«We spent the day on the mountain top, and has never seemed the shortest time, Chile stretches at our feet like a panorama, immense limited by the Andes and the Pacific Ocean.»

– Charles Darwin from the summit of La Campana mountain.

We will revive the expedition that Darwin did over 180 years ago. The hike starts at the entrance of La Campana National Park in the southern sector of El Granizo, accessed through the town of Olmué (Region of Valparaiso), where we begin the ascent of La Campana by taking the path of “El Andinista» that goes through a perennial forest represented by boldos (Peumus boldus), litres (Lithraea caustica), bellotos (Beilschmiedia miersii) molles (Schinus latifolius) and canelos (Drimys winteri).

After walking around two hours the vegetation opens allowing us to admire the surrounding landscape and a subtle marine presence from the western horizon. Oak trees (Nothofagus macrocarpa) come into scene as we ascend by a meandering path.

At 1,260m (4,150ft) ASL, we will find an old quartz mine located in an open area, good time to rest and replenish energies for the second tranche. The last hour is more demanding, the slope increases and we start feeling tired as we approach the summit through granite rocks, finally reaching an elevation of 1,920m (6,300ft).

La Campana is one of the highest mountains in the Coastal Range, and its summit, one of the best places to see the country in these latitudes, with the imposing Andes Range to the east and the Pacific Ocean westward. Within this large field we can observe mount Aconcagua, the highest of America! and coastal cities like Valparaíso and Viña del mar.

Summary

  • Activity: Hike – Ascent
  • Tour length: Full day
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Season: All year round
  • Total distance*: 10.8km (6.7mi)
  • Elevation gain: 1,450m (4,750ft)
  • Max elevation: 1,920m (6,300ft)
* Back and forth

Price Per Person

PAXUSD
4 +160
3180
2220
1330

Itinerary

  • 07:30 Pick up at your hotel
  • 09:15 Start of the ascent
  • 11:00 Rest near the quartz mine
  • 13:00 Summit and lunch!
  • 13:30 Descent
  • 17:30 Ride back to Santiago
  • 19:30 Back in your hotel

Includes

  • Guide ENG / ESP
  • Transport
  • Box lunch: one sandwich and a large salad; cereal bar, chocolate and cookies; tea, coffee and isotonic drink; two fruits and water.
  • Tel. signal most of the route
  • First aid kit
  • Park entrance fee
  • Trekking poles

Not included:

  • Accident insurance
  • Personal clothing

Recommendations

  • Pre-hydration and good breakfast
  • Hiking shoes
  • Short feet nails
  • Long sleeves shirt if possible
  • Shorts on spring / summer
  • Hut and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Warm and windproof jacket for summit

What they've said

The interpretation of the ecology of the area was amazing and we even saw a gray fox on the summit! Oh, and the summit is worth the consistently uphill but not too difficult hike! Views from the Pacific ocean, to the Andes including the inspirational Aconcagua!

Courtney B / Oregon, USA

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La Campana from different angles.

Views from the top / More pics Oct 2nd 2015