Plantilla:Province by Nilhue
From the parking lot on the south bank of the Mapocho (km 0 - 1020m) you must take the clear path that goes along the northern slope of the hill. After a short walk, you reach an area with rocks equipped with chain handrails, which facilitates the passage. The footprint begins to ascend until it meets a wide path (km 0.5), built for the installation of high voltage towers, and that forms the mountain bike route La Ermita-San Carlos de Apoquindo . This is the most confusing stretch of the route: take the path of the towers for only 100 meters. A fence is passed, and immediately afterwards take the path that goes up.
At km 1.0, you get to a kind of viewpoint without infrastructure that gives us a break in the climb, and that allows you to contemplate the landscape that is revealed to the north. The road continues to rise and takes the south and south west direction. After 300 meters you will reach the Vallecitos / Cerro Provincia fork (km 1.3 - 1300m). You must take the branch on the right to continue the ascent. Otherwise, you will arrive at the pleasant sector of Vallecitos, a classic place for camping and the practice of walking techniques.
At km 1.9 (1470m) you reach the irrigation canal. It is the last place to obtain water. From here the road passes by the edge of the hill, on occasions the road is divided into branches that later come together. The important thing is to stay on the edge and not descend into the valley.
At km 3.7 (1863m) you reach the famous Alto del Naranjo. It is the term of the edge. It has reached the top of a small hill topped with a large quillay that gives the sector its name. It is a good place to take a break sheltered by the generous shade of the noble tree.
From this point, there are 460 more meters of walking almost flat in direction until connecting with the path that comes from the West, that is born in San Carlos de Apoquindo (km 4,15, - 1844m).
Continue straight to the South. The next two kilometers are relatively fast and pleasant, since the path is rather flat, with some ups and downs, and a nice view towards Santiago.
At km 8 (2125m) this north-south edge ends, which we have been following, and turns east to ascend the slope that leads directly to the top of Cerro Provincia. From this point to the top, the path is only up, and always very clear. While some secondary branches appear here and there, sooner or later they all converge on the main route. At km 8.5 (2595m) a small rocky pass is reached. It is the only section with some degree of difficulty. You have to de-scale about three meters from a rock face. It is a very simple climb, which should not limit anyone, except those people with some physical impairment.
At km 8.8 you reach the false summit. The true top is 300 meters ahead by a flat path and without difficulty, which is reached at km 10.9, at an altitude of 2750m. From this point, you get a great panorama of the Central Andes, especially the lead massif) and the ski resorts. One hundred meters east, there is a Protege Project dome, which welcomes and can be used to spend the night.
