The Most Epic Hikes to Take in Lima, Peru

Miraflores, Lima
Miraflores, Lima | © Christian Cruzado / Flickr
Brandon Dupre

Some may imagine Lima as a concrete jungle with swarming cars that constantly honk while stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic; or maybe they think of it as a city with beautiful colonial architecture – which are both true. But not many people would think of Lima as being a great place to hike. If you know where to look, however, Lima has some great hiking in some of the world’s most unique landscapes. Here are some hikes you can take in Lima to help burn off all that fresh ceviche you’ve been eating.

Lomas de Lucumo

Unknown to tourists and not frequented by locals, Lomas de Lucumo makes for the perfect escape from the chaos of Lima. Not only will you find craggy rocks surrounded by a verdant landscape, but you there are also Inca ruins to be explored.

A view of the Andes

Palakala Falls

Markawasi (or Marcahuasi)

The enchanting stone forest in the Andes, which some believe was created by aliens, is only a half-day trip from Lima. You’ll travel from the Pacific Coast to thousands of meters above sea level, so caution is needed when hiking to avoid altitude sickness. If you decide to hike from the little pueblo San Pedro de Casta, you can take horses, and then it’ll be about a four- to five-hour hike, one of the most unique in the Lima area.

Markawasi

Las Lomas de Lachay

A couple hours from Lima lies the Chancay district, where you’ll find a surprising amount of greenery. The area offers a unique perspective on the different ecospheres of Peru: right next to the desert are bright-green forests. This diversity is one of the things that makes Peru such a remarkable country.

Chorrillos Cristo

If you look up to the south, you’re bound to spot it, arms spread on top of a barren hill in Chorrillos. The white statue of Christ looks over the city of Lima and makes for a fun hike or run to the top, rewarding your efforts with one of Lima’s best views. The area isn’t the safest, so leave your valuables at home.

The Miraflores boardwalk

El Malecón

So, this is not exactly a hike, but it’s so beautiful that it has to be mentioned. Take a stroll down one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in all of Peru. On one side is the sparkling Pacific Ocean, while the other is flanked by luxury apartments and restaurants.

Parque el Olivar

If it makes you feel better, you can get away with wearing your hiking gear here, but it’s not necessary. If you want to find some greenery in Lima, this is your place, as it’s one of the greenest in the city, with the most trees. It’s perfect for a run or a walk, or maybe you could go just to escape the noise and concrete of the city for a while.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
close-ad
Edit article