Route: Cerro Pochoco

Submitted by Chris Madrid on Tue, 09/29/2026 - 01:38pm
Location
Metropolitana de Santiago, CL
Distance
2.25 km
Vertical Gain
800 m
Description

A beautiful mountain in the foothills of the Andes located in the municipality of Lo Barnechea.

The official trailhead begins at El Observatorio, an entrance that, unfortunately, as of October 2026, is closed. However, along the same street, about 100 meters further down, there is an unofficial entrance that provides access to the trail.

Although there are several forks along the way, the main trail is fairly well marked and winds through sclerophyllous forest and some rocky sections, climbing steadily the entire way.

The trail shows significant erosion, which is especially evident during the descent, where you must pay close attention to avoid slipping and tripping.

Before reaching the rock climb, you’ll come across the famous “Smile”, an emoji formed by rocks that has become one of the trail’s signature landmarks.

Next comes the rock climb. It isn’t particularly technical, and the route is fairly well marked, so with caution, you can navigate it without major difficulty.

Finally, at the summit, you’ll find a commemorative plaque and a spectacular 360° viewpoint. From there, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the great Andes Mountains and the city of Santiago.

A beautiful route in the foothills of the Andes, featuring forest, rock, a challenging ascent, and, as a reward, a spectacular view from the summit.

GPS Track