• Difficulty: Mild
• Distance: 10.8 km
• Duration: Four hours
• Max elevation: 3,939 m
• Start/end point: Wilcahuain Village

Laguna Radian is a pleasant day trek that transitions from a wide gravel path through open, rolling hills to a moderately steep and narrow footpath. Just under 11 kilometres long with 560 metres of elevation gain, Laguna Radian is a great option for an acclimation hike.

The trail begins with a gentle incline through tranquil forest and passes a few remote residences. After the first three kilometres, the trail becomes fairly steep and offers incredible views of Cordillera Negra behind you as you ascend. Once at the laguna, you’ll see a magnificent backdrop of snowy peaks and their reflection in the laguna, including Huascaran, the highest peak in Peru.

Need to know

Located in the Wilcahuain Village, the trailhead is 30 minutes by vehicle from Huaraz. A taxi will likely cost 40 to 50/S whereas public transport by combi will cost 2/S. To go by combi, go to the intersection of 13 De December & Jr Cajamara in the city centre and exit the combi at the Wilcahuain ruins. The trailhead is about a five minute walk from the combi stop along a dirt road and through a bit of forest. When you reach a sign for Laguna Radian, turn right and continue past several farms. From there, the trail has a clear footpath and is easy to follow. Be cautious of aggressive dogs on the trail. While I personally did not encounter any dogs on this hike, other trekkers I met in the city centre warned me of their unnerving confrontations.