26
ediciones
Cambios
→Season 2025/26
Add a new log entry always on top in the appropriate season sub-chapter and use format:
<!-- IF YOU COPY FROM THIS EDITING VIEW, YOU NEED TO USE THIS TEMPLATE (* TRANSFORMS INTO BULLET, ''' MAKE IT BOLD):*''' Start Date to Finish Date (use Format YYYY-MMM-DD) / Duration in Days / Hiking or <span style="background-color:aqua;">Packrafting </span> / Travel Direction (SOBO for Southbound or NOBO Northbound) / Chosen Route and/or Option Name (RR for Regular Route) / Names or Alias'''--><nowiki>* '''</nowiki>'''Start Date to Finish Date (use Format YYYY-MMM-DD) / Duration in Days / Hiking or <span style="background-color:aqua;">Packrafting</span> / Travel Direction (SOBO for Southbound or NOBO Northbound) / Chosen Route and/or Option Name (RR for Regular Route) / Names or Alias'''<nowiki>'''</nowiki>
=Overview=
=Section Log, Alerts and Suggestions=
==Season 2025/26==
* '''GPT01 | 2025-11-28 to 2025-11-29 | 1,5 days | Hiking | SOBO | Option 3 (Filo Purgatorio) - Option 3B - Option 3D - RR | Michaela '''
Camp: -33.635701, -70.424136
Total: 27,85km, elevation gain: 2.120 m, elevation loss: 1.933 m
Attraction: 3/5, Difficulty 3/5
Transport: I took a Uber to Escuela Básica San Juan de Pirque and started from there
Comment: I would take 5-6 Liters water for the first day. I found water the next day around noon and it was very hot. I really liked my camping spot with an amazing view down to Santiago.
* ''' GPT01 2025-11-15 to 2025-11-16/SOBO/RR/option 3 (Filo Purgatorio)/option 3B/option3D/RR/Denis Rosa/ Robert Hanulík '''
We went to last metro station link 4 and hiked from there. Good to take more water (we took 5,5l). There is water at the end of the option 3 (Filo Purgatorio).
We slept -33.62636, -70.44757 here, beautiful spot on the ridge.
I would recommend to take optional routes instead of RR.
Attractiveness 3/5
Difficulty 3/5
* '''GPT01/ 04-11-2025 to 06-11-2025 / 2 days / Hiking SOBO/ Route: Option 3 (Filo Purgatorio)- Option 3B-Option 3D- RR / Combined GPT01 and GPT02 / AthenaJones
'''
Transport: I took the train to Plaza de Puente Alto then I took an Uber to the beginning of Option 3. I heard there is a bus MB73 instead of Uber or walking.
Recommendations: Taking around 6 liters of water from town. A bug net would be nice to carry. Highly recommend Option 3B- the route to Cerro Purgatorio. I think the route would have been boring without this option though it is a more demanding route to ascend.
==Season 2024/25==
* '''GPT02+01 / 2025-04-02 to 2025-04-06 / 4 days / NOBO / RR + OH-TL-V {02-C} + OH-TL-V {01-02} / Tim & Tobias '''
We combined GPT02 + 01 through the new option OH-TL-V {01-02} over the ridge and ended up in El Principal. It is a great option, especially going NOBO, because of the stunning view towards Santiago. Going SOBO can be difficult with water supply. We were also lucky with the heat and water supply, since it was snowing 4 days before departure. Did not meet anyone during the 4 days of hiking. For creators: Camp ? {02-C} [0.6/2646] could be shifted to -33.86167 -70.42479. It is much safer in terms of wind protection. More details on wiki.
Day 1: Took the bus from Coya to the RR and startet walking NOBO 23 km to Camp ? {02} [72.2/1736]. There was little water there. No more water on the trail.
Day 2: Walked 23 km to Camp {02-D} [1.3/2800] without difficulty’s. A lot of boring primary road walking and it was pretty hot.
Day 3: Walked 20 km to Camp ? {02-C} [0.6/2646]. The water in the river has a taste of iron. It's best to bring some water. Beautiful trail along the mountains, water at all spots.
