Yesterday we laid our hands on a printed copy of the ‘Ciudad de Valparaiso’ Heritage Routes, edited by the Government of Chile. The amount of detail, the pictures and the selection of Valparaiso’s cultutral heritage are impressive. This booklet is a must have for city explorers and is a free download. Visit the website of the Ministerio de Bienes Nacionales and click ‘bajar PDF’ on number 24. Unzip, print it, come to Valparaiso and walk, walk, walk.
If the hills of Valparaiso inspire you to do some serious trekking or climbing then Cerro La Campana (1.880 m) is a perfect destination for an active and adventurous day trip. La Campana is a national nature reserve at an hour’s drive from Valparaiso. The metro’s terminal – Limache station- is just a few kilometres away from the park’s South entrance. Charles Darwin climbed La Campana in 1834 and a plaque, halfway up, honours his memory. The 4 hour ‘sendero andinista’ takes you through a variety of unique landscapes and the 7km trail should not be underestimated. On the top you will admire the Aconcagua (Andes, Argentina) in the distance. Cerro La Campana is steep and the trip is intense. Bring water, trekking shoes, sunscreen and appropriate clothing (layers) with you.
