Hiking and trekking adventures can be found throughout all the countries of Central and South America. The range of venues is wide and includes mountains, lakes, deserts, jungles and glaciers. Activity levels vary from easy to moderate to strenuous and hiking can be incorporated into almost any program.
Below are a few of the prominent destinations.
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ARGENTINA
In Los Glaciares National Park, Mt. Fitz Roy (Chalten) massif is an impressive granite monolith group with vertical walls dropping thousands of meters amid glaciers and snow.
The fabled Perito Moreno glacier is one of the few in the world that is advancing.
The Lake District is very much an alpine environment and the perfect setting for a wide variety of hiking.
The Northwest is the country's most historical and colorful region. It offers hikers everything from leisurely hikes around picturesque Indian villages to remote hikes in stark valleys of rare geological formations and ancient rock carvings to steep mountain climbs of the Andes.
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CHILE
Torres del Paine National Park is one of the great scenic wonders of the world. All serious trekkers should consider this destination a "must do" at least once in their lifetime.
The Atacama Desert in the north affords opportunities to hike ancient Indian trails, visit geysers and explore tiny villages.
In the Lake District, hike the Colonist Trail, established by the first colonists who explored the area in the 1850s: Orsono Volcano, Lake Llanquihue and Lake Todos Los Santos
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COSTA
RICA
Over 60% of Costa Rica is dedicated to national parks, reserves and protected areas. Nature walks and hikes in some of the pristine forests can be very rewarding. The most popular destinations for hiking are Monteverde, a cloud forest reserve, Arenal Volcano and Corcovado National Park. |
ECUADOR
The impressive Andes Mountains run north to south and divide the country virtually in half. Hiking and trekking in the highlands can be done from numerous locations and at
various degrees of difficulty, from easy to strenuous.
Cotopaxi National Park is Ecuador's oldest protected area. Hiking and trekking is very popular around Cotopaxi.
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PANAMA
The National Parks of Panama offer many options for the hiking and trekking enthusiast.
From Chiriqui on the border shared with Costa Rica, to the Darien Province on the far south eastern border, there are many great options for hiking in Panama. |
PATAGONIA
The Patagonia region offers some of the best hiking and trekking in South America. Trekking at the Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate in Argentina is unforgettable. The village of El Chalten, at the entrance to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, is known as one of the greatest hiking destinations in the world. Explore the mountains of Fitz Roy and Los Torres, along with the lakes, glaciers and nearby forests of this area. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is well known among hikers. From easy day hikes to challenging overnight treks, this is what brings so many adventure travelers to Chile. Hikers can opt for a day trip to the three Towers of Paine or trek for several days within the national park. The Lake Distict is famous for it's bright emerald and turquoise lakes whose surfaces reflect the snow-capped volcanoes and surrounding forests. This region has countless national parks and nature reserves with great hiking options.
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PERU
One of the top inspiring treks is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This classic trek is generally considered strenuous. An alternative is to take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu and hike on trails around the ruins. |
