4355 m a.s.l.
Laguna Huallcacocha
10 km Distance
600 m Elevation gain
3h Duration
Moderate Difficulty
Recommended
May–Septemberbut it can be done all year round.
Ideal for
discovering a little-visited lake
Access
Tour, private car or shared minibus + taxi.How to get there
From Huaraz
Travel towards Carhuaz, then towards Punta Olímpica through quebrada Ulta, until you reach the area below Huallcacocha (shortly after passing the National Park checkpoint).
2h
Approximately, by car, passing villages and communities.
Quebrada Ulta
The route is part of Parque Nacional Huascarán.
Start of the trek
Begin the approximately 1-hour-30-minute hike to the lake.
Description
Laguna Huallcacocha is one of the Cordillera Blanca's lesser-known lakes, offering a peaceful experience.
At the start of the hike, you must cross the plain and the river. There are two options: an improvised crossing, or a sturdier bridge that requires a small detour and lengthens the route. After crossing, the trail follows the river and begins zigzagging up the other side of the valley.
As you gain height, the trail enters a queñual forest. The landscape becomes increasingly rugged and the views open over laguna Huallcacocha, a glacial lake with intensely turquoise waters. From here, there are direct views of Hualcán and Ulta.
Flora and fauna
- Queñual trees
- Quishuares
- Pine trees
- Mosses and lichens
- Ichu
- Andean flowers such as shallga
- Cultivated fields
- Andean foxes
- Vizcachas
- Caracaras
- Condors
- Livestock
Recommendations
Hiking shoes
Cap or hat
Sunglasses
Warm jacket
Rain jacket
Sunscreen
Water
Snacks and/or lunch
Map
Map of Laguna Huallcacocha
GPS track to be added.
Trails can change. Do not use this space as a navigation guide.
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