Day 4: 30 km Trailwalking to El Principal. Last water on the at -33.83214 -70.49216. Before arriving at the main road, there is a black gate at -33.73666 -70.55370. We managed to open the gate by pushing it down a bit. Took the bus to puente alto where we stayed at “Alojamiento Puente Alto”.
* '''2025-03-23 to 2025-03-24 / 20 hours/ Hiking / SOBO / New option from El Principal via Cerro Papagayo and Cruzada Las Hormigas to RR/ Tomáš'''
There can be no GPT season without going to GPT01, it seems, though this was my last idea for now. This option provides a TL and CC alternative to running paralel to the road-based RR, especially if you do not insist on connecting footsteps and take the bus from Puente Alto. However of all the options I did on GPT01, I liked this one the least. Bear in mind I never walked the RR, as I do not like roads, and assume this is still far superior to RR. However, I quite liked the last 7 km or so. It is partially in our suggestion in the November update but hopefully will be part of GPT25/26.
I took the MB-74 from Puente Alto at 20:20 after waiting for it for 50 minutes, almost giving up. It was the last bus that Sunday. It took me to end of 01A here: -33.71013, -70.53235. At the end of the road, I met a slightly drunk local resident, who was surprised by me. I explained I was going to the mountains. He warned me that if I meet anybody, they might think I am a ghost (""fantasma") and shoot me. I did not point out ghosts cannot be shot. It was night - he said that during the day it would be ok, the riverbed is public. I was a bit spooked and walked afterwards without a headlamp to evade attention, but I did not meet anybody anyway. Judging from Strava, it would have been better to get out a few hundred metres earlier at -33.70930, -70.53656. I crossed the river bed and cut across to here: -33.70045, -70.5316, climbing over an easy fence. Both Strava and OSM show a lot of traffic and trails. Not sure what the right of access is, but I assume it is permissive. One walks through a tree plantation (or vinyard?) that diverts a lot of water from Rio Clarrillo (which was itself dry) for its use through a system of mighty ditches. I walked for almost 2 km through here -33.69468, -70.52804, going through and around two gates here: -33.69258, -70.52659 and finally fording here -33.68755, -70.52263. By now it was around ten, I started to go up on a steep trail that was mostly quite clear even with a headlamp until about 1400m of altitude, where I camped after midnight. I started late because of arriving late to Santiago and having a flight home booked in less than two days, but a late start might be advisable anyway to escape the heat.
The next day I started early continuing up on a maintained trail. Around 1900 m at -33.66986, -70.48218, there is a cave with a spring. In late march it wasjust a puddle that would need to be filtered, but maybe there is running water earlier in the season. Once up the ridge, the visible trail continues traversing and going up slightly to -33.66459, -70.46427. From there, a faint somewhat steep but not exposed trail with a cairn here and there leads you to the top of Cerro Papagayo. From there, a few hundred metres are a bit rocky and almost exposed, but I just used my poles for balance, I have never needed to use my hands. Traverse under Cruzada Las Hormigas and climbing it is very easy, mostly trailess. From there I started going down, here and there finding a trail. Around 2100 m at -33.67901, -70.41957, I traversed to a ridge on the other side of the trail. Some care was needed, but it was not exposed. This ridge can be followed all the way to RR. I left the ridge twice, seeking greener pastures/better trails, but that is pointless, from -33.67573, -70.41742, it is best to go down the ridge to -33.68415, -70.38865, where Strava marks begin. The MR on RR is actually more like TL&MR. It used to be a road thay served to build a gas pipe unser it. It is not used by cars and it is heavily eroded. Met water -33.68331, -70.38512. 20 uproad from the water, I joined Strava marks to find a CC&TL way to the other side of the creek, reaching variant E at -33.68189, -70.38373. I think upper part of variant E does not really exist, I could not find where it is supposed to join the RR from above and saw nothing from below. From here, I followed Strava and OSM down, RR does not seem to be picked very sensibly. I had a bath, the only time where there were many wasps. I saw a tent here and there and some rubbish. mamy trails. I reached the busy (5 cars a minute?) road around five, quickly hitching to San Jose de Maipo, from where a bus is said to go to Puente Alto every 20-30 minutes. It was a cold day. I took 4 litres with me and fruits and vegetables and drank 3 litres - might be much harder in high summer. Some plants were still blossoming.
