Hiking Route
Santiago – Yerbaloca (25 kms.)
Yerbaloca is a very cool National Park, with lots of fans here at Wicked South America team. It has camping facilities, and it’s a sanctuary of nature situated in a wide valley carved out by the slow movement of a gargantuan glacier. It’s a very nice hike with a gently climb. Cross the stream and head up the slowly climbing, well-worn trail. The cost to entry the park is $2000 and camping another $2000.
Yerbaloca – Farellones (57 kms.)
No need to go back to Santiago if you already got some supplies. We took back the road to Farellones, to end up spending the night at curve 40. If you´re lucky enough to have a not polluted sky, you can have a perfect view from Santiago valley and its surrounding areas.
Next day we continued on the road to the top of the mountain, and found another group of trekkers who asked us if we wanted to join them… of course we did. We were not able to keep track of them, but they really recommended us to go to Cajon del Maipo, a place with much easier treks than Farellones.
Santiago – La Campana (98 kms.)
La Campana
On route 5 heading north we reach Ocoa, one on the 3 sectors of the La Campana Park, and according to us, the best sector. Head up to Ocoa town and then to Rabuco and follow the directions. We found a lot of camping and BBQ sectors to make our stay as comfortable as possibly. One or two nights here are recommended. Trekking options are available. On top of La Campana Hill, not on a cloudy day you can see how skinny Chile is: you can see the Argentina border to the east and the Pacific Ocean to
the west. (Entrance price: $1500 CLP, camping $ 6000 no drinking water available)
Santiago – Cajon del Maipo (52 kms.)
Back to the city we love/hate to get supplies and take the road again, this time to Cajon del Maipo. The highlight of the Maipo Canyon is El Morado National Park. The entrance to the park and camping cost $1500. The road from Santiago to El Morado winds along the bank of the Maipo River. On the first section, from Vertientes to San José de Maipo, you will pass by the green lawns of many private picnic and camping areas. We recommend continuing on, as crowds thin out the farther you get from Santiago. You can find many places to park your vehicle and stay for free further away.
From Santiago to El Morado on Route G-25 that connects with Puente Alto and San José de Maipo – El Volcán. To reach this road from Santiago you have three options: 1) Vicuña Mackenna Avenue to Puente Alto heading south, from there take the route San José de Maipo, 2) On the Avenue La Florida heading south, the way that binds the way in the sector Vizcachas and 3) From the town of Pirque it´s a route that connects with Route G-25 on the Bridge El Toyo. El Morado is 93 km away from Santiago 2.5 hrs approx.
