A Description of Each Lake in Huaraz and How to Reach It

The mountains surrounding Huaraz are home to countless turquoise lagoons, many of which can only be reached on foot via a lengthy day hike or multi-day trek. Fortunately, that’s exactly what most travelers in Huaraz are after anyway. Here’s a look at 11 of the most hike-worthy lakes in Huaraz and the trails that will lead you straight to them.

Laurel Thompson

1. Laguna 69

The Hike: Laguna 69 Hike

This glacier-fed lake in Huascaran National Park sits at the foot of the Chacraraju Mountain at an altitude of 4,609 meters above sea level (15,121 ft.). The hike to Laguna 69 goes by the same name as the lake and takes about 10 hours roundtrip from Huaraz to complete, with about 6 to 7 total hours of hiking. An absolutely stunning lake in Huaraz.

2. Laguna Paron

The Hike: Laguna Paron Hike

This strikingly turquoise-blue lake in Huaraz is set amidst the rock faces beloved by climbers. Laguna Paron is the scenic starting point for the Laguna Paron day hike, an 8-hour roundtrip affair from Huaraz that involves about 1.5 to 2 hours of hiking. You’ll glimpse several mountains en route, including Artesonraju, Pyramid, Chacraraju, Huandoy, Caraz, and Sphinx.

3. Laguna Chinancocha

The Hike: Maria Josefa Trail

This glassy lake rests at the trailhead for the Maria Josefa Trail, an easy 1 to 1.5-hour hike through Queñual forest and past ancient ruins. The lake and the hike that pairs so nicely with it are on nearly every list of must-do Huaraz hikes, and for good reason. The scenery is breathtaking and the trail is nearly entirely downhill. The easy hike to this lake in Huaraz makes for a relatively relaxing day.

4. Laguna Auquiscocha

The Hike: Auquiscocha Lake Hike

Nestled alongside granite cliffs and surrounded by magnificent mountain peaks that scrape the heavens, the lake in Huaraz known as Laguna Auquiscocha can only be reached via the Catay Valley trails. You’ll meander through grassy meadows and native forest, ever with the nearby 4,000-meter+ peaks within view.

5. Laguna Llaca

The Hike: Vallunaraju Climb

To visit this high altitude lake in Huaraz, you’ll have to climb Mt. Vallunaraju, a 5,686-meter peak, or at least get yourself to its base camp at 4,447 m.a.s.l. Laguna Llaca is just one of the many spectacular views you’ll snag while ascending and descending this gnarly mountain’ summit over the course of three days.

6. Laguna Churup

The Hike: Churup Lake Hike

Deep blue and reflecting the icy peak of Churup Mountain, Laguna Churup is a sight to see at 4,450 m.a.s.l. (14,600 ft.). The hike to reach this pristine lake in Huaraz is moderately strenuous, but perfect for acclimatizing for those longer treks through the Cordillera Blanca.

7. Laguna Rajucolta

The Hike: Rajucolta Lake Hike

Snow-capped peaks and native flora greet you on the approach to this beautiful lake in Huascaran National Park. The hike isn’t so much a hike as it is a chance to immerse yourself in the spectacular mountain setting and dizzying heights of 4,050 m.a.s.l.

8. Laguna Ahuac

The Hike: Wilcawain & Lake Ahuac Hike

Ahuac Lake sits at the end of a two-hour hike through fields tended by farmers and remote villages dotted with adobe homes. The trailhead itself is a pre-Inca archaeological site called Wilcawain. To call a visit to this turquoise lake in Huaraz an adventure would be an understatement, as this mystically beautiful region will delight all of your senses.

9. Laguna Willcacocha

The Hike: Willcacocha Lake Hike

The most unique aspect of Willcacocha Lake, as compared to every other lake in Huaraz featured on this list, is its location in the Cordillera Negra with views that look out over the paralleling Cordillera Blanca. The hike to it takes about four hours and passes through wildflower-laced countryside and adobe villages full of friendly Quechua-speaking locals.

10. Laguna Jahuacocha

The Hike: The Best of Cordillera Huayhuash Trek

The 6-day trek through the Cordillera Huayhuash culminates with a visit to this stunning mountain lake in Huaraz. After five days of traversing mountain pass after mountain pass, the serene Jahuacocha Lake is the ultimate finish line and the perfect setting to reflect on all that you’ve seen in the Huayhuash since Day 1.

11. Laguna Cullicocha

The Hike: Alpamayo Trek

If you’re prepared to tackle 10 days of trekking through the Cordillera Blanca, your reward will be the postcard views of Cullicocha Lake, an azure blue lagoon framed by the three peaks of Santa Cruz. This lake still contains a pre-Inca aqueduct that local farmers annually repair in a grand festival as its life-giving waters still hydrate the farms of the valley below it.