Rachel is a travel writer and artist with a passion for hiking in the mountains. She has spent many months trekking in the mountains of South America, from the Peruvian Andes to the wilds of Patagonia.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 6.3 km
- Duration: Three hours
- Max elevation: 3,700 m
- Start/end point: San Pedro Village
Another stunning and easily accessible day hike, Wilcacocha Lake is located 30 minutes away from Huaraz in Cordillera Negra. Reaching 3,700 m, Wilcacocha lake is situated at lower altitude than the majority of other day hikes, making it ideal for acclimation.
Taking about three hours round trip, the trail has a fairly mild incline and overlooks beautiful green hills and provides spectacular views of the cordillera Blanca in the distance. While a pleasant hike, don’t expect the laguna to be a crystalline turquoise like so many other alpine lakes in the Huascaran National Park. Wilcacocha Lake is much smaller and can be a bit muddy as it isn’t fed by a glacier. Although, it is still beautiful nonetheless.
Need to know
While guided tours are available in Huaraz, I recommend doing this trek independently. Taking public transport is relatively simple, much less expensive, and will allow you to avoid the crowds of going with a bus of 20 other trekkers. To go by public transport, take a combi from the north side of Antonio Raymondi road. The departure site is conveniently marked on google maps, as “Colectivo to Laguna Wilcacocha”. Note that there is no entrance fee.
At a glance
Destinations
Huaraz
Activity
Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Responsible Travel, Slow Travel, Solo TravelPhysical Level
Moderate
Season
May - September
Duration
1 day
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