When people think of hiking in South America, famous trails like the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or Patagonia’s Torres del Paine come to mind. But the continent is home to many lesser-known yet equally spectacular hikes that offer breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and immersive cultural experiences. If you’re an adventurous traveler seeking the path less traveled, here are 12 of South America’s most epic hikes you’ve probably never heard of.
1. Cerro Castillo Circuit, Chile
Located in Chilean Patagonia, the Cerro Castillo Circuit offers stunning alpine scenery without the crowds of Torres del Paine. The 43-kilometer trek takes hikers through valleys, rivers, and rugged mountains, culminating in the view of the striking Cerro Castillo (Castle Mountain) with its glacier-fed lagoon.
2. Cocora Valley, Colombia
The Cocora Valley is known for its towering wax palms, the tallest palm trees in the world. This hike through lush cloud forests offers surreal views of the palms towering over the landscape, as well as the chance to spot colorful hummingbirds and toucans.
3. El Altar Trek, Ecuador
El Altar, an extinct volcano in Ecuador’s Sangay National Park, is a hidden gem for trekkers. The challenging two-day hike leads to the stunning Laguna Amarilla, a yellow crater lake surrounded by jagged peaks. The trail offers solitude and epic views of Ecuador’s highlands.
4. Los Nevados National Park, Colombia
This trek in central Colombia takes hikers through Los Nevados National Park, home to glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and active volcanoes. The multi-day hike can include climbing the Nevado del Tolima volcano, offering stunning views over the Andean landscape.
5. Huayhuash Circuit, Peru
While Peru’s Inca Trail is famous, the Huayhuash Circuit remains a hidden treasure. This challenging, high-altitude trek takes hikers through the remote Cordillera Huayhuash mountain range. The trail offers breathtaking views of snow-covered peaks, turquoise lakes, and glaciers.
6. Chapada Diamantina, Brazil
Chapada Diamantina National Park in Brazil’s Bahia region is a lesser-known hiking destination with stunning waterfalls, caves, and plateaus. The multi-day trek to the Fumaça Waterfall, one of the tallest in Brazil, is a highlight, offering panoramic views of the lush valley below.
7. Quebrada de los Cóndores, Argentina
Located in Argentina’s La Rioja province, this lesser-known trek offers the chance to see Andean condors in their natural habitat. The hike through the remote Quebrada de los Cóndores valley is perfect for nature lovers, with its dramatic cliffs and wide-open landscapes.
8. Santa Cruz Trek, Peru
This multi-day hike in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca is often overlooked in favor of more famous trails, but it offers some of the best high-altitude scenery in the country. Hikers pass through lush valleys, alpine meadows, and turquoise lakes, all framed by towering snow-capped peaks.
9. Pico da Bandeira, Brazil
Pico da Bandeira, one of Brazil’s highest mountains, offers an epic hike for those looking to escape the crowds. The trail leads hikers through dense forests, past waterfalls, and up to the summit, where they can enjoy panoramic views over Brazil’s southeastern highlands.
10. Salkantay Trek, Peru
Often overshadowed by the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek is a rugged and less-traveled route to Machu Picchu. This challenging trek takes hikers past glaciers, cloud forests, and lush valleys, offering a more diverse range of ecosystems than the classic Inca Trail.
11. Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica
Though Costa Rica is often associated with beaches and rainforests, Cerro Chirripó offers an epic high-altitude trek. The hike to the summit takes you through cloud forests and alpine tundra, and the views from the top stretch across both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
12. Cerro Piltriquitrón, Argentina
This relatively short but rewarding hike in Patagonia offers stunning views over the Río Azul Valley and the Andes. The trail passes through forests and up to a ridge where hikers can see panoramic vistas of snow-capped peaks and glaciers, all while avoiding the tourist crowds.
South America is a hiker’s paradise, with countless trails that remain undiscovered by most travelers. These 12 epic hikes offer solitude, stunning landscapes, and a chance to connect with nature in a truly unique way. Whether you’re exploring remote valleys in Argentina or climbing snow-capped peaks in Peru, these hidden gems should be on every adventurer’s list. So lace up your hiking boots and set off on a journey less traveled across South America’s rugged and beautiful wilderness.
