Cerro Manquehue: A Steep Scramble above Santiago

Southern Chile might get all the hiking hype (hello, Patagonia), but don’t sleep on Santiago’s backyard. If you’re craving a quick escape from the city’s buzz, Cerro Manquehue delivers. Located just outside downtown, this steep and dusty trail rewards your effort with sweeping views over Santiago and beyond.

Trail Info

Trailhead Name	Sendero Manquehue
Distance	3 miles / 4.8 km (out and back)
Estimated time	2-3 hours
Elevation gain	1,800 ft / 550 m
Highest point	5,374 ft / 1,638 m (Cerro Manquehue)
Permits / fees	None
Parking	Off shoulder
Toilets?	No
Dog friendly?	Yes

Know before you go

Expect smog. Santiago sits in a valley, and poor air circulation traps pollution. Try to go after a rain since visibility is way better.
This trail is steep, dusty, and slippery. Loose dirt and rock make both the climb and descent tricky. Ironically, a little moisture actually helps with traction.
Getting to the trailhead can be confusing. It’s tucked into a residential area at the top of windy Vía Roja. Driving or rideshare is best. Public buses drop you off far from the trailhead, but unless you want to tack on extra miles, skip it.
Trail navigation isn’t obvious. There are markers, but they’re inconsistent, and some tempting side paths can throw you off. Still, with the peak in view and frequent foot traffic, it’s unlikely you’ll truly get lost.

Alternate trails and starting points

Manquehue Golf Club Route

Distance: 3.8 miles (6.1 km)

Elevation gain: 2,100 ft (640 m)

Details: Longer, steeper option farther from Santiago.

Cerro Manquehuito

Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km)

Elevation gain: 850 ft (26o m)

Details: Starts at the same trailhead but offers a more mellow climb with similar views.

The Trail

If you’re driving, here’s what parking looks like. You’ll walk just a few minutes before reaching the opening in the fence. This marks the official start.

Shortly after, you’ll hit an info board with a trail map that helps orient you. It’s basic, but useful.

And we’re off! First surprise: wild horses. They kept to themselves, but definitely not something you see on your average U.S. hike.

The first section is mellow. It's a dirt trail with a gradual incline and some loose rock. As mentioned, trail markers are sparse, and side trails pop up occasionally. But even when I veered off, I quickly reconnected with the main trail. Risk of getting lost? Low.

If you ever doubt your path, just look up. That peak right there is Cerro Manquehue. We’re headed up the right-hand side. Hope you’re ready to sweat.

Here’s where the Cerro Manquehuito split happens. It follows the same path for a while before diverging here. Veer left to stay on the steeper Manquehue route

And then the real work begins. The grade on this trail averages almost 40%! That’s over 1,000 ft per half mile (~380 m per km). Add in loose, dusty terrain and you’ve got a serious uphill battle. But hey, the views make for great rest excuses.

Looking up, it can feel never-ending. There are a few false summits to mess with your morale, too. Just stay steady and keep climbing.

You’ll spot the occasional marker showing the main route, but honestly, it’s pretty intuitive once the climbing begins. Just go up.

After the steepest section, the trail flattens briefly. Push on a little further and you’ll hit the true summit.

Cerro Manquehue summit. Even with haze, you can see clear out west toward the coast. Somewhere out there we’d enjoyed some killer Chilean wine the day before.

And looking east, you get a sense of just how massive the surrounding Andes peaks really are. The smog can’t hide that kind of scale.

For a hike this close to Santiago, it really checks all the boxes—physical challenge, sweeping views, and even some wildlife. Now time to descend, rinse off all that dust, and go crush some empanadas.

SS Reflections

Whenever I travel internationally, I find myself pulled toward major cities. They are full of great food, rich history, and a cultural lens that’s always unique. But a few days in, I start feeling antsy. I need to hit a trail.

Finding a summit hike like this, right on the edge of Santiago, was a gift. It reminded me that wherever I go, I’ll always be chasing that next peak. And sometimes, it’s the trails just outside the city that leave the biggest impression.

Other Helpful Resources

French Pressed Kitchen and Lauren on Location's writeups of the trail