* ''' 2025-FEB-27 to 2025-MAR-01 / 2 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Farah & Jan'''
This was our last section of the GPT. For now…
<br>We did it in one full day and two relaxed half hiking days. Camped at S 33°38.4840’ W 70°26.9562’ and S 33°40.3236’ W 70°23.5408’
<br>The last 5 kilometers of the ascent are pretty steep, as is the first part of the descent. Ways are in good condition and easy to follow. There’s not much vegetation.
<br>Found more water sources than expected. Note that last winter had a lot of snow, so you can’t rely on these water sources in low or average snow years. Here are a few of them:
<br>S 33°37.3970’ W 70°30.2264’
<br>S 33°37.8949’ W 70°29.4920’
<br>S 33°40.9963’ W 70°23.1090’
<br>S 33°40.3226’ W 70°23.5491’
<br>Like Arno we saw an incredible amount of wasps along the way, especially close to water sources. Unlike him we can’t confirm they do no harm. Farah got stung in her buttock, Jan in his penis. Be careful when peeing! Apart from that no incidents.
* ''' 2025-FEB-11 > 12 / 1,5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Arno'''
| Weather : sunny and hot
| water : easy
| snow : no
| Interest : 2/5
| Difficulty : 4/5
| Danger : none
The first part on the road is easy and with no interest.
Then the ascent was pretty steep and hard with the hot weather.
I camped at km 22 and finished the section the next day in the morning.
Note that there were a lot of wasps everywhere I paused. They’re not offensive but can be annoying.
* ''' 2024-12-07 to 2024-12-12 / 6 days / Hiking / SOBO / GPT02/RR+OH 02A / Dorota Szparaga '''
At the parking lot, I registered. Men took my passport number, name, and phone number. He was very polite. I followed OH-02-A and camped near parking tables -33.70160,-70.34792. Nice spot. I crossed the river using an installed rope. Water -33.72155, -70.34409 okay. Near the next point with water -33.74121, -70.35340, there is a fence to cross. Camp at -33.76414,-70.36564 where there is water. Bushwacking was not so bad. Good spot with water -33.79940,-70.38691 and -33.80875,-70.387783 (22.9 km). Next spot -33.81168,-70.38791 with water. Camp at 27.5 km okay. I found a cave for camp -33.843384, -70.41605. I crossed the river many times without problems (my height is 164 cm). Next spot with water -33.894417,-79.39042. Still, there is field snow, so spikes for safety are needed. I have met nice workers of Minas - they offered me some food:) At the end, I was without water. At the point of the control near Minas (94.7 parking), there is a bar for workers of Minas. There is everything there even
boiled eggs. They also allowed me to use their bathroom. In Coya, I have spent the night in Casa Roja near Ferreteria. I also tried sandwiches in the Catalan Bar - excellent.
* ''' 2024-12-04 to 2024-12-05 / 1.5 day / Hiking / SOBO / GPT01/RR+OH 01-03A+OH 01-03+RR / Dorota Szparaga '''
Starting OH 01-03A was complicated. I crossed the barbed fence and couldn’t find the river crossing at point -33.64140, -70.42944. I spent the night there and returned a little bit the next day to take the regular route.
* ''' 2024-01-03 to 2024-01-04 / 1.5 Days / Hiking / SOBO / RR and Variants F / Elijah & Michael '''
Very hot weather, over 30°. Water is available along the river from -33.62292, -70.50342 to bridge 18.7/1302. Thereafter only at waypoints.
Water not directly accessible from campsite 29.4/1415, had to walk to following bridge (29.7/1389). Bridge had possible room to camp.
