Canoitas(edit)

Overview

Cerro Canoitas is a small summit at the border of the Chilean Andes, offering views on the first line of high peaks such as La Paloma, Altar, El Plomo, as well as views over the Santiago capital. The big advantage of this one-way hike is its wilderness offer despite its proximity to the city. But as always with Santiago’s hike, elevation gain is big and the ground very dusty. Prefer to do it at the first moments of spring to enjoy some green nature, as well as beautiful snowy landscape over the big mountains in the surroundings.

You can see the climb in three parts, almost exactly of the same length. The first climb is steep with small trees bringing some kind of shade, leading you to a plateau. The plateau is a good camping options for a first time with kids as it is close to the car. Then you have a second climb, smoother leading you to a more alpine setting. The last section is exposed to winds and the ground is less stable but still safe to walk.

Descent is the same way. It is possible to link ridges to get to Pochoco summit or Cortadera summit. No fee or permit required.

Getting Started

To get there you need to take from Santiago the ‘Camino A Farallones’ until the bifurcation where you need to go left at ‘Camino la Disputada’ when the right road will take you to the village of Farallones. Camino la Disputada has no pavement but there is no need for a 4 × 4 kind of car as a mining company does the maintenance on a regular basis. At some point of the road, a little after the electric station, you will find the start of the hike on your left, where there is a parking spot for few cars, easily recognized by a remembering token. From the parking lot, you will also find a door normally open marking the starting point of the trail. In case there is no space left in the parking lot, continue the road few hundred metres until the next left curve, where there is another space on your right. No public transportation can bring you here except taxis. Uber drivers are generally OK to get there.

Taking Children

4/10 - Children can safely do the hike but be careful as there is almost no shade, no water and the elevation gain to length ratio is steep for small legs. There are no limitations for baby carrier backpack except parents' fitness (no tree or bushes to block the way, and no need to put hands on the ground). Children could be interested in the challenge and to discover their first alpine like environment.