El Morado Glacier hike: practical guide and our experience in Cajon del Maipo

Santiago is a bustling city, but the real magic of Chile begins just outside the city limits. Less than a three-hour drive will take you to the heart of the Andes, surrounded by glaciers, turquoise lakes, and rugged peaks. The hike to the El Morado Glacier is one of the most beautiful day trips you can take from the capital. This hike is easy to do on your own without a guide. All you need is a (rental) car.

Driving into the Andes

On a Saturday morning, we left Santiago for a day in the mountains. We had found a route online to the El Morado Glacier, deep in the Monumento Natural El Morado. The drive took over two and a half hours and took us through the Cajon del Maipo, an impressive gorge with rivers, small villages, and increasingly rugged mountain peaks. The further we drove, the emptier it became.

Along the road, we noticed many small memorials. They were filled with flowers, photos, and sometimes stuffed animals. Out of curiosity, we later looked up what they meant. That's how we discovered the story behind the animita. An animita is a small sacred house on the spot where someone died suddenly, often in a traffic accident or a fall in the mountains. According to Chilean folklore, the soul remains there. People believe that this soul can offer protection or help with personal wishes. That is why passers-by leave candles, notes, and small gifts. Animitas of young people in particular are often lavishly decorated, as they are seen as powerful souls.

The last few kilometers to the park

Near the end of the route, the asphalt turned into a bumpy dirt road. Our car wasn't really made for this terrain, so we drove on carefully. At a large parking lot, we wondered whether we should stop here, but according to the navigation system, the official starting point was still a few kilometers away. A local reassured us and said we could just keep driving. That turned out to be a good choice. After about fifteen minutes, we reached the park entrance.

Here we paid the entrance fee. It was 10,000 Chilean pesos for the car and 5,000 pesos per person. Then there was a short drive to the actual start of the trail. It was nice to be able to park so close to the start, especially with the long day ahead of us.

The hike to the El Morado Glacier

GPX track available for download here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/chile/santiago/glaciar-el-morado

The trail follows a wide glacial valley with rugged rock faces and small flowing rivers. Above us, we saw the snow-capped peaks of Cerro El Morado, among others, more than 5,000 meters high. The landscape felt vast and empty, just as you would hope in the Andes.

After a few hours of walking, the glacier loomed up, bright blue and hanging from the mountainside. The lake below it had a milky green color.

The route to this viewpoint is 14 kilometers in total, 7 kilometers there and 7 back. You climb about 700 meters. We did the outward journey in two hours, faster than expected.

A spontaneous climb to Cerro Union

At the lake, we saw a steep, rocky mountain next to us: Cerro Union. There is no official trail, but following in the footsteps of others, we followed a vague trail upwards. The climb went smoothly, but the higher we got, the more technical the terrain became. Just below the summit, we saw other people for the first time. They were wearing crampons and helmets and were tied together with ropes. That was the moment we decided to turn back. Without equipment, the last part didn't feel safe.

Still, it was worth it. From our highest point, we had a beautiful view of the glacier and the lake. Then we began the long descent back to the valley.

Tired but satisfied

At the end of the day, we had covered 17 kilometers and climbed more than 1,100 meters. Including all the breaks, we had been on the road for eight hours. Around six o'clock, we reached the car, tired but energized by everything we had seen.

Finally: practical information for your visit

The hike to the El Morado Glacier is suitable for anyone in reasonable physical condition. The trail is clear and not technically difficult, although the altitude can make it more challenging. Leave early to avoid crowds and heat. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and warm clothing, as the weather can change quickly. A regular passenger car can reach the starting point, but driving slowly is not an unnecessary luxury.

If you are visiting Santiago and want to spend a day in nature, El Morado is the perfect escape from the city. It is a place where the Andes show their most beautiful side.