* ''' 2024-NOV-27 > 28 / 1,5 jours / Randonnée / SOBO / RR / Pierre-Marie '''
Etape : GPT01+GPT02+GPT03
| Meteo : soleil
| Eau : facile
| Neige : non
| Intérêt : 1/5
| Difficulté : 5/5
| Danger : Autorisations de passage
La premier partie est routière et ne presente aucun interet. J'ai essayé de sortir de la route mais me suis retrouvé face a des portails fermés aux points (-33,6223657, -70,5335623) puis (-33,6129744, -70,5007311) pour enfin trouver un portail ouvert (-33,6110383, -70,4943554) car il y avait des travaux en amont. J'ai monté une pente tres raide en suivant une canalisation, puis j'ai suivi un bisse pour retrouver le sentier. La montée etait tres dure car le soleil tapait fort que je n'avais pas encore mes jambes pour cette premiere etape. J'ai campé juste avant le point haut de l'etape, pret d'un petit ruisseau. Le lendemain la descente etait facile.
* '''2024-NOV-20 to 2024-NOV-21 / 1,5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR + OH (var. A,C,D) / Ivan, Jakub, Daniel'''
We started our hike in the afternoon from the final metro station at Puente Alto. At the high gate with cameras at the beginning of Variant A, there was a car. After waiting a few minutes, the car drove through, and a kind man allowed us to pass as well. We spent the first night at the camp at km 16.2 . On the second day, it was very hot, which we especially felt during the climb to the pass [24.7 km]. The water marked in the files was indeed available there. In the evening, we reached El Melocotón. The store was officially open until 8:00 PM, but the owner was kind enough to keep it open longer for the people arriving late.
* '''2024-11-17 to 2024-11-19, 2,5 days, SOBO, gpt00?/01opt5? - Volker'''
I took the route Tomas suggested and highly recommend it to everyone new on the gpt and early in the season (check your gear, device/s, body on a very scenic route (95% TR, 3%CC, 2%MR); in summer probably very hot, in mid-november it was already quite warm in the lower parts).
The bus C02 does not bring you to the parque San Ramon (1km walk approx. in upper middle-class area), but C37 does. The gate was open, nobody there at 14 p.m. on a sunday. Last person I met was 30 min. before the waterfall. All descriptions of Tomas correct, except it‘s SOBO.
If you start late 2 p.m,) as I did, either camp at the waterfall or make sure to take enough water to camp 15min before you reach the 2nd river. The way down is steep and slippery. If you start early you will reach water at 2200 m and camp sites before or at the pass.
Up there very windy, but not too cold, protected camp site 10 min after you reach the pass. Part of the path covered by snow, you can bypass it on the eastern side. Ridge to Cerro San Ramon under snow, probably not to difficult (if you have crampons). 1 steep snowfield on the way down (I used it to try my mini spikes, which was not necessary in the early afternoon, but in the morning you will be very glad to have them). Camped not far from the puesto, didn‘t see anyone, just horses and barking dogs. The path to Rio Maipo valley crosses the river 8 times, fords mostly easy (though 2 far over my knees (1,97m), but one quite hard (I did. 15 min of CC and BB to find a place upwards)). Last 30 min MR. The road ends at a high gate (3m), no way around, the man in the container told me to take another way. I asked a local not far from there, he promised to help, told me to wait at the gate, in 3 min he arrived with his car and drove me down to El Manzano. I just got out of the car, when on the other side of the road a bus driving EABO stopped, I jumped in and got out at El Melocoton to continue with gpt 02 .
* '''2024-Nov-10 / Gate was open/Lukas & Tabea & Basil'''Gate was open
* '''2024-Nov-01 to 2024-Nov-03 / 2.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Lukas & Sarah'''
In the corner at -33.68293, -70.34715, turn on the horsepath. We therefore skipped Gate at 02 and walked out at -33.69654, -70.35062 and walked directly to the river crossing of Variant A.
The horsepath around the hill is in good condition but difficult to find.
