The three walks
The flat loop
From the chain, a short walk brings you to the bottom of the valley, and the loop follows the base of the spires on mostly level ground. Twenty minutes, dust and stones underfoot, needles towering on both sides. This is the walk for the first day at altitude, for children from about six, and for anyone who wants the view without the climb. Every one of our tours does at least this.
The climb to the main viewpoint
The path leaves the loop and climbs the slope between the spires: about 25 minutes uphill at a slow pace, on loose ground with a few exposed steps, to the ridge. From the top you see both walls of the valley, the riverbed between them, and La Paz in the distance. On our tours the walk up and back is 4 to 5 km in total and takes an hour and a half to two hours with stops — this is the sunrise, sunset and day-tour route.
The full circuit
About 10 km and 640 m of climb, following the ridge and dropping back through the gullies: four to four and a half hours for people who hike regularly. Unmarked, exposed in places, and at almost 4,000 m throughout. It is the walk for the second visit, or for the traveller who arrives fit and acclimatized. We do it privately, with the vehicle meeting you where the trail ends.
Pace
The valley is about 300 m higher than the center of La Paz. Whatever the trail, walk slower than feels natural, drink before you are thirsty, and say something at the first headache. On our tours the guide sets the pace to the slowest person — and carries oxygen.
