As Peru’s hiking capital, Huaraz has surely crossed the radar of any adventurous soul planning a trip to Peru. In fact, if you’re not careful, you could eat away your entire adventure on its web of trails through the Cordillera Blanca. For some, that’s exactly what they’re trying to do. For others, perhaps yourself, a simple taste is sufficient. If you’re after a mere sampling of the nature and gnarly trails nestled near Huaraz, consider opting for one of these 9 day hikes in Huaraz. We’ve conveniently listed them in order from easy to challenging.
1. Maria Josefa Trail
Quick Details:
• Distance: 2.9 km / 1.8 miles
• Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
This short Huaraz hike is mostly downhill. The Maria Josefa trail begins at the glass-like Lake Chinancocha, then continues through Queñual forest and past ancient ruins, all over the course of a quick hour to an hour and a half on the trail.
2. Portachuelo de Llanganuco
Quick Details:
• Distance: 1.9 km / 1.18 miles
• Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Similarly quick, yet slightly more challenging, is the Portachuelo de Llanganuco day hike. It too follows a steady decline in elevation from start to finish, with little to no ascents along the way. Besides the cloud-shaded Llanganuco Valley views, your jaw will drop at the sight of the snow-capped peaks of Huascaran, Chopicallqui, Huandoy, Pisco, and Chacraraju that greet you on the trail.
3. Huaca Punta
Quick Details:
• Distance: 4.7 km / 2.92 miles
• Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
This there-and-back Huaraz day hike will take you from 3,719 m.a.s.l. up to 3,879 m.a.s.l., with a summit-capping midpoint at Huaca Punta, a viewpoint situated on the remains of a pre-Inca site. The short hike starts and ends on the scenic shores of Lake Willcacocha.
4. Lake Rajucolta
Quick Details:
• Distance: 13.8 km / 8.57 miles
• Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Covering more ground than nearly any of the other day hikes on this list, the hike to Lake Rajucolta still only takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. It’s there-and-back style, leaving from the Huascaran National Park Control and involves about 550-meter change in elevation to and from the mountain-wrapped lake.
5. Willcahuain – Monterrey
Quick Details:
• Distance: 10.4 km / 6.46 miles
• Duration: 4.5 to 5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
This full-day hike adventure in Huaraz begins in the village of Marian and ends at the thermal springs in Monterrey. Follow the ancient trail of Chaquinani and visit the archaeological site of Willcahuain, a set of Wari ruins that mark the midpoint of this roughly 10-kilometer hike.
6. Lake Churup
Quick Details:
• Distance: 7 km / 4.34 miles
• Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
The high altitude Lake Churup is worth the nearly 1.5-hour climb to get to it. Once there, you’ll find yourself in the most peaceful surroundings with fantastic views of nearby Mt. Churup and Huaraz in the distance. It’s the perfect spot to rest and relax before following the same trail back down. Many use this moderately challenging hike as an acclimatization hike for longer multi-day treks through the Cordillera.
7. Willcacocha Lake
Quick Details:
• Distance: 5.3 km / 3.29 miles
• Duration: 3 to 4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
This scenic full-day hike to the grassy meadows of Lake Willcacocha is mostly uphill with a total ascent of 737 meters (2,417 ft). Unlike many of the other hikes on this list, this day hike gives you a taste of the Cordillera Negra and delivers spectacular views of the adjacent Cordillera Blanca peaks.
8. Pukaventana
Quick Details:
• Distance: 9 km / 5.59 miles
• Duration: 4.5 to 5.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
From the city of Huaraz, hike straight up into the city’s nearby hills on this circuit hike. En route, you’ll reach a spectacular viewpoint of the entire Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra ranges known as the Pukaventana or “red window.” The hike involves nearly as much uphill terrain as downhill, but offers plenty of fresh Andean landscape to experience without ever retracing a step.
9. Lake 69
Quick Details:
• Distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles
• Duration: 6 to 7 hours
• Difficulty: Challenging
Perhaps the most popular of the Huaraz day hikes, Lake 69 is a challenging 15-kilometer there-and-back hike in Huascaran National Park. The trail ascends to the aquamarine-colored Lake 69 at 4,609 meters above sea level (15,121 ft.) and brings you face-to-face with plenty of snow-clad peaks and glacial lakes along the way. Challenging though the hike may be, most hikers manage to complete it without any issues, no matter their fitness level.
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