* '''2024-Nov-01 to 2024-Nov-02 / 2 days / Hiking / RR / Sean & Neele'''
Combined sections 1 and 2 so can't comment resupply options
* '''2024-10-30 to 2024-11-01 / 2.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR -a- RR / Karin'''
==Season 2023/24==
* '''24-Mar-09 to 2024-Mar-11 / 42 hours / Hiking / NOBO SOBO / GPT00?, GPT01, option 5? / Tomáš'''
Not sure if on topic as it is technically east of Santiago and not south (but also not north!), but I thought I would share anyway. A nice trail that can be done around Santiago while waiting around. In my opinion, it also better fullfils "starting from Santiago on foot", as the current start involves quite a long stretch from Puente Alto on road. Here you start walking 100 m from bus stop (C-02, every ten minutes or so from Los Dominicos) integrated into Santiago's public transport system, or 5 km from Los Domincos terminus of the red metro line (but really, why would you not take the bus?). [https://www.facebook.com/groups/222224388283455/posts/1765972160575329/ Pictures].
Took same route as Matthias (Filo Purgatorio via the ridge). Not much to add apart from: it’s very hot and there’s no water up there anymore. First stream coming down was at 33.67175, 70.39274
* '''2023-Dec-24 to 2023-Dec-25 / 2 days / SOBO / RR and variant E / Matthieu'''
Variant : I followed chileans hikers on variant E to the nothern bank of the river el sauce (sendero estero el sauce on OSM, easily followed with the GPS). Seems funnier than the RR, you cross a nice pool. You have other trails to go down at the river and enjoy on the way.
All water markers are correct. Remember to bring enough water for the pass at water 18,7, it's really hot up there. Water 29,7 very good stream.
The end of the trail after is a big web of trail along the el sauce river, with places to bath and camp. So the water is not rare. Lots of hikers when I was there (25 december).
Camp : at bridge water 18.7.
Seems like lots of nice places after water 29,7 when you explore along the river.
Gate 11,2 : Not possible to go around, electrical and fence. It was opened by a person in a car after 5 minutes waiting. No question about my passage. I then crossed roads with an arriero with horses and another car, on 24th december. Seems like this trail is crowded, so the gate seems not to be a problem with patience.
The other gate is only for cars, way to go around as a hiker.
Other : crossed a snake in the middle of the trail. See my section 2 post for more infos.
No river crossings issues
* '''2023-Dec-5 to 2023-Dec-6/ 2 days / SOBO / OH & RR / Matthias'''
I then crossed the RR and went on option 02, the ridge walk to Cerro Purgatorio. I would say it is SAC 4 (somewhat easier than the ridge), I used hands but it was very easy and not exposed at all. Descent from Cerro Purgatorio was surprisingly beautiful with all the flowers (which were there all over the ridge too). Even going down, from about 1500, the heat was really strong. Would not recommend any of this from early January till end of february given there might be very little water. Perfect for December and earlier. I hope the ridgewalk is added to GPT. Every day, I would be able to get enough cell phone coverage to receive e-mails and chats but not much more.
* '''2023-Dec-06 / 1 day / Hiking / sobo / RR / Lilian'''
Long way going down with rocky dirt road, didn't see any people all the way to the end.
After you join the trail in valley, lot of camping spots you can find.
* '''2023-Nov-17 to 2023-Nov-19 / 1,5 days / Hiking / NOBO / RR & OH / Jens'''
Comment Jan Dudeck: I removed the southern ascent to the summit of Cerro Purgatorio. Now only the the ascent from the west remains in the track files.
* '''2023-Nov-11 to 2023-Nov-12 / 1,5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Yannick & Nolwenn '''
Started in Ramon Supercaseaux 8200 directly at the gate. Pretty hot below 2000m, siesta highly recommended. A lot of bees around everywhere except pass-area. No water in the first spot after the pass, you'll find it about 1-2 kms ahead. A local said that water was cut up there. Weekend with many tourists in Estero El Sauce Valley. Good Kiosk at the valley entrance. Took us 2 days.
* '''2022-Dec-04 / Hiking / SOBO / Option 1: Reserva Nacional Rio Clarillo / Tomáš'''
The route is quite attractive. Walking in the lower valley in the heat is really sweat inducing. It took me 1,5 days to go up to the border of the reserve, I was weak from not much sleep before and the heat. But also it is quite far and I have not started walking until six or so on the first day as I rested quite a few hours waiting for the heat to pass.
