Cerro Manquehue — Local services in Vitacura

Just mesmerizing!

I visited Manquehue on Sunday 6.09.2024. We were so lucky that it did rain the previous night and the sky was clear, no pollution line at all over Santiago. On the not so good side, the trail was a bit muddy and it made it difficult to go down.

On my way to Manquehue it was a bit confusing to find where the trail starts, so I am adding a picture as a reference. I took an UBER on my way there. It was about $12,000 CLP starting my trip in Kennedy Mall.

Once you start the trail, is easy to find the way. It is well signaled all the way up. It took me about 2 hours and a half on my way up and almost the same time on my way down but we saw more experienced people doing much less time.

Totally recommended when visiting...

Cerro Manquehue is not your casual Saturday afternoon hike. Throngs of mountaineering Chileans accessorised with trekking outfits and hiking poles populated this near-vertical mountain escalation. Shoes with a good grip are a must, due to slippery, sandy patches. At a conservative rate upwards, the hike takes at least 2 hours to the top, but I overheard some more experienced trekkers boasting about their 1 hour ascent. Along the way you'll find yourself in different categories of brush, tree, and stone at each major elevation gain, and once you've made it to the top, a view facing peaks of snow-covered Andes is a glorious reward. This deceptively dangerous climb up Santiago's highest peak is a Chilean...

Google or Uber to 10300 Vía Roja, Vitacura. That will get you to the trailhead. Although the trail is marked pretty well, have a GPS device as a backup. I recommend Osmand. Do not underestimate this hike. It's pretty tough. Bring two liters of water, maybe more for hot days. Also, have adequate protection against the sun. CRITICALLY--use adequate footwear!!! My three-quarters Columbia hiking shoes were NOT adequate, particularly for the slippery descent. I fell about six times and could have hurt myself. I am a reasonably fit, 45-year-old man and I made it up in about 1:15 minutes. So don't back down from this hike. By the way, the views...