Table of Contents

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• Why Huaraz Deserves a Spot on Your Itinerary

• Where Is Huaraz and How Do You Get There?

• The Best Hikes Around Huaraz

• Why I Loved Akilpo Hostel

• Beyond Hiking: Other Adventures in Huaraz

• Where to Stay in Huaraz

• The Best Restaurant in Huaraz: Hierba Buena

• Final Thoughts

Why Huaraz Deserves a Spot on Your Itinerary

If you’re planning a trip to Peru and only thinking about Cusco and Machu Picchu — pause. Huaraz is the hiking capital of Peru and one of the most breathtaking (and breath-stealing) places I visited during my 6-month South America trip - so much that we returned during our trip.

Nestled in the Andes and surrounded by the Cordillera Blanca, Huaraz is the perfect base for high-altitude adventures, glacier lakes, and some of the most dramatic landscapes I’ve ever seen.

Where Is Huaraz and How Do You Get There?

📍 Location: Northern Andes, Peru

How to get there:

• From Lima: 8–10 hour night bus (comfortable and budget-friendly). Buy ticket at the bus station or through the app RedBus (fair prices and only a bit more expensive than the bus station).

• From Trujillo or other northern cities: regional buses available.

The Best Hikes Around Huaraz

Here are all the hikes that I did and why you should go.

Laguna 69

Picked up before sunrise by our guides, we squeezed into a minivan with a small group of travelers and drove into the mountains. At the trailhead, the guides served breakfast as the sky lightened — quick, warm, and exactly what we needed.

The climb is steep and steady. Altitude bites early. When Laguna 69 finally appears — turquoise under sharp, snow-capped peaks — talking feels unnecessary. We sat by the shore and ate the lunch the guides provided, catching our breath in the thin air.

I’m glad we chose the panoramic route over the classic out-and-back. Guided all the way, we traversed varied landscapes and finished at a different trail end, which turned the day into a true crossing rather than a repeat. More views, less retracing — and a better sense of the Cordillera Blanca as a whole.

• Distance: 13 km (in total)

• Altitude: 4.600 m

• Guide needed: Not necessarily. However, it was what we did as we wanted the Panoramic Tour. I can recommend Akilpo Hostel - they also arrange transportation.

• Transportation time one-way: ~ 3 hours

Laguna 69

Nevado Mateo

Nevado Mateo was the hardest thing I did around Huaraz. Only six kilometers, but on snow, with crampons strapped to my boots and an ice axe in my hand. It wasn’t glamorous — every step was a fight against thin air — but the summit moment is burned into me. Looking down on the Cordillera Blanca from above the clouds, I felt as though I had been given a glimpse behind a curtain. Brutal, yes. But unforgettable.

• Distance: 6 km (loop)

• Altitude: 5.150 m

• Guide needed: Yes, requires gear and a guide (Akilpo was also fantastic here and is included transport).

• Transportation time one-way: ~ 2 hours

The top of Nevado Mateo

Laguna 513

If Laguna 69 is the headline act, Laguna 513 should be the sub headline. Few people make it here, which means the silence is deeper, the air feels cleaner, and the lake itself — framed by steep cliffs — has a raw, untouched beauty. We walked for hours without meeting another hiker. At the lake, it was just us and the sound of wind across the water. I remember thinking it looked like a place Tolkien would have invented.

• Distance: 12 km (loop)

• Altitude: 4.400 m

• Guide needed: Not necessarily. We didn't have that.

• How to get there: Colectivo from Huaraz to Carhuaz. Ask your hostel for guidance.

• Transportation time one-way: ~45 min

Laguna 513

Laguna Churup

Churup is often called an acclimatization hike, but that description undersells it. Yes, it’s shorter than the others, but it packs a surprise: two steep rock face where you pull yourself up with a fixed rope. One midways to the lake, which me and my friend did. It was manageable. For the second one we skipped the rope and went by a path - it was an option. The lake itself was a perfect mirror, reflecting snowy ridges in still water. It felt like a reward earned the hard way.

• Distance: ~10 km (loop)

• Altitude: 4.450 m

• Great warm-up before harder hikes.

• Guide needed: Not necessarily. We didn't have that.

• How to get there: Colectivo from Huaraz to Pitec trailhead. Ask your hostel for guidance.

• Transportation time one-way: ~40 min (be aware when you will head back to Huaraz, that the colectivo will not dive before it's filled up).

Laguna Churup

Wilcacocha – A Gentle Beginning

Every hiker in Huaraz needs a first step, and Wilcacocha is just that. The trail winds past potato fields, wandering sheep and pigs, and locals at work in their small plots. You pass through a tiny village where children wave and dogs trot alongside for a while, before the path climbs gently higher.

The lake itself is small and unassuming, but the reward lies in the panorama of the Cordillera Blanca stretching across the horizon.

With this trails It’s less about the destination and more about the rhythm of the walk — a gentle way to acclimatize and a glimpse of the mountain grandeur that awaits.

• Distance: ~6 km (loop)

• Altitude: 3.700 m

• Perfect for acclimatization

• Guide needed: Not necessarily. We didn't have that.

