• Difficulty: Mild
• Distance: 3.4 km
• Duration: Two hours
• Max elevation: 5,050 m
• Start/end point: Catac village, take the detour towards the glacier and start from the parking lot.

Located in the southern part of the Cordillera Blanca in Huascaran National Park, the bowl-shaped Pastori glacier sits at 5,250 metres and has lost one third of its size in the last 30 years. This short and beautiful day hike is one of the most popular in Huaraz for its easy accessibility and spectacular, close-up views of the glacier.

The path to the glacier only takes about 30 to 45 minutes, has a very mild incline, and is paved most of the way. The path travels atop beautiful barren rock with a view of other snowcaps in the background. If you're planning on doing some big treks, this one makes a great warm up and acclimatisation hike.

Need to know

Located three hours from Huaraz by vehicle, there is no public transport to the glacier and so the most practical and economical option is to book a guided tour. Taxis are much more expensive and difficult to arrange for the return trip. Be aware that for most guided tours for trails located a few hours from Huaraz, the trail can be quite crowded. While the landscape is incredibly beautiful and serene, you won’t find much solitude on this hike.