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The Best Hiking in Peru

Looking for the best hiking in Peru? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Peru. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top hiking spots in and near Peru

  • Anta, Peru

    Backpack the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

    4.8
    44.5 mi
    Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa to Wayracpunku (9 miles)The trail starts at 12477 ft and proceeds towards Salkantay Pass at 15090 ft. It's a gradual climb and incredibly beautiful. From the pass, it's a short downhill to the campground in Huayracmachay at 12477 ft. Even if the weather is sunny and cle...
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  • Aguas Calientes, Peru

    Hike Huayna Picchu at Machu Picchu

    5.0
    2.4 mi / 1000 ft gain
    The 1,000ft climb up Huayna Picchu is one of the highlights of a visit to Machu Picchu. This diamond shaped mountain looms directly behind the site and provides a unique perspective of Machu Picchu, allowing you to see the amazing engineering that went into this site. You start the hike on the fa...
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  • Yungay, Peru

    Hike to Laguna 69 in Cordillera Blanca

    5.0
    8.1 mi / 2624.7 ft gain
    This is one of those hikes I'll be telling my grandchildren about. Heck, I'll be taking my grandchildren here just so I can do it again!  Hidden in the Cordillera Blanca lies a turquoise lake fed by snow packed mountains and tiny waterfalls. This is not a hike for the faint of heart. Beginning at...
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  • Aguas Calientes, Peru

    Hike Machu Picchu Mountain

    5.0
    1.2 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Getting There: When you're purchasing your ticket for Machu Picchu, there is the option to add on "Machu Picchu Mountain". To do this hike, you need to purchase this add-on. Like Huayna Picchu, only a certain number of people are allowed up per day, so make sure you purchase your ticket ahead of ...
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  • Caylloma, Peru

    Trek Colca Canyon

    5.0
    14 mi / 3675 ft gain
    Colca Canyon is an amazing hike and truly an awe-inspiring place to explore... it's just a little tricky to get to.Notes Before Hand: 1) In the Peruvian city of Arequipa, you will need to take a 5-6 hour bus to Cabanaconde to reach the Canyon. Tickets for the bus can purchased at main bus statio...
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  • Urubamba, Peru

    Backpack the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

    26.5 mi / 6279 ft gain
    Day 1: Cusco to Ayapata (10 miles) The trail starts at 8,923 ft at the main gate operating the permit and passport check-ins at KM 82, Piscachucho. You'll cross the Urubamba River on a suspension bridge and proceed towards Ayapata at 10,829 ft. It's an easy day on the first day and should take ab...
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  • Abancay, Peru

    Backpack to Choquequirao

    5.0
    28 mi / 9523 ft gain
    Choquequirao, located in Apurimac Canyon, is a remote historical site of the ancient Incas also known as “the Lost Machu Picchu.” Most treks to Choquequirao take 4 to 5 days as you must cover 28 miles (45 km) and hike up and down the Apurimac Canyon.Day 1: When you arrive at the trail you can see...
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  • Yungay, Peru

    Backpack the Santa Cruz Valley: Vaqueria to Cashapampa

    28 mi / 3445 ft gain
    Permits and Logistics:You can do this hike in fewer days if interested as there are many National Park approved campsites to choose from. According to the "Casa de Guias" the Huascaran National Park may start cracking down on independent trekkers who are choosing to camp outside of the designate...
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  • Qosqo, Peru

    Hike to the Devil's Balcony

    3.1 mi / 656.2 ft gain
    Of all the hikes within the proximity of the city of Cusco, this one is the coolest. Not only that, but no one knows about it. It is a local's only secret. The only reason I know about it was because I lived there for years.There are two approaches to the hike. One that is for beginners, and is a...
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  • Bolognesi, Peru

    Trek the Huayhuash Trail in Peru

    81 mi
    I wanted to share my most recent adventure in hopes to inspire some of you to do it as well!  Everyone thinks of the Inka Trail when they think of Peru, but Peru has sooo much more to offer, and at much more reasonable prices too!  I did the Huayhuash trail self guided and I spent about a total o...
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  • Carhuaz, Peru

    Backpack the Laguna 69 - Pisco Base Camp Loop

    5.0
    Most people opt for a day trip to Laguna 69. You'll get picked up by your tour in Huaraz early in the morning, drive 3 hours to the trailhead, hike to the laguna (which is spectacular), take pictures with dozens of other people, and then head back down to return to Huaraz. Here's a more adventuro...
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  • Yungay, Peru

    Hike Laguna Paron

    5 mi / 3000 ft gain
    You have options for this adventure: One is to do a day trip alone to Laguna Paron. Another is to go with a guide/tour company. And lastly, is to do a trek without a company to the lake and what lies beyond. Depending on your skill level, timeframe and any other factors that may arise, some of th...
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  • Anta, Peru

    Hike to the Top of Cerro Yanaoaoa

    6.8 mi / 4068.2 ft gain
    The route is access fairly easily from Sorayapampa. You follow the trail to the west of town, towards the lake. as you work your way up the gully you get to south western trail. Take this upwards. You can follow the trail up to the Incan Cross, itself a marvelous view point. From the Incan cross ...
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  • Písac, Peru

    Hike to the Pisac Ruins

    5.0
    2 mi / 2000 ft gain
    The Pisac ruins bear a striking resemblance to Machu Picchu, just on a smaller scale. Fascinatingly, the drainage systems and agricultural terraces built in 1440 along with the rest of the ruins are still in use today. The Pisac ruins are believed to have defended the Southern entrance to the Sac...
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  • Mollepata District, Anta, Peru

    Backpack the Ancascocha Trail to Machu Picchu

    35 mi / 30000 ft gain
    Spanning just 4 days, but featuring 7 summits over 15,000 feet (and topping out at nearly 17,000'), this trail is not for the faint of heart.  Since the trail is extremely remote, permission must be attained from the locals. This is most easily done through a local guide company (I went with Kill...
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  • Distrito de San Pedro de Casta, Peru

    Hike to Marcahuasi and the Ancient Figures

    3 mi / 3280.8 ft gain
    The trekking starts in San Pedro de Casta at 3,000 meters from sea level and is a route of 4.9 km and up to 4,000 meters above sea level. The path has a viewpoints where you can take many photos of the valley and some farms.After 5 hrs of walking we got to The Anfiteatro, a concourse surrounded b...
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