* '''2022-Nov-24 to 2022-Nov-26 / 2 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR + GPT01-F / Martin & Helena'''
Contact: @martin_hanzelka @helenneka
* '''2022-Nov-09 / Hiking / SOBO / Adrien Kunzli '''
Start at GPT 01-03 by the optional tracks ok. After the school you take the left road and almost immediately you have to pass under a fence on the left with a little hole.
Just after San José de Maipo the RR-MR-V (02) (3,6+0,4) at S33°41.069', W070°20.876' was denied to me by some conductors (private propriety). But te other optional road without passing the bridge works perfectly fine.
* '''2022-Okt-31 / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Yannic & Mirjam'''
For more stories of the trail, pictures, videos and in case you want to ask us anything you can find us on Instagram: @smallfootprint_bigadventures
* '''2021-Nov-09 to 2021-Nov-10 / 2 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Marc Anthony '''
It was difficult to access the start. At KM 16.5 on the road, RR-PR-V@01-6.9+4.3 & 700 metres further after the bridge, route sealed by two 15 foot high gates with spikes on top. No one there to ask to open them. Back on RR @ KM13, 2 locked gates. At OH-MR-V@01-A-#002 a resident let me through the locked gate. There is a new fence a little up the road that will probably close off this variant (I got in through a small unfinished section). It is very dry now so RR gates may be closed due to lack of water & fire risk. The only water on RR until 14KM after the pass is on section RR-MR-V@01-16.3+7.8 marked Bridge, Water on GPX, making a camp @ the site 15 mins. walk above (marked Camp No Water) highly advisable. Look for the gas pipeline, route follows it most of the way. Kiosk with drinks & snacks & campsite on the route 3KM before Melocoton are open all week in midsummer, weekends only in low season. No need to go to Melocoton. Get bus to Santiago @ road junction 500 metres down the road after bridge over Rio Maipo
* '''2019-Dec-13 to 2019-Dec-17 / 5 Days / Hiking / SOBO / GPT01 Option 1 and GPT02 / Ian Hikes '''
Highlights: High mountain passes and great open views (especially for sunrise and sunset)
* '''2019-Nov-27 / Hiking / SOBO / Family Size '''
There is plenty of water on the B alternet uphill. Almost at the top it tastes a bit like cow shit after filtering. There is a lot of OK water at the bottom of the downhill and quite a few tourists especially on weekends.
* '''2019-Nov-17 to 2019-Nov-18 / 2 days / Hiking / SOBO / Matus & Anna'''
We walked GPT01 in 2 days, including one nero day. We used uber to get to the trail, hope your driver won't be stupid enough to take shortcuts through slums :). There is a gate on the beginning of trail, after a "discussion" (we don't speak spanish) they let us go through. Climb was really hot, make sure you take enough water from the last source on the way up. There is water on the other side, but first marked water source didn't look the best. There is a river cutting a trail a bit down from that point. We stayed in a campsite on the begining of next section which was nice. They have really sticky ferral dogs there which we had a real problem to chase to not hike with us.
* '''2019-Nov-11 to 2019-Nov-13 / 3 days / SOBO / RR / Martina & Ivo'''
We went to Puente Alto and then Pirque by Uber. The drivers know where the protests take place and avoid those areas or areas which got recently destroyed.
* '''2019-Oct-27 / Alert / Jan Dudeck'''
Instead of deviating to El Melocotón, you can spend the night in Reserva Coyanco (camping, food, services), from where GPT02 starts. Just turn right at S33° 40.813' W70° 20.812'.
* '''2018-Dec-15 to 1018-Dec-16 / 1.5 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Austin Davis'''
https://her-odyssey.org/
* '''2017-Jan / Hiking / SOBO / GPT01 Option 1 Rio Clarillo & GPT02 / Gerald Klamer'''
==Regular Route==
No permit or entry fees apply to the regular route but a high gate was build in 2021. If the the gate at waypoint "X, Gate {01} [11.2/787]" is locked, continue 2.1 km on the main road and take Option 2 3 (Filo Purgatorio).
==Option 1 (Rio Clarillo)==