• How to get there: Colectivo toward Puente Santa Cruz. Ask your hostel for guidance.

• Transportation time one-way: ~20 min

The top of the hike in Wilcacocha

Laguna Llaca

Laguna Llaca is less visited, and the road to get there is an adventure in itself. The trail winds through a narrow valley until the glacier-fed lake appears, cold and still. Not as famous, but absolutely worth it and also great for acclimatizing.

• Distance: 10 km (loop)

• Altitude: 4.500 m

• How to get there: Book transportation through Akilpo Hostel as they gather people who want to go there in same colectivo.

• Transportation time one-way: ~60 min

Laguna Llaca

Laguna Tullpacocha

This hike felt endless but peaceful — a long, mostly flat walk through a broad valley with a small river running beside the trail. The landscape is wide open, and the mountains close in slowly as you move deeper into the valley.

Our plan had been to mountain bike the route, but with a flat tire on arrival, we ended up walking instead. It worked out fine, but I’d recommend starting earlier in the day — we made it back only after darkness fell, which made the return stretch more stressful than magical.

• Distance: 22 km (loop)

• Altitude: 4.250 m

• Guide needed: No.

• How to get there: By car or taxi from Huaraz to the trailhead in Huascaran National Park (~1.5 hours)

Laguna Tullpacocha

Read more

Which South America Hikes Are Worth Repeating? Here’s My Take

Why I Loved Akilpo Hostel

If you’re heading to Huaraz, I can’t recommend Akilpo enough. Even though we didn’t stayed at the hostel and we didn’t book tours through them, they helped us plan, gave us free onboarding, and shared a virtual trail map that showed exactly how steep, rocky, or exposed each hike would be.

• Friendly staff

• Fair prices

• Transparent info

• No pressure to book

• Great for both guided and DIY hikers

Beyond Hiking: Other Adventures in Huaraz

Huaraz is known for its hikes, but the mountains aren’t the only way to feel the outdoors here. Between climbing cliffs, biking valley roads, and soaking in hot springs, you can easily fill your days with more than trekking.

Rock Climbing with Andean Climbing

One of my favorite non-hiking days was spent climbing. We booked a private instructor through Andean Climbing, met outside their center in town, and then walked together to a nearby climbing spot.

It was straightforward, fun, and surprisingly accessible. The instructor was patient, explained everything clearly, and gave just the right amount of encouragement without pushing too hard. Even as a beginner, I felt safe and supported the whole time.

Mountain Biking in the Andes

Huaraz is also a base for mountain biking, and we gave it two tries with local friends.

The first time, we rented bikes in the city center — and learned a valuable lesson: always ask who covers damages before you sign off. One bike had a flat tire before we even started, and the rental shop wanted us to pay for it. Thanks to our friend helping us with the conversation, we didn’t. Next time, I’d definitely rent through a hostel instead for clearer terms.

Our plan had been to bike the route toward Laguna Tullpacocha, but with the flat tire, we walked it instead. The trail would have been a little challenging for me as a total beginner, but still manageable. Transport is another factor — our friend had a truck for the bikes, but otherwise, you’ll need a taxi or Uber willing to carry them and arrange a pickup afterwards.

The second time, we followed AN-750 for a long stretch. This was on another level: steep climbs that had me gasping after only seconds, even though I’d already spent months in altitude. Still, with breaks and some stubbornness, we made it through — and it ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences of my time in Huaraz.

Hot Springs

After days of hiking and biking, the hot springs around Huaraz are a welcome relief. The most popular is Baños Termales Monterrey, just outside the city. I didn’t personally go there (I went with friends to a different set of springs by private car), but the idea is the same: warm mineral water pools surrounded by mountains, perfect for tired legs.

Where to Stay in Huaraz

• Budget and where we stayed: Montañero Hostel ran by a family and volunteers (helpful staff, very flexible, breakfast included). We stayed here both times because of the friendliness. Not the best locationwise or you want a full furnished room - there is literally just a bed, but at least we had our own bathroom.

• Mid-range: Akilpo & Selina Huaraz (stylish, social)

The Best Restaurant in Huaraz: Hierba Buena

I loved the Peruvian food in general, but if you only eat out once in Huaraz — make it Hierba Buena (Instagram link). This place was hands-down one of the best restaurants I visited during my entire 6-month trip through South America.

We ended up there more than once, and every meal was a hit. The food is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented — but still affordable. It’s the kind of place where you can eat healthy, hearty, and happy.

Why I Loved It

• Cozy, welcoming atmosphere

• Creative, nourishing peruvian dishes (not just the usual backpacker fare)

• Super friendly staff

• Ask for a guinea pig burger even thought it’s not on the menu!

Tip: It’s popular, so go early or be ready to wait a bit. Totally worth it.

Tasty guinea pig burger in Hierba Buena

Final Thoughts

Huaraz wasn’t just a stop on my route. It became a place I measured other destinations against. The hikes were tough, yes — but every climb came with the kind of beauty that stays with you long after you’ve left. We even came back a second time, which says everything.

If you love mountains, adventure, and trails that challenge you as much as they reward you, Huaraz deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Tip: Download offline maps before heading out. In the mountains, signal disappears quickly.

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