'Trekking': The right time for trekking is between October and May. Ideal in November and December
'Randonnée': Between June and late September. Even then, depending on the year and the last snowfall, it may well be necessary to load the skis along the first installment.
Access
By car
Map trekking the Glacier access to San Francisco. The start of the trek is marked with a red star (bottom right). Map. Image: Department of Roads
From the intersection at las Vizcachas (Avenida Camilo Enríquez and Avenida Eyzaguirre, km 0), take the road G-25 towards Cajón del Maipo, and follow it until km 65.1 (asphalt ends in the km 66.3 just before Lo Valdés) where there is a bifurcation. To the left, it leads to Baños Morales along a dirt road, located on the other side of the El Volcán river. Between June and September this road might be closed if there have been recent snowstorms. You can check the road status with Carabineros at San Gabriel (+56228611008 y +56228612290) although their answers tend to be on the conservative side. bifuración You should take that right, cross the river and then climb a rough but short climb to the village. Once there is parking (the parking of buses is a good place) and walk to CONAF, located west of the village, across the estuary.
Public transport and hitchhiking
Profile altitude trekking. The vertical scale is increased
Public busses to Cajón del Maipo
Public busses (subsidized): El Alfalfal – San José de Maipo; Baños Morales (Lo Valdés) – El Volcán – San José de Maipo and El Volcán–San José de Maipo cost CLP$1200 (US$ 1.2 as of November 2026). It can cost as little as $300 for shorter distances.
Turmaipo: From October to January first, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Daily in January and February. Departures at 7:30 AM and from Baños Morales at 18:000. It departures from Terminal de Metrobuses Bellavista de la Florida, platform E, or from Las Mercedes (Puente Alto) around 7:50. In San José de Maipo at about 8:35, to finally reach Baños Morales around 10:15. CLP$8000 (US$ 8.1 as of November 2026) round trip to Baños Morales, cheaper for shorter distances. Phone: +56228424208, +56222830082, +56228611518, cell +56982896718
Baños Morales: CLP$10000 (US$ 10.1 as of November 2026) round trip, per person, $12000 if you return a different day.
Embalse El Yeso: CLP$10000 (US$ 10.1 as of November 2026) per person
Turismo Arpue: CLP$10000 (US$ 10.1 as of November 2026) per person. Bookings at least 24 hours in advnace +56222117165 - +56226818475 cel: +56999320108
Archivo:Ruta glaciar san francisco.jpgRoute Glacier San Francisco Beginning of the trek (40 min)View of the Valley of the Waters of Panimávida. Photo taken on the return walk from north to south
From CONAF, the route climbs steeply for about 45 minutes. The trail enters the valley, crossing several times an old vehicular road that zigzags. After about an hour, once the path has traced the initial moraine, the valley narrows and appear Panimávida Waters, a plain with wells of mineral water. Thereafter, the slope decreases, and the path continues northwards, with the impressive south face of purple as a backdrop. After about two hours from mineral water, is reached Laguna de Morales (often mistakenly called "Purple Lagoon." For this gap, see Glaciar del Morado). It's a nice destination, but it is advisable to continue another hour north, approaching the base of the glacier San Francisco. The trail is somewhat less clear, the slope increases and is more likely to find snow patches in this way when going in November or December.
Expected Time
At a normal pace, this trek should take about 4 hours between CONAF and the viewpoint of the glacier. However, what is meant by "viewpoint" is not a defining point, but rather an area.
Permits / Fees
South wall of the Purple
This trek required to pay the entrance to the Morado Natural Monument. This amounts to $ 1,500 per person (CONFIRMED THIS VALUE).
Recommendations
To climb the Mirador del Morado, the south face of Mount San Francisco or the difficult south face of Purple, we recommend looking Andeshandbook respective routes:
Montaña Nativa: Tailored tours, 2 day treks, hot springs, Glaciers, ascents and road trips. Experienced guide with a degree from Escuela Nacional de Andinismo Chileno and ornithology. Ethical and ecological vision. TripAdvisor certificate of excellence 2015.
AndesBrown: Hikes and excursions in Chile's central mountains. Guided tours, certified guides
Phone +56988382014.
Cajonoutdoor: Treking, horse back, and excursions in all of Cajón del Maipo. Passenger transport to and from the hotel/airport/chosen destiny. Bilingual local guides.
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