!)

South America is filled with amazing hikes just waiting to be explored. The best part is, many of them aren’t overcrowded and they’re cheap to do.

Hopefully, this diverse collection of the best hikes in South America has you inspired to pack your hiking boots. If you have any questions about any of the hikes on this list, please leave them below!

Thanks for reading! If you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out all our South American blogs! I’ve also included some other related